The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1873-08-04

1t is coming out somewhat as we feared.
We have, all of us, been justly indignant
at the wrong perpetrated at the close Of
the last session of Congress, by which
members pocketed more pay than they
were entitled to or expected, when elected,
to receive The first burst of Indignation
has blown over, and the matter begins to
quiet down, as the people are ready for
some fresh sensation, but of this we will
speak presently. Condemn it as we may,
it was managed shrewdly, was mixed up
with some good measures, tackled to the
appropriation bill and afforded n good loop
hole for escape. General Garfield was the
first to excuse himself for voting for the
measure, upon the alleged reason that he
hoped, thereby, to save the appropriation
bill and he made haste TO clear his skirts
by not approprating the back pay to his
own use. A careful analysis Of the vote,
by which the measure was tackled to the
appropriation bill, will disclose the fact
that all parties were equally in the boat !;
that is to say, in proportion to their numer-
ical strength as many democrats voted for
it as republicans, and Gice oerSa. This is
what is called shrewd political manage
ment, and discloses why so many investi-
eating committees close their abors with
embarrassing reports" Parties and
party men, unfortunately, are too apt to
conduct their share of such inquiries with
n view Ia make party capital by damaging
the opposition and holding up their parti-
sans as blameless When, however. it ap-
pears that the one party is as much in the
wrong rs the other, then all begin to pull
together and the "whitewash' is applied.
Without stopping to enlarge upon this, we
wish to call attention to the speech of
Hon. James II. Plat, member of Con-
gress from Virginia who, we are sorry to
say, is sort of half and half NermOnter-
before the late republican state convention
of Virginia. A resolution relating to the
back pay had been introduced, when he
took the floor and informed the conyen-
ton that she thought when the Legislature
GO of Virginia, with its overwhelming
" democratic majority, passed resolution
g censuring the six democratic member.
50 from the state, il would be time enough
- for republican convention to pass
I" resolution censuring the four republican
50 congressman"
The whole doctrine of withdrawing
reports is contained in this extract from
Mr.. Platt's speech. Because both parties
are implicated, no report must be made
against any one. In this case it is to b.
used to stihe the expression of public
opinion by political conventions. Resolu
tions, to be sure, don't amount to anything
except as showing Acknowledgment
cal is, perhaps, the better word-regard fo
public opinion, but, after all, the people
like to see bold, manly, patriotic resolves
The resolution referred to was remarkably
mild, but Plat, in addition to the word
quoted, objected to its consideration for thu
reason that 1t was not timely-as there
were no members of Congress to be nomi
mated, This seemed good reason and, tht
convention being in frame of mind tc
quietly ignore the resolution, the mover
withdrew it. Thus the diffiulty, in Viz
ginia, was brldged over, and the back pa,
congressman of that state breath easier