Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-03-10


respectable portion Of thein-as banditu
horse thieves and assassins,' and very natu
rail-, provoked Mr. Mclean, Of Texas, 70
reply that the gentleman from Massachu'
setts was the only murderer that he knew ON
the floor" Ills episode with the Speaker at
tbe Clerks desk disclosed the inherent vul-
garity and brutality Of the man, and placed
Mr.. Blaine's dignity and ability in fine CON
tra,t Judge Poland also gave him very
sharp and telling rcbuke, from which he did
not recover II was quite as etfectual as his
own ditch-lgger once gave him on another
occasion The close Of the Foty-third Con-
rress happily terminates the political life at
Washington Of this bully, who has frequently
taken the lead Of the republican party in the
House Of Representatives, because ADLER and
wiser men were unwilling to enter the lists
in personal contest with this offensive and
arrogant dsbater, who was the most promi-
ueut specimen Of the class known as "polit-
zeal bullics." The House evidently seemed
to have regretted It's haste in censuring John
Brown Young for his interpolated exccria-
ton OF the member from the Essex dis
trict" II the shameful bullying Of the
Speaker by General Butler had occurred a
little earlier in the session, the Kentucky
representative would have escaped the vote
which stands ON the records against him.
The House would have pardoned the strong
language Of an excited sense Of honor and
decency against one who has contrived to
outrage every principle of courtesy and self
respect in the treatment Of his associates.
We regret that this session terminates
the service--for the present-of several OF
the abest representatives. belonging to the re-
publican party. We could have wished that
the distinguished and independent course of
Mr.. Willard and Judge Poland might have
secured their return TO Washington for some
time longer The best place for men of that
sort is in Congress. Able fearless, incor-
ruptible-they have reflected more honor
on the state than the state has conferred
upon them 1t is no depreciation Of their
succcssors to say that Vermont in the next
House cannot be so influential as in the last
Congress.
The civil rights bill after long incuba-
ton, has at last become the law of the land.
The school clause was struck out and the
law Isw applies only to hotels, public con-
yeyances and places of amusement Hence
forth. all citizens without distinction Of
race, color, rank, or previous condition -
can share equally in the public inns and
stages and cars and theatres. The bill was
ably debated, and prominent republicans
opposed as well as favored it.
1t will interest our readers to know that
the entire Louisiana committee reported in
favor Of the five members Of the Legislature
unlawfuly and violently elected from theil
seats The report, at least, Justly reflects on
the arbitrary exercise of military power In
determining the rights of members to theil
seats in a state legislature All good repub
Leans will now know what to think abou
military interference in popular elections ant
in legislative assemblies. 1t seems to be dc
decided-so far as the unanimous report Q
a committee composed of both parties ca
determine it. that popular suffrage is not t
be exercised under military surveillance.
is certainly a very wise decision. 1t render
it unnecessary for any one to try and prov
that military dictatorship is consisten
with republican government.
The Force Bill passed the House tu
failed 10 be acted ON in the Senate. 1t is
fortunate failure. We have no doubt tina
it was unconstitutional. The Constitution
provides that "the privilege of the writ q
haJeas corpus shall not be suspended, unles
when in cases of rebellion or invasion tn
public safety may require it." The Fore
bill provided that it might be suspended i
other cases at the will of the President. b
tween the bill and the Constitution there
great gulf, and it would swallo
up irrecoyerably any political party thu
should attempt to execute the unconstitl
tional measure. Personal liberty ought
be held very sacred. In Vermont we hol
it so sacrcdly that our constitution provide
that the writ of hdbeds corpus shall in
case be suspended" is the great bulwar
of civil liberty, and the abnormal, exec
tional disastrous bill which passed ii
House and failed in the Senate was we
called the Force Bill: for il substituted
the government force for law and the wi
OF one man for the statutes and the judicial
of the country.
The Soldiers Bounty Bill was passed /
both houses, but did not receive the sign
ture Of the President, and is therefore N
law. II would have taken hundred m
lions from an already depleted treasury; al
as the President said, would have put a lar
portion Of it in the pockets of claim-agen
and spectators. II will now never becon
law.
The new tariff and tax-bill passed.
raises the tax on tobacco and cigars, increas
the duties ON sugar, restores ten per cent.
manufactured articles, and fixes the tax
whiskey at ninety cents per gallon. But
sooner was the measure perfected al
passed, than Congress voted away in ext
public buildings and river and harbor a
propriations and other special schemes,
much money as it can possibly add 10 Il
public revenue.
The appropriation bills were very larp
The river and harbor bill approprates in
s),0OO0O0. The general or civil bin cove
something like s30,000,O00. II is one of I
gratifying features of the session, howey,
that none of the "great jobs " succeeded
their demands. Congress has heretofo
given subsidies to corporations commens
rate with the wealth Of a kingdom. Tn
had become avaricious and grasping beyol
measure and organized a raid ON the tre'
ury that has happily proved unsuccessf
The Texas Pacific, and the Northern /
cihc are now waiting for the next Congre,
Judge Poland succeeded in carrying b
Arkansas report and resolution. 1t was
triumph that must have been very gratif
ing TO him, as it certainly is to his friend
His course has won the admiration Of tho
who have formerly decried him. Some
the papers which last summer made dilige
inquest with lighted candles, in order