The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1886-08-05

EAas1s and Csspsratisns'
There m general impression evc
among the friends Of senator Edmund
that be Lss frequently acted ~ couDss
FOR gress corporations. aud la soms iustsu
oes sbere the rights Of The govssamsn
we're Involved That this 10 not the 90
cAa be seen IRON The following extract
from letter sr,iten By Edauods TO
psrsvnai irIsri.
n 10 prspri that y.u aud otL.r gentle
men should knos that you may obslIeng
and invite. ingnify isto my relation. sisl
rsilrasl compositions or soy other corpor
atioDs fson The time vas hrst m~wbe
OF the yvraoLt legislature down to thi
day. I have VI I'll times stood ny. 10 th'
best Of my ability. 10 hold tLem under rig
orons legislative restraiDt aud keep then
wi.hiu legislative power. 10 aAeir sres
discomfort
vas. believe. the pioneer 10 The thsI
apparently helpless enterprise Of compoil
ing the Pacific railroads 10 comply will
their duties TO the United States. As ssr
~ as the time when Mr. Boutwell, was SEQ
Rotary Of tho treasury. ! brought tbs nat
ter TO the attention Of the senate by 81
amendment TO an appropriat'ons bill 4
think Il was), directing the secretary Of
the treasury not 10 pay any Of the subsi-
died railroads for services performed toI
the government. but 10 bold on the money
rs an ofiset TO the money 70 the United
States was TO pay as iuterest on subsidy
bonds.
II was out-voted, but in year or two
sfterwprjs succeeded, aud at last, by the
help OF Senator Thurman. we passed the
act Of May. 1878. known IS the Thurman
act 1t was reported by Mr.. Thurman
with the purpose on my part, Of getting
more democratic votes for II than l
thought vonld be likely II l reported the
bill myself. We fought il through, and
1t has stood the test Of the scrntiny OF the
supreme court Of the United States.
In June, 1884. when the Judiciary COM
mittss had again taken hold Of the matter.
| was humble instrument ia compelling
the Union Pacific TO pay into Tue treasury
about three quarters Of million dollars 10
. lump.
The Judiciary committee some years ago
reported sn adequste and effectual bill for
the forfeiture Of all unesrned land grants,
in regular aud just way; but We could
not get il acted on.
10 short. 1t all times and IN every way
as to railroads, banks. telegraph compan-
cs aud steamship companies. ! have been
Is busy aud as diligent as could be 70
keep them within bounds. Ill Of which
they know aud owe me no thanks for.
IhAve not been attorney for any Of these
corporations. excepting in the single In.
stance OF the Central 4 Southern Pacific
Railroad company, and that on . special
retainer TO argue set Of causes in the SUI
preme court hers 10 which the interest
OF the United States against the prsten-
sions Of the state Of California in respect
Of that transcontinental line vas on the
eide Of the railroad company. and my ar
gument was devoted 10 defending The in
terest OF the United States.
! have not been Of counsel 10 any other
case 10 which land grant or subsidized
company was . party. except In sn in
stance about ten years ago, Of contest
between two companies 10 Missouri or
some here. l have forgotten wheass. con.
corning their respective rights, and did
not argue that case until had contssred
with The Judge Who hal tried the case bs.
low, 10 ASCERTAIN whether any interest Of
The United States Was involved. 20 that !
shonld'he sure, n . mstter OF delicscy,
not to be on any side Of any case against
the interests of%he United ,,tates.
The only other aud the last instsnce9of
my having 10 any way been concerned %
counsel directly Or iudirecsiy, tn lasy Of
these corporations vas several years ago
10 controversy In New York between
Two sets Of stockholders Of the Northern
Pacific.
The Instances are the absolute sum total
Of any connection Of mine ~ counsel With
any railroad corporation Whatever. saving
That I Was for many years counsel for The
Central Vermont as everybody knows
md ] am nov counsel for railroad cor
porasion Of Scotland in it, efforts 10 CON-
pei railroad corporation 10 Oregon TO
pay Wis. il claims 10 owing. ! have a.
rays declined 10 be counsel 10 suv case
adverse 10 the interests Of the United
States. even those Of private citizens
'uins collectors Of customs ios overpsid
iuties