Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1873-06-13
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THE BACK P.AI'.

The Burlington Free Press publishes an
extract from private letter from Senator
Edmunds, dated Rome, May 9th, which
settles all question in regard 10 the position
o coupled by him on the subject of tho
"back pay" He says:
az see much in the papers about the back
pay business. settled my account imme-
diately after March 4th, on the old basis,
and refused to have the back pay brought
in any FORM"
The Woodstock Standard, which claims
10 have received reliable information in re-
gard to the position of the Vermont men,
bers on this question, says:
"On the adjournment of Congress the
three members from this State who did not
propose to soil their fingers with the mon
ey, Messrs. Morrill,, Edmunds and Willard,
talked the matter over with a view to ar
riv ing at proper and uniform method for
its dis posal, and we believe all, certainly
two of them, thought it but just under the
circumstances 10 appropriate the amount to
the benefit of their constituents. They sep
arated with the impression on the part of
some of them at least, that it was to rest
until Mr.. Edinunds' return, when they
would act in concert in disposing of the
funds. Mr.. Edmunds went TO Europe and
Mr.. Willard went South, and meantime
public opinion ran so high about the grab
that Mr.. Morrill,, as we suppose, fearing
that his silence and inaction with reference
to his portion might be misunderstood, and
of course being unable to make any public
explanation, presented his pay to the State
treasury, in accordance with what seemed
to be the judgment and wishes of his col
leagues. Mr.. Willard, as soon as possible
after this, returned his TO the treasury, be-
ing satisfied from the manner in which
Mr.. Morrills gift had been treated that
such disposition was more in accordance
with tho public sentiment of the State,
though perhaps contrary to his own judg-
ment. Mr.. Edmunds will, we have no
doubt, when he returns, If he does not be-
fore, return his also TO the treasury. And
Mr.. Morrill,, when lie becomes fully salts
fed, as we think he must, that his constit-
uents woul d prefer to have him restore the
money to the United States treasury, will
che erfully do so. These gentlemen all re-
gard this as case in which they should
consult and be governed by the wish of the
people of their State. In their treatment of
the subject they acted from the purest mo-
lives and have shown themselves, as they
are generally regarded by the public hon
orable and upright public servants.
"We understand this to be the whole sto-
ry of Vermont's completely in the grab,
tL.t =
Smith put theirs in their pockets. All our
members fought the appropriation on its
passage through Congress-"
The closing paragraph of the Standard
will serve to correct an error into which
we fell few weeks since, in abiding to
the course of Judge Poland. Mislead by
an article which appeared in one of our
State contemporaries, we stated that Judge
Poland did not participate in the vote upon
the salary bill. He did participate in the
final ballot, and his vote was on the right
side. The bill, however, having become a
law in spite Of his efforts, and himself le-
gally entitled TO the extra compensation,
back pay included, the Judge fails to see
why the money is not his to keep, as we'll
as to give away. SO long as Congressman
only take what legally belongs to them,
the Judge thinks their constituents ought
not 10 complain. AS TO the back pay, we
understand the Judge admits the principle
to be wrong, but says that this is feature
which always has attached 10 bills for an
increase Of salary, whether In Congress OF
in State Legislatures-and always will,
We have no doubt that the Judge is per-
fectly honest in regard to the matter, and
that If the question is brought up at the
next session Of Congress, he will promptly
vote 10 repeal the bill.