Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-08-07

who is to-day more detested than any other
10 public life, from his dastardly assault on
the liberty Of the press.
When Mr.. Poland entered Congress his
reputation was good, but like too many
others who have fallen in the same way, he
yielded to the temptations which beset his
path, and is now regarded as one Of the
chief props Of Ring legislation. His votes
aud his voice have been uniformly on the
side OF the great corporations, which succeed.
ed in obtaining subsidies Of money aud land
from Congress by purchasing corrupt menu
bcrs.
lie advocated enormous grants and privi-
leges TO the Northern Pacific, Just as he up
held the powerful corporation in his own
state with Smith as tho President Of both, 10
which the stockholders grew poor, while
small Hing, with Smith at the head of IL
aud Poland at the tail, grew rich. A bank
President himself, he has made his congress.
sional influence serve that interest habitual.
ly, with all its ramifyiug relations.
When the FIRST investigation OF the Wash.
ington Ring took place 10 1872, as a mon.
Der Of that committee he threw his whole
weight as shield over Henry d. Cooke,
then Governor, President Of the First Ma.
tional Bank, and a member of the firm Of
Jay Cook d Go. The testimony was con-
elusive as to the frauds and corruption,
which afterward took such large proportions,
but he and Starkweather aud others like
them connived together aud whitewashed that
vlllainy. Their report cost the treasury at
least five millions Of dollars.
Mr.. Poland was chairman of the Credit
Mobilier committee, and in that capacity he
utterly failed to preform his duty, or to ex-
pose the corruption which was partially
dragged to light through others associated
with him, who could not be intimidated,
seduced, or bought. His aim was to pro-
tect the guilty leaders. and to make scape.
goats Of Ames and Brooks. The testimony
and the whole course Of the investigation
which he directed as chairman proved this
incontestably.
In order to lay the foundation for obtain
ing more money from Congress the Wash
ington Ring devised scheme of taxing the
public reservations, buildings, grounds, and
avenues at Washington like private property,
and 10y exorbitant assessment. To carry il
out they prepared resolution pretending to
inquire into the relations Of the United
States to the District of Columbia, had it
referred by him to the Judiciary Commit tee,
and then put report in his hands, prepared
in advance, to promote this barelaced at
tempt to plumber the treasury.
Not satisfied with these services, he be.
came willing tool of Shepherd aud his con-
federates in carrying through the recent gag
law by disgracefu trick aud lie in the
closing hours Of the session, when scrutiny
was next to impossible, and when the solemn
assurance Of another purpose was calcu.
lated to mislead the House. Whatever he
may say now, when his interest is to plead
ignorance, and when falsehood may deceive
the too con6ding, the fact is notorious al
Washington that the infamous law was con
cOcted by the Ring to muzzlc the press
aud that Mr.. Poland was used by Shepherd,
Cook, and Harrington to subserve their de.
signs of maignity and vengeance.
If the least doubt existed as to the real
oject OF the Poland gag act, it would be re-
moved by the haste aud confidence with
which Boss Shepherd rushed before the
Grand Jury to renew his attempt.to punish
The San for the exposure of his venalty.
He had failed before because the jurisdic.
ton was denied under which the conspira
tors claimed to act. To cure that defeat
and to make certain next time, they contriv.
ed this statute, gave 1t false title, conceal.
ed every suggestion by which suspicion
might be reused, and then by preconcerted
plan, and with lying declarations, hurried it
through both Houses for the Presidents
signature, who was waiting In the Capitol to
cousummate the iniquity.
These are few of the recent conspicuous
Meta of Mr.. Poland. There are others
Equally damaging that may be revived.
He stands before tho country as Ring
legislator, and nothing else. He has ceased
to be representative of Vermont in the
high and honorable sense. He is an advo-
cate Of that system which has corrupted
public life and brought about the present
decentralization. No such man is worthy to
represent Vermont and until this whole
tribe is driven from Congress there will be
no honest legislation, and no possibility o.
relorm.-NeW York San, July 81.