Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1873-02-26

The TEXT. Now, had these facts been
known to these gentlemen. and had they IN
derstood that they were to share in the pro-
ceeds of the scheme, they would have deserv-
ed the severest censure. Had they known
only that the profits were to be paid in stocks
and bonds of the Union Pacific Company, and
so make them interested in it, we cannot
agree to the doctrine which has been urged
before us, and elsewhere, that it was perfect
ly legitimate for members of Congress to in
vest in corporation deriving all its rights
from and subject at all times to action OF
Congress. In such a case the rules OF the
House, ? 8 well as rules of decency, would re-
quire such member to abstain from voting on
any question affecting his interest, but alter
accepting the posi- ton of a member OF Con-
gross we do not think he has the right to dis
qualify himself from acting upon subjects
likely to come before Congress, without some
higher and more urgent motive than merely
to make profitable investment. But 1t Is
not so much to be feared that in such a case
an intereste member would vote, as that he
would exercise his influence by personal ap-
peal to his fellow members, and by other
modes which often are far more potent than
single silent vote.
We do not think any member ought to feel
so confident of his own strength as to allow
himself to be brought into this temptation.
We think Mr.. Ames judged shrewdly in say
ing that man is much more likely to be
watchful of his own interests than those OF
other people. But there is a broader view
still which We think ought to be taken. This
country is fast becoming filled with gigantic
corporations, welding and controlling i'm
mense aggregations OF money, and thereby
commanding great influence and power. Ii
is notorious in many Legislatures that these
influences are often controlling, so that IN
effect they become the ruling power oil the
State within few years. Congress has, to
| some extent, been brought within similar in
| huences; the knowledge of this has brought
great discredt upon the body, far more than
| there were facts TO justify. But such is the
tendency of the time, and the belief is far too
general that Ill men can be ruled with money
and that the use of such means to carry pub
lie measures is legitimate and proper.
No member of Congress ought to place
himself In circumstances of suspicion, so thai
any discredit of the body shall arise on his
accout. 1t is Of the hig hest importance thai
| the National Legislature should be free OF all
faint OF corruptloO, and 1T is OF almost equal
necessity that it is 50. In a free government
like ours We cannot expect the people will long
respect the laws If they lose respect for the
law makers. For these reasons We think it be-
hooves every man in Congress, or any public
position, t. hold himself aloof, as far as pos
sible, from all such influences, that he may
be enabled to look at every public question
with an eye only to the public good, but thai
his conduct and motiv be not suspected o.
questioned.
The APPLICATION. The only criticism the
Committee feel compelled to make on the &C
ton of these members In taking this stock i,
that they were not sufficiently careful in as
certainng what they were getting, and that
IN their Judgment the assurance OF good IN
vestment was all the assurance they needed
| We commend TO them and to all men the let
ter OF the venerable Senator Bayard, in re
Spouse 10 an offer of some of this stock, founC
on page a OF the testimony, The COMMITTEES
find nothing in the conduct or motives of either
of these members in taking this stock nat
calls for any recommendation by the Commit.
tee