Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1873-08-08
From the st. Adams Messenger, August 4.
Judges, Journalists and Railroads.


First, then, Judge Royce We do not be-
lieve that he was corrupt or is corruptible
We believe him to be a man Of integrity, Of
high ability and of sincere purpose to per
form his judicial duties for the promotion
of Justice between man and man. That be
is above making errors, however, we cannot
claim. We think he has made more than
one in performing his functions-mOre min
isterial than iudical-in connection with
the management of this great property.
But this is merely matter of opinion, and
thanks to a free government, we can have
such opinions even touching our greatest
and our best Other and ADLER men than
we are think differently, and time alone can
tell. But we think Judge Royce has been
the victim of circumstances more than the
wiling promoter of anything that anybody
thinks amiss. When he went upon the
bench this railroad property, nominally
but not really run by the court, was appa-
rently prosperous. No breath of suspicion
attached to its managers. They had the
confidence of everybody and where is the
citizen who did not look with pride upon
their farreaching projects. spanning over
the continent and scattering the blessings of
prosperity as they went. Their obligations
TO the security-holders were met, increased
facilities were afforded to the people, no one
knew aught against them worthy OF serious
complaint, and all felt like lending them a
helping hand. From time to time they went
TO Chancellor Royce, more as a matter of
lUrm and obligation than matter of iudg-
ment or railroad knowledge, for permission
to extend their lines, issue new classes
of obligations to meet the require
ments of their business and for
whatever required the sanction of the
court. OF course he considered it lust
as he would any other case. Did the parties
in interest all appear? Yes. Did they all
assent? They even united in the requests.
Did any one object ? Not man.
Were the things asked for proper to be
done? Those whom the court trusted and
whose business 1t was TO know all said they
were. What then could the chancellor DO
but grant the orders? What would YOU
have had him do? What would any Massa-
chusetts Judge have done under the same
circumstances?
But by and by there came a crash. On
most Of us it fell like thunderbolt from a
clear sky. The notes Of the Managers had
gone to protest, they could hire no more
money, they owed almost everybody along
their lines, and their great schemes Of
growth and Development were seen to
burst like bubble in the arr Then came
anxious inquiries among the security
holders, numerous charges of gross mis-.
management and fraud. followed by meet
ings, Investigations, hearings, litigation.
and now not only pending legation. but a |
reference Of the whole case to the Judgment
of mankind. Could Chancellor Rovce have
ioreseen that any of the earlier orders which
he granted would result disastrously 10 the |
property in court, 1t is more than probable |
that he would not have granted them. If
any Of the security-holders had appeared
and made objections which were valid. we
doubt if be would not have confined the |
Managers to the administration of the /
property originally put in trust. Now
who was captured? Judge Royce? No
but if anybody was it was tie security,
holders, who year after year elected Vt
q Canada directors and a VT. Central
bondholders' committee completely in the |
interest Of schemes whereby they saw
they are now deirauded. 1t has been
pafaded time and time again in defence of
Goy. Smith that not only did the Vermont
Canada by either its stockholders or di- |
feetors consent TO everything, but those
gentlemen of Boston whose names are Pink |
erton and Drury looked over the work and
pronounced it very good.
30 they did, and herein lies more of the
mischief than can be found anywhere else
IL was Plnkerton and Drury and not Judge
Royce whose duty it was to watch this !
property by day and night, hover over it
IKE guardian angel and if any wrong was
found combat it like an avenging Nemesis
before the court. When Worthington c.
Smith was president of the Vermont h Can
ada Company it was his equal duty to see
that the interest he was chosen to represent
was guided clear of all present and nros.
pectlve harm. But these gentlemen became
yariously interested in the mana cement Of
the trust. One had large private benefit
accruing from contract for snnnI;es a.,
had one thing or another to do with con-
struction accounts, which were supposed 70
have been profitable but which have Dot ro ~
been brought before the public ar ~ w.
courts, all became interested in car com 1e
panies, condemned as leeches by the ro;i
road commissioners of one State. The gen M.
al policy Of which is condemned by ~
friendly committee of another and which; ;n
certainly made large dividends wbiIe ~
ROAD was growing poor. Possibly tbes e
guardians Of other peoples PROPERTY srs
spovs temptation and Of such Puritan in.