Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1882-05-12
The Great RaiIrond Cn.e.

From the Montpelier Watchmans Account1
The hearing Of the case Of James r. Langdon and
others against the Vermont 4 Canada railroad COM
pany and others, the beginning of which was noticed
in last weeks issue, to end on Friday after
noon and the in the hands of the court for de-
cision The great feature Of the hearing of COURSE
was the argument on behalf Of the orators made by
Senator Edmunds on Friday, which was listened to
by crowded audience Of ladies and gentlemen. 1t
was an able and exhaustive presentation of the ora
tors, and in the opinion Of old friends Of our dstn
guished senator, who have known him ever siuce his
admission to the bar the abest argument he ever
made. Mr.. Edmunds's peroration was as follows:
$50 far as remember, II II please your honors,
have now gone over hurriedy the leading points upon
the other side, which may have bearing upon the
final disposition Of this case, although regard them
as having already been decided in the opinion Of 1880
1t is only to enectuate that decision in accordance
with the forms of equity that here now. l
hope that this is the last time shall ever have to ad
dress your houors this long litigation Not because
it is scandal to Jurisprudence: for it is not The
principles which govern 1t, the practice under which
1t has been tried, have existed from the beginning Of
courts; and had this case involved nothing more than
mountain farm or a saw-mill, 1t would have been
disposed OF in half-hour's discussion long ago. 1t
is only the magnitude of the interests not the diff
euy OF applying the principles that makes this case
important. 1t is the struggles OF contendng forces,
where great sums Of money and vast enterprises de
pend upon success defeat, which give this case ny
real Importance. repeat that the principles enunci-
ated by your honors in 1877 and 1880, far
derstand them, are principles well known to the
simple and ordinary course of equity Jurisprudence
as any that can be stated. 1t is only because rail-
road corporation has either to pay its debts lose its
property 1t is only because some Jack Robinson who
may happen to be the president Of the Vermont
Canada has made great speculation in stocks and
bonds, which by the loss Of this would result in
great failure, that 1t has made much noise and
trouble. 1t is therefore that these people, who have
loaned their money to the managers upon the credit
OF the trust property must be defeated and the courts
and customs of the state yiihed by the newspapers
outside of and in the state But there is no scandal
| for the mendacous malice of few Jack Robnsons
and their associate spectators and makers Of stock
aud bond combinations cannot make scandal every
where. There has been nothing wrong in the admin
istration of this anywhere-in court or out of
court nothing that does not invite the fullest inyes
tigation and the most searching criticism. The ad
ministration of justice is always benehcent 1t ends
contention 1t brings peace; It sences camor by its
own calm silenoe and the temples of justice are built
everywhere that civilization spreads and softens the
rugged value Of mankind. l trust and believe that
her temples will always be pure, and know that no.
where will they be purer than in this ancient
wealth, whose judiciary is justly celebrated for its
ability end virtue"
The leading argument in behalf Of the defendant
was made by Hon. E. j. Phelps, who devoted the
greater part of his argument to the demonstration Of
the proposition that the rent of the Vermont Cana
da was paramount lien upon the property, and that
that must be paid before any other claim be con-
sdered He attacked the idea of granting decree Of
foreclosure to the orators with all his power OF rid-
Guile. Col. A. +. Walker made very thorough argu-
| ment in behalf Of the Canada Mr.. Edwards made q
strong argument in behalf of the claim OF the Grand
| Trunk railway company and James c. Barrett ably
presented the claims of his client the Worcester Safe
Deposit and Trust Company, who large holders Of
equipment bonds. Judge Poland unable, owing
to bad cold, to argue in behalf of the orators. 1t is
believed that the court will render early decision,
and that this great will then be settled forever
That it will be in favor of the orators, greater
| less extent, nobody seems to doubt