, 1874-03-02
AN EMBARRASSING LEGAL OPINION.

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AN EMBARRASSING LEGAL OPINION.
Tho Republican newspapers Of Wisconsin aro
to 10 pitiod. They lAvo boon closely watcling
tho conduct Of Gov. Taylor and tho Reform Log
iHtnturo with tho hope Of discovering Bono mis-
tako or willful mtat1omcanor out Of Which somo
political capital could bo mado; but, up to tho
present writing, wise collnaols have prevailed,
aud tho Reform Bhip Inns smiled granlly on ovor
Il smooth aoa with spreading Bai1s and pros
porous broozo. Tho various phases Of
tho Railroad question woro 30 many
rocka III tho fervid imagination Of par
tisan Republicans, upon which the Reform
movement was to strike and 60 to piocoB, and
thus mako It M easy task for tho1n to regain
their lost power in tho State next fall, and cloot
tho next United Statos sonator. Dut they have
been doomed to disappointment. The railroad
and elevator business ia alroady practically act
tlod 10 tho satisfaction Of the people, for tho
tin,o hong Ut all events, md everybody iB OF tho
opinion that tho noformorB aro doing as ,yoll as
could 10 expected. My, they havo douo mucl,
better than many mon who voted with
them dared to hope. They have ocon-
omizod in many particulars where tho
Republicans hayo boon lavish, and havo not in-
Cured any new aud extravagant expenditures.
They have stubbornly refused to pass either tho
Calkins Or the "pump" Carpenter printing steal,
both Of which, tho roador will remember, woro
passed by tho Republican Legislature Of last
year, but vetoed by Gov. Wnslburn. Doth of
thcao old claims have been presented at this
session, but they sleop tho sloop of
death in tho hands Of tho Committees.
What mnkcs it especially provoking ia, TINT both
Col. Calkins aud Curpontor arc conspicuous aud
ardent llcformers, aud probably did ~ much to
carry tito State for Taylor as any other two mon
in Wisconsin, and it was expected by tho Ropub-
ifcaua that those two c1ainls would 10 allowed,
which would havo malo M oxcollcnt toxt for
their stump-orators uext fall. But no political
capital will he mudo IN TINT direction, and vir-
tuouB orators Of tile Credit 11obiler and bact-pay
grab sort will not burst over appropriations from
tho State Treasury to pay printing accounts that
have bcen twice settled
But recently Gov. Taylor has granted
certain certificates to the Wisconsin CEN
tral Rairoad. aotting forth that the said
| Company las built certain sections Of its road,
| AS 10 was adyi1ed to do by tho Attorney Cen
eral of tho State and other reliable legal author
| itios, -whoreupon all tile Republican news
papers set up prodigious howl thRt Taylor had
sold himself to the corporations. cheated the
| people. etc., etc. Hore was point to bo made
againat Gov. Taylor and tho Reform
party, and tho caae WAS being judi
coualy worked up, when the Republi'
can enthusiasm is dampened by tho publication
of two letters from no less porsonages thar
that thoy lnvo examined the case, and arc
clearly Of tho opinion that tho Company is on
titled to tho certificates" OF course this is {
sumner, for is not Carpenter great legal
moral, and political light whose penetrating rayt
illunt7ato and snblimato everything they touch
Is 10 not the leader Of the Republican party il
Wisconsin, aud, boing such, is not Gov. Taylo
perfectly safo in Trusting TINT Ills ad
vice will DO acceptable to lis followers
Horo ia a dilemma. To condemn Taylo
for granting the certificates, ia to condemn Mr
Matt Il. Carpenter for giving tho loyal advic'
upon which they woro issued. And, under thost
circumstances, wo do not 500 how Gov. Taylor
action IN this case eau be used to his disadvan
tago by his political opponents. Neither d
wo seo how Senator Carpenter can 60 upon th
stump next fall md cauvasB tho State for Iii
recollection to tho Senate, and doclaim agains
Taylor aud Ills party, with this letter Of adyfc
staring him In the faco.