The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1875-07-29
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I Colonel Gray was member of the
Legislature two Or three years ago, when
very earnest effort was being made 10
/ pass law relieving railroads from cor.
tain taxes. The railroad companies bad
their agents Ia the lobby and they we've
spending money pretty freely buying
votes Of the members Oae day lob
bied met Colonel Gray 20 The reading
room Of hIs hotel, ard the following con.
versstiou eusued
Agout--Colonel, don't know how YOU
feel about this railroad tax law, but |
am very anxious to have il go through,
aud II you will vote for it,
Colonel - But I'm not going to vote for
II. irs dead swindle on lie people Of
the state.
Agent was going to say that II you
will vote for il YOU will confer personal
favor on me.
CoIonel-Well, I'm not going 70 do 1t
Agent Aud if can do anything for
you ifa little matter of $500 would be
Of any use to you, I'd be glad to offer Il
as permanent loan, 10 fact as agift.
Colonel (indlgnanD What sir! You
attempt to brbe me You insult me By
offering me money! What do you mean
sir? What DO you mean2 Betray my
constituents, bring dishonor upon my
family, sell the reputation | hold dearcr
than life for money? I've a notion to
kick yon down stairs, yon insoleut scul-
lionl
Agent Really, Colonel, had not the
least idea
Colonel (grandly) 1t makes no dii-
ference, sir, what you had or what you
hadn't! You come to me, the represent
alive Of large and influential commnni-
ty; to me, sent here to look after public
interests, to protect popular rights, to
onrb the springs of legislation, and you
have the nnblushing audacity to ask me
to sell myself Tor paltry $500! II Is
monsirous! bitterly monslrous.
Agent didu't think it would strike
you as being
Colonel (sarcasicall) You didn't,
hey? Didn't suppose I'd object to sscri-
licing everything that an honorable man
considers good aud holy at the bidding
of a rascllly railroad company that wants
to rob the state You don't know me,
sir? You are not acquainted with me
or YOU wonld have been aware that
regard such an ofltr with loathing aud
disgust, that spurn it with horror and
contempt, that | despise the reptile that
crawls at my feet 10 make it,
Agent-Oh, very well, You needn't
accept il you don't want to. There's no
necessity for howling so about it.
Colonel No necessity for-now look
a-here, don't to hurt your feelings; you
mean well enough. But really you don't
suppose that man like me would vote
square. against his conscience, barter
away his honor, and violate bis oath for
beastly little fee Of $500, did you? Did
you really?
Agent dunno. All OILERS come
down fol- that figure.
ColoneI-They do, hey? Well, want
you TO distinctly understand that Pm not
one of that kind. Not by big sight.
But tell you what I'll do now, as be.
tween man and man. scorn your bribe,
and III die before III touch cent of il,
but I've got a note for $3.50 coming due
to-day in the bank, and if you'll just
quietly take it up aud pay my months
board bill at this hotel, I'll vote for the
railroad tax law straight ahead, every
time it comes up this winter.
Then the agent smiled, and the colonel
went to the House feeling as yirtuons as
a Puritan.