The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1874-10-28
RUTLAND
whether successful or defeated moso, you
would lay the foundation of success, which
would be as rmprcgnable as truth and as
sure ultimately TO nrevail

whether successful or defeated n01o, you
ouldlay the foundation of success, which
would be as imprcgnable as truth and as
sure ultimately to prevail
Your bill is also open to the charge of
being coacardy 1t contains the principle
of the Potter Law of Wisconsin, but you
give it the narrow application TO these few
miles of road, while if it is good for
one road it is good for all; in more
homely llusiratlon--whati is ''sauce for the
goose should be sauce for the gander" 1t
is said that you lack the courage to con-
tend for this principle in legislation be-
cause of the opposition it would engcndcr
from the combined power of all the rail
roads in the state. Your large experience
in legislation ought to forcwarn you that
in attempting to establish this precedent,
opposition of all railroads. The people of
Burlington, perhaps, need the legislation
you seek for those whose interests you
represent, just as much as the citizens of
our county. If they do not now, they may
the next session of our Legislature and
there can, therefore, be no end to the
special legislation demanded for the future.
You cannot fail to remember the reputa-
ton acquired by Governor Hoffman in
vetong all special legislation inaugurated
by the members of the senate and house of
New York, where a general law could
reach the case. With so clear and cool a
head in our executive chair, shall expect
your bill to meet with like fate if it should
get as far as the executive chamber
One more criticism on your bill and
have done. If you we're to employ a man
to do any piece of work for YOU. it is pre-
sumable that you would select somebody
whose education or experience would seem
net to render HIM entirely unadapted to the
duties you expected him to perform. If
you had a suit at law it would be credita-
BILE to your judgment to select either of the
estimable gentlemen your bill names for
commissioners. Some of them have doubt
less Investigated the theory which underles
the special legislation youask; but you will
hardly find an intelligent jury who would
say that the intricate questions arising out
of railroad transportation-the rights of
the corporation and the rights Of the
people, the demand for what is just to all
ought to be placed in the hands of men
whose whole life and education has been
devoted to other than what is called the
business pursuits. 1t seems to me your
bill can hardly survive SO just criticism.
No questions will occupy the attention of
the legislature of paramount importance
to those of railroad taxation and trans
portation. The agricultural interests OF
the commonwealth are languishng under
| the blight of this incubus of non-taxation
and the waiting solution of this question
of transportation. The legislature thai
| shall lift this cloud that has settled on ag-
off the shoulders of the producing masses
and, by legislation that shall be wise ant
just to all, promote alike the interest OF
producer and common carrier, will be en-
titled TO, and will receive the plaudts of {
grateful people.
| am sure that no one would be NOR,
gratified than you to see its accomplish
ment, but unless you plant yourself square
ly on the principle, that all railroads, in tn
exercise of all their powers and duties, ar
subject to the direction and control of tn
supreme authority of the state, you canno
and ought not to succeed.
Very respectfully yours. &c.
S. NJ. DoRR.
Rutland, Oct. ~, 1874.