Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1872-11-22

The Montpelier Freeman, Hon. c. W
Willard paper, copies the first article of
the FREH Pass on this subject, which it is
pleased to characterize as " sensible and
forcible, and it adds the following Sensi-
bic and forcibe remarks
The occasion for any discussion Of this
subject, is furnished BY an article which ap-
peared last week in the Boston Irarcler
containing what purported TO be a voucher,
or statement of account by 10. ID. Hatch,
against the Trustees and Manager of the
Vermont Central Railroad, for expenses in
CURED in their business at Montpelier dur
the session of the Legislature in 1859. In
this voucher the railroad was charged with
the payment of $50 each to W VI. Pingry,
George \. Dale, J, L. Dickerman, and
George W. Hendee, who We're at that time
members of the State Senate. and TO J.. N.
Gleed who was then member OF the House
The inference drawn by the Irareh.r, and
which seems an unavoidable one, Is that
this money was paid and accepted as con-
sideration for the friendly influence of these
persons as members Of theState Legislature
OF course there ought to be, and we think
there can be. but one opinion as to the char
actcr of such q transaction. and that opin-
ion is well expressed by the Free Press. II
Is not only contrary to the letter and spirit
of the constitution, but it is destructive OF
every principle upon which honest leglsla-
ton is supposed to proceed, and would be
equally worth of condemnation were the
constitution entirely silent upon the -uh-
ject.
1t is. Of course. expected that Il represent
ative body will not be free from interest on
many questions which it Is to decide; III
fact il ought not TO be uninterested in any
thing. Ii is not possible either that the
representative should not in some cases be
influenced BY what are the immediate inter
ests of his particular constituents; but
there will be little legislation calling into
activity such interests, if the Legislature
goes not get beyond the proper sphere Of
legislation. There is no difficulty, however,
in distinguishing such eases from those IN
which the member Is really acting as paid
counsel, and Is not representing his conSut-
uents but is in tact representing some rall-
read corporation, or some other body thzt
can afford to pay for the services of more
members than it can elect.
By the recent constitution of Illinois
nearly all private or special legislation Is
prohibited. and, as a good result OF 1t; 1t IS
said that the business of the lobby, which,
under the previous constitution was large
and profitable, has been reduced to a mini
mum. 1t is not easy to change the human
nature which leavesit possible to corrupt
legislatures. but it is possible to lessen the
occasions for such corruption by prohlbit-
ing much ofshe legislation which furnishes
it its opportunity The people Of Illinois
have undoubtedly taken hold Of the best
means of accomplishing something for the
purity of legislation, and the people Of this
State will be wise if, without waiting for a
corruption which has made the legislation OF
New York a synonym almost for debauched
law-making, they put an end to legislative
lobbying and legislative retainers, by pro-
hibiting the legislation which invites that
kind of interference and which makes it
profitable.