Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1878-10-18

not honestly used the income Of the agrl-
cultural fund. But the assumption and
belief Of Mr.. Douglass do not prove the
college to be guilty, or impugn the hitherto
stainless reputation of Senator Morrill,. The
facts must first be proved, and the facts were
diligently and faithfully sought by the com
mittec, with the following result, which |
quote from the unanimous report of the COM
mittce, to wit:
Your committee find. from an analysis o. tie
annual expenditures, that the whole OF the INDUS
trial fund. meaning the Agricultural Collese
| fund. and little moro, is annually expended IN
pay ing for the services OF Professors In the INDUS
1 tIial department, and expenses belonging To that
two corporations, the Industrial is apparently the
favored partner. In answer. then, to the question
the funds OF the institution hare been expended in
| accordance with the act Of Congress"
Concurrcntly with this investigation by
the Vermont committee. an investigation
of all the Agricultural Colleges Of the coun-
try was in progress by a special committee
of Congress, which required answers from
every college to a very large number OF
questions, embracing every detail OF their
administration. These questions, and the
answers for the Vermont college, were
| Jrt>en;ei ~ our committee. The w0rk OF
| the Congressional Committee was begun in
iealously If the colleges, As its chairman has
ayowci, and resulted IN Il report Ia their
favor. The committee Of tongitss specially
endorsed the Vermont committee ot 1871,
by including a part Of their report in that
which was made to Congress.
1t is not singular that another inyestiga-
ton has been asked for, since the original
charges have been again and again repeat
cd ; and have no doubt the present Legls-
lature has acted wisely in ordering it; but
it is quite remarkable that it was demanded
a few days betore an important election,
when everybody knows that full inyestiga-
ton cannot be made until after that cleo
tion-that the the demand has been supple
,nentcd by this accusation by Mr.. Douglass.
and that both have been uuscrupulously
and unjustly used, to the supposed
advantage Of one candidate, who
has never before been known. even in the
columns Of the Montpelier DAILY Journal. as
"the farmers champion" and to the disad-
vantage OF the very man who acquired the
agricultural fund for the benefit OF the State.
and Of all men in the country has the deep
est personal interest in having that fund hon.
estly and most benefcially used. Sure am
that if any way can be devised to make
better use of it in Vermont, no man will be
more rejoiced than Justin 5. Morrill,. His
fame is identified with the success of his
scheme.
The main reason why the agricultural
fund has not been more useful in Vermont.
is because it has been inadequate. In other
States, where the fund is large, either from
the Congressional lands or gifts by the State,
industrial colleges are successful; and in
deed one of the effects of Mr.. Morrill's mag
nifcent national scheme has been to stimu-
late old and new classical colleges all over
the country. to enlarge their courses of study
in the interest of industrial education. Mr..
Morrill, has long and persStcntly cndeayOred
| to have our agricultural fund increased. lie
began this work in the Senate, when Mr..
| Poland was in the House but | am not ap-
prised that Mr.. Poland ever gave him any
aid in this work-hayc never learned that
Mr.. Poland ever introduced into the House
| bill for that purpose, a. ! surely know he
could do, and probably woald have done II
he then regarded himself as "the champion
of the farmers" Mr.. Morrill, is still per
sisting in this endeayor, and | shall reckon
it great misfortune to the farmers of Yer
mont and of the country, il the Legislature
shall take that work out Of mis- hands.
In saying this must not be understood As
understanding the talents OF Judge Poland.
10 his sphere as lawyer and Judge he stands
high, and Senator Morrill, makes no preten-
sions in that line but it is sale to say, that
the author of the scheme for Agriculture
Colleges knows altogether more than any
other man can know OF the workings Of the
scheme, of the obstacles to its highest sue
cess and of the best way to secure that sac
cess.
trust it will not he impertnent for me to
add, that all the greatest interests of Yer
mont fall within the lie of the Agricultural
College act. for THAI was specially designed
to aid them all. Vcrmont's largest inter
ests are not those of her lawyers. but of her
farmers, her manufacturers, her mechanics,
her producers of every sort, from the largest
capitalist to the smallest laborer in shop or
field. 1t has been too commonly supposed
that some eminent lawyer or orator will best
subservc these interests; but to have all
lawyers would be a woeiul m stake. do
rlen gather grapes OF thOrns, or igS Of this
ties p The keen lawyer, accustomed to dc
bate, is good when he has the facts to work
upon; but for the facts concerning these
large interests. he must 90 to the thorough
y instructed and practical business man.
know the untiring industry, day and night,
with which Mr.. Morrill, has labored to mas
ter the details of all these great interests Of
the State and Nation, and with what success
be has for years labored in both HOUSES of
of Congress. | personally know also,
that this point was settled in
Mr. MOrrill's favor by two of the
most eminent lawyers and Senators OF New
England. In anticipation of the time when
he must leave the Senate, by death or other
wise, Jacob Collamer called me to his COM
mittee room to consult as to his successor in
the Senate, and said that. after careful
consideration, he had come TO the cOnclu
sion that Mr.. Morrill, was the best man that
could be sent from eastern Vermont VIM.
Pitt Fessenden, Of Maine, was the chairman
Of the committee Of the Senate which had in
charge these great interests, and he well
knew Mr.. Morrill, personally, and his labors
on the corresponding committee of the
House. Upon an intimate acquaintance
with myself, also. he felt warranted in writ
ing to me, saying that the services of Mr..
Morrill, were indispensable in the Senate
and the Senate has since confirmed the Judg-
mcnt of these eminent men by making Mr..
Morrill, u SUCCESSOR to Mr.. Fessenden As
chairman, and keeping him in other import
ant positions.
The charge Of Mr.. Douglas inreaehes the
integrity of Mr. Morrill, pronounce it a
libel on man whom, as boy and man, have
known intimately for forty year, with
whom have acted in the public service six
years, and Of whom can safely testify, that
he is incapable of dishonest or gnoble act.
The ignominy is due to those who abuse
him. +. p. WALTON.