Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-04-16

Dawes and Rollins, of New England, Conkling of
New York. and others. The defeat of any thing
favored by Mr.. Blaine was naturally seized upon
by certain class of scribbers who sought to
make sensational capital by charging that he had
acted in the interest of the railroad men. The
Boston Herald, for instance, was not satisfied with
the vsporngs of its special correspondent, but ed
itorislly took a hand in classifying as follows:
when Blaine defended Jay Could Tuesday
and sand he was not black Is he WAS painted.
the sarcastic Edmunds replied that there were
were many men who were not 80 black as they
were painted.
Perhaps there are few people who would
readily believe that even a Boston editor
would deliberately fabrcate such a thing as
the above, but what will they say to the
fact that the Herald writer not only as
cribed to Senator Blame language that he
never uttered, but deliberately put into his
mouth the language uttered by Senator
Edmunds himself We had read the de-
bate with some interest before the above
paragraph came to notice, and we wish
to show our readers, from the Congressional
Record, the proof of the cool mendacty of the
smart squib set in circulation by the Eeralj. Here
is an extract from the remarks Of Senator Ed
munds of Vermont.
Mr. EDMUNDs. Now what might
happen under this very bill, saying nothing about
provisosi This stock is transferable at the offices
of these companies. 1t is said to be now all IN a
very few hands. 1t is said that gentleman,
whom have long known as very amiable and
esumable gentleman, a man OF extraordinary
genius and ability, and who ! believe is paint
ed n eat deal blacker than he is owns more
than majority of the stock of one Of
the companies. lie is under no obligation
of that corporation is left with hun and with his
board Of directors, we might ali expect this thing
would 20 smoothly and swimmingly, that fde
ity TO these requirements would be observed that
the income of the corporation would be as great
1t is now and would increase, that the same en-
ergy and economy and prudence and skill that in
his hands have made the company develop large
profits, much more than ever before, will continue
10 90 on but II he chooses to sell out his stock
TO- morrow at the stock-board in New York, have
you any right to CONF lam OF him Not the least,
etc.
Subsequently Senator Blaine remarked that he
understood the Senator from Vermont to argue
that SO long as Mr.. Jay Gould shall own majori-
ty of the stock the Government could rest secure
but that it might pass to other hands, and that
then danger might come. This was the only con-
nection in which Mr.. Blaine referred to that indi-
vidual throughout the debate. Senator Edmunds
stltedly and technically replied that he had men
toned no person by name, that he did not com
NIT such improperly Of debate, ETC., but every
body OF course understood that there but one
person to whom his remarks could apply. Later
| in the debate the Vermont Senator returned to
this point, as follows:
Mr.. Edmuuds. But, Mr.. President, this jocose-
ness of my friend and myself about aspartcular
person has very little to do with this question
The object had in view was to point out how
dangerous it is because corpo, alton happens to
be prosperous and well managed at this moment
and am bound to say for Jay Gould, if he has
anything to do with it (seeing that the Senator
| has mentioned HIM and The other gentlemen con-
nected with the Union Pacific and with the Cen
trail Pacific roads, that they are well managed
how uncertain 1t is because at this present mo-
ment ii happens that corporation ls well
Eed, that you are to tie up your hands for TWEEN
ty-two years and assume that it is going to be
for all time.
And that eulogy Of Jay Gould the newspaper man
very cody takes out of Senator Edmuuds' mouth
and transfers to Senator Blaine because his paper
has special hostility to the latter. The n. Y.
Times is more reputable paper, but it is unable
to rise above its spites, and INDUCES in captous
comment upon Mr.. Blsne's amendment, notwith-
standing it had ediorially Endorsed its spirit and
purpose in its issue of April 5, in this EN- phatic
language
Mr.. Baine's suggestion, pointing to the fnality
of any measure that may be now enacted, is not
unressona able, and we glad that Mr.. Edmunds
responds to it with amendment designed to
render the pending bill final exercise of Con-
gressonal authority so long as the companies
faithfully comply with its requirements. The
companies entitled to some guarantee against
perpetual interference. They might well consent
to terms at first unpalatabe If they could be
sured that the agreement arrived at would be al
lowed to stand.
The Times mistake was in creding Mr.. Ed
munds with the formulation of Mr.. Baine's sug-
gestion, whereas the amendment which it so fully
approved the one offered br Mr.. Blaine. Per-
haps that explains the different spectaces it used
on the same proposition. The Boston Advertiser
is not likely to be regarded specially friendly
to Mr.. Blaine, and throughout the debate it per-
mtted its special correspondent to slur him in the
most offensive manner. After the vote had beer
reached, however, and the editor had been able to
the roll-call, it is barely possible that the
name of Senator Dawes in the aft mative list may
have afforded an editorial inspiration, for we find
that paper coming up squarely in support of the
position assumed by Mr. Blaine, and asserting its
justice and proprety in this explicit language
We confess that we connot agree with those who
attacked violently the amendment of Mr..
Blaine. Perhaps it needs some modification, so as
to make it little more explicit, but the principle
seems to be just and fair. 1t simply proposed to
enact that, ii the companies should dc what this
bill required them to do, further condition
should be imposed upon them the same direc-
ton until the bonds have mstured. The amount of
gross debt at the time OF the maturity of the bonds
is ascertanable by simple arthmetical calcula-
hon The bill, after defining what is to be under
stood by the net earnings OF these roads, prov des
for the receipt of one-fourth thereof by the gov
eminent. The yield of this source of revenue
will vary of course but it is believed to be sufi-
cient to pay of all tho debt at maturity, except
sum that the companies easily procure. We
can see and admit the objection to surrender OF
the power of the Government over the railroads;
but there alsoobjections to leavingIthe conpa-
MES in doubt as to the future. The question is
one that should be closed, far Cong res sional