The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1873-05-14
LOBBYING.

lie attention had been directed towards
him he should not have been burdened with
so much opprobrium as to conceal from
view greater sinners that the congress OF
1868 under the influence of his manipula-
lions only neglected to apply needed lcgis-
la,ion for the general interests of the coun-
try (by regulating the Pacific railroad Ia
riffs, then about four times that OF the
eastern roads,, while the congress OF 1851
poured land and gold into the Golfers of the
Union Pacific railroad company, though
the act of 1852 had provided nearly on quite
sufficient government bonds for the con-
structon and equipment of the road from
the Missouri river to the California line,
with an immense body of land thrown in.
The Union Pacific railroad company. alter
being organized in 1862, instead OF going to
work with the aid already obtained from
the government, gathered all the stock into
the hands Of few men, who supplied
themselves with gold, swooped down ON
the congressional lambs like wolves on II
fold and never left the halls of congress
till they had doubled their acquisitions of
public land. suborlinatcd the government
first mortgage to private mortgage for
over $50. 900, 900 (Which was equivalent to
paving for the road and then giving it
away, released thcroad from onc-half its
obligation to apply its earnings in govern
ment transportation towards the payment
of principal and interest of bonds loaned TO
ii by the government, and clean swept
away its obligation to devote five per cent.
of its net earnings to the same purpose.
There was lobbying on that occasion in
titanic proportions. Alexander Stewart, a
Washington lobbyist, received more than a
quarter of a million for illegal services,
and nine years later went to Jail rather
than reveal its uses, further than to admit
that he favored the subortlination of the
government mortgage lie was not alone.
The air was clouded with lobbyists. Over
four hundred thousand dollars in all were
traced in last winters investigation to the
Union Pacific " suspense account" as used
in congress in 1864. The prodigous in
vestment paid For every dollar that went
into Il cOngressman's pocket, hundred
fled from the United States treasury to tho
safe of the Union Pacific-a mighty tloot
of money on which floated land equal il
breadth to all England and Scotland, to an
Choir alongside equal amounts given in 1866
to the various Pacific railroads. But, alas
for what pitiful pittancc congressman
sold out vast interests intrusted to theil
care,
Not that every member who voted Oh
spoke for the bill was bribed If any were,
it is probable that they were few. The
Pacific railroad project was Il new and
great experiment, the most stupendous en-
terprise of the kind in the world. Tho
difficulties and facilities were but vaguely
conceived, and the cost could be but dimly
foreseen except by practical engineers. L
there were any who desired to drive TIN
disastrous amendments through, they coult
rely upon the extent to which complete in
formation was lacking, both in Congress
and through the country. Some member
may have taken an active part in pressing
the measure from desire to be on the pop
ular side They knew that the people
wanted the road, that they were inclined
to doubt those who manifested any opposi
ton, and would probably be induced by
others to construe into opposition to ;
favorite measure the very care that nigh
be taken to guard the peoples interest,"
while promoting the success of the enter
would be readily believed by TIN
people, who might also confuse dissent t,
the new largesses with the pro-saver,
stigma which caused an evil odor to hinge
around the word Democratic, and tn
democrats were conspicuous opponents o
the Pacific railroad in any shape. If thos
persons who had already obtained iron
Congress hundred millions in money an
land, amply sufficient to build the Unio
Pacific and all its branches and who wer
to have the road presented to them, nov
met with any opposition to gift of hun
dred millions more in bonds and land
they would cry out against the dissentent
as political heretics insidiously opposin
the Pacific railroad under prctcnsc of pre-
tecting the public and this also woul
he credited by the people Thes
considerations may have led or drive
many to vote for the amended Pacific b
in 1864, though they might have ha
glimpses into the gulf that was swallowin
land and money and railroads like son,
gigantic earthquake.
In the midst of all these conflicting AN
divergent influences tending towards I'll
success of the huge scheme, the lobbyis
applied to each member the argument
most likely to move him. The vice pres
dent of the Union Pacific was credito
with saying in substance that the road la
used $500, 900 at Washington that session
and it is a circumstance worth noting her
that when the report of the committee {
conference was adopted by which the hi
was passed, the yeas and nays were in val
demanded by its opponents, in consequent
of which it will not be known to the end {
time how were cast the votes of any pc
sons who might have been open to suspi
ion, and who, if the votes had been +
corded, could afterwards have been GUILE
from among those who honestly supportt
what they thought for the best good of Il
nation.
AT some possible risk of raising mi
conception of the intent of the GLOBE, al
Drawing little danger of being unjust
construed to be in opposition to the ra
road interests of the state-interests til
VIC regard as of the very highest impo
lance, and deserving to be cherished Al
built up by every means in our power, v
4aI