Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-07-17
The Press on the Gag Law"

1t now appears that the Poland bill was
drawn by District Attorney Harrington, as
sisted by Mr.. Shepherd himself. Its pur-
pose under the circumstances can hardly be
a matter Of doubt. Judge Poland has al.
ready attempted an explanation of his con-
nection with the measure. 1t remains for
him to make one more statement to settle
the question whether he was a guilty accom-
plice or an ignorant tool Of the persons who
drew the bill.-NeiO York Tribune.
1t is the private opinion of Harper's
Weekly publicly expressed that the Poland.
Shepherd gag-law will inevitably "recoil up
on the party that'passed it," Also, that it
may be expected to "wound its authors as
the alien aud sedition laws smoto the old
lederalists."
The correspondent of the Boston AdUer-
liSer telegraphs THE authorship Of the
Poland bill has thus become known. 1t was
drawn by the District attorney, Harrington,
assisted by Mr.. Shepherd himself and after
ward placed in Judge POlands hands to be
introduced"
Shepherd is nothing but the creature of
the administration. From Grant he received
his appointment and that "vindication"
which was a deliberate insult to the Senate
and the people. In the investigation OF his
misdeeds, the track led directly to the White
House in almost every instance and in the
trial Of Mr.. Dana it will be Grant as much
as Shepherd who holds the place of pros.
ecutor. This is significant beginning of
the operation of Mr.. Poland's law.-BoSton
Post.
Poland, Edmunds, Frelinghuysen, Carpen-
ter and the rest--down with the whole un-
clean nest of them Never give one of
them second chance to steal the liberties
Of the people, and trample upon the press
the only great defender now left Of republic
can itutions.-TrOy Why.
Are we to have the pleasure of hearing
again from the Hon. Luke p. Poland
There would seem to be an opportunity, if
not necessity for additional explanations.
Springfield Republican.
The correspondent of the Netc York san
telegraphs "FUr nearly one week your
correspondent has been advised that Assist
ant District Attorney Harrington was boast
ing that the indictment was prepared, the
grand jury packed, and that in due time
Mr.. Dana would be indicted"
The Troy Times, perhaps the most SER
vile organ now printed anywhere outside of
Washington, is very much astonished that
republican journals should make fuss be-
cause the editor of the Neto York San, "the
bitterest and most inscriptions enemy of
republicanism, is at last in a fair way to
get his deserts.
The Hon. Luke p. Poland is one of the
men who do not always admire the free
press His recent vote in Congress to bride
the newspapers. of the country that they
may be made subservient to the dictation Of
few lordly brass-buttoned autocrats will
not elevate the Judge in the estimation Of
those who have made him what he is. Luke
will learn ere he has passed through many
more "trying ordeals" in his district that
the press of this state is not his friend since
he would have every newspaper hampered
by the laws Of ngress.-BwiingtOn Clip
per.
The reports from the Second District indi-
cate close encounter between the Hon.
Luke z. Poland, the present member Of
that District, Boss Shepherds tool for check
ing the annoying liberties of the press, and
Col. John b. Mead, of Randolph, with the
chances in favor of the latter. 1t is none
OF our funeral, but We cannot help thinking
what splendid opportunity the honest men
of the Second District have to rcbuke salary
grabbing and press gagging .-MiddIebwy
Register.