The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1882-05-24
WASHINGTON LETTER.
Lawyers In Congress-The Whis-
key Ring and other Rings
Fraud and JObbery-Too much
money accessible.
[From our Regular Correspondent |

money accessible.
[From our Regular Correspondent
WASHINGTON, DC, May 20, 1882
Our National Legislature is COM
posed largely of lawyers. The first
instinct of lawyer is to get re-
tainer. 1t is suspected that there
are firms, organizations, corporations,
and even individuals in the United
States wealthy enough to retain Con-
gress, l say it is suspected. lido not
say it is SO. The suspicion that a
national legislature is purchaseable
is terrible and deplorable suspicion.
Benedict Arnold was foiled and his
treachery was abortive. But, if,
after the accumulation of country,
this fair republic can be bought by a
Whiskey Ring, or a Railroad Ring,
it is quite time to build monument
to Benedict Arnold. The Hon. James
Beck, a native of Scotland, but at
present q Senator from Kentucky,
delivered this week a long argument
in favor Of a bill to enable distillers
to hold their whiskey eight years
without tax. The principal distill-
ers and whiskey merchants of the
country have formed a ring to pro-
cure legislation that will enable them
to age their whiskey at the expense
of the Government. Senator Beck
from Scotland, via Kentucky, is the
advocate. for the ring. He asserts
that no money has been used to in
fiuence legislation, except 'legiti-
mately." How money can be used
legitimately to influence legislation
he has not explained. The law that
the whiskey men want will enable
the distiller to band his poison un.
stamped for ninety-six months, which
is the longest period Of banded stow.
age allowed in the bill, and it will
deprive the National Treasury of an
immense revenue.
RAILROAD LAND GRANTS.
Several years ago, Congress grant.
ed to railroad corporations over $780,.
600 square miles of land, or about
100000 acres, on condition that
they should complete these roads
within certain limited time. The
grant covers an area of territory
larger than all Of the New England
States, with New York, New Jersey,
Pennsylvania and Maryland thrown
in. Up to the present time these
roads have earned about 100000
acres, and there remains about 49,.
100000 not yet earned but claimed
by these roads, and withheld from
settlement. Divided up into 100
acre homesteads, these fortified grants
would give homes to population as
large as that Of the State of Ohio
These lands, forfeited through failure
10 complete the roads within the
legal limit, are worth s300,000,00O.-
These lands belong to the Govern.
ment but they. are claimed by the
railroads, which no longer consist of
seven corporations but are consolida-
ted into three or four powerful cor.
porations, that, like the Whiskey
Ring, have their advocates in the
House and in the Senate, and are
able to show a corruption fund be.
side which that of the Credit Mobil.
Ter would. seem a bagatelle. The
House committee on the Judiciary
are engaged in the Investigation of
the status Of the land grant railroads
and reports will be made as soon as
conclusions are reached. The com.
mlttee adopted resolution some ten
days since enjoining absolute secrecy
upon its members, SO that little is
known as to its action so far.