Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1886-08-06
USITED STATES SENATE,
WAsHISGrus, d. C., July 18Th, 1855,

cOTpOIhtlouh
UNITED STATES SENATE,
WAsHISGrus, d. C., July 18Th, 1850.
Ag Dear --: Mr.. - has sent me yours Of
Tuesday last with copy q letter from -, u the sth
OF July, addressed to you.
1t is proper that you aud other gentlemen should
know that you may invite inquiry into my relations
with railroad corporations or any other corporations
from the time Was hrst 4 member Of the Vermont
legislature down to this day. have at all tmes stood
up to the best Of my ability TO hold them under rig
orous legislative restraint aud Keep them within egis
lative power, to their great discomfort.
was, believe, the pioneer in the then apparently
hopeless enterprise Of compelling the Pacific railroads
TO comply with their duties TO the United States. As
early the time when Mr. Boutwell, secretary Of
the treasury, brought the matter to the attention Of
the Senate by amendment to an appropriation bill
q think was) directing the secretary Of the treasu
ry not to pay any of the subsidized railroads for
vices performed for the government, but to hold
to the money as an offset to the money the United
States was TO pay as Interest subsidy bonds. was
out-voed, but in year OF two afterwards succeed
ed, and at last by the help Of Senator Thurman We
passed the act Of May, 1915 known as the Thurman
act II was reported by Mr.. Thurman with the pur-
pose, on my part of getting more Democratic votes
for II than thought would be likely IL reported the
bill myself We fought II through, and 1t has stood
the test Of the scrutiny Of the supreme court Of the
United States.
found three four years ago that one Of the COM
panies not ubeying the law in respect Of
ing accounts and paying In the money that 1t requir-
ed. / urged aud pushed the departments to press
them up wrote frequent letters the ubject nd
did everything possible to stimulate being forced
TO obey the law or be punished If they did not.
In June, 1884, when the judiciary committee Ia a
again taken hold Of the matter / was a humble iu-
strument in compelling the Union Pacific to pay into
the treasury about threequarters Of million dollars
In lump.
The judiciary committee some years ago reported
adequate aud eectua bill for the fort eiture Of all
uneArued land grants In regular and just way; but
We could not get 1t acted on.
have eIerted myself aud struggled to compel the
street railways Of this city, which rather domi-
mating corporations, to pay their taxes aud assess
ments-whch they have managed not TO do to large
degree At last, by constant pressure upon the auth
] critics, suit brought and Judgment al
three hundred thousand dollars obtained against
one Of them, upon which they have appealed to the
supreme court of the United States.
In short at all times and IN every way, as to rail-
roads banks, telegraph companies and steamship
panies, have been As busy and as diligent could
! be to Keep them within bounds, all Of which they
/ know, and owe me no thanks for.
have not been attorney for any Of these corpora
tons, excepting in the single instance Of the Central
! Southern Pacific railroad company, aud that
special retainer TO argue set of causes IN the SUI
preme court here in which the interest Of the United
States against the pretensons OF the state OF Csor
MIA in respect Of that ranscontineual line the
side OF the railroad company, aud my argument was
devoted TO defending the Interest Of the United States
earned the money that was paid me, aud the cases
! we're decided and my connection with them terminal
! ed months ago.
| have not been of counsel in any other case in
/ which land grant subsidy company was a party
except in an instance about ten years ago Of contest
between two companies in Missouri or somewhere,
] have forgotten where, concerning their respective
rights; aud did not argue that until had
ferred with the judge who had tried the below
ascertain whether any interest OF the United States
WAS involved, SO that should be sure, matter OF
decacy not to be on any side of any ease against the
interests Of the United States. That was deter
mined aud my services paid for years and yeArl
ago.
The only other and last instance OF my having in
any way been concerned as counsel, directly ind
recty for any OF these corporations several year,
ago in controversy 10 New York between two sets Of
stockholders Of the Northern Pacific.
These instances are the absolute total Of any
connection OF mine counsel with any railroad cor
poratiou whatever, saving that for many year.
counsel for the Central Vermont every body knows
aud am now counsel for railroad corporation Of
Scotland in its efforts TO compel railroad OrpOratiOI
In Oregon to pay what It claims is owing. / have al
ways declined to be counsel 10 any adverse The
interests Of the United States those OF private
citizens suing collectors Of customs for oyerpaid du
| ties.
You will perceive therefore, that my opposition I,
! Mr. Becks resolution cannot proceed FROM any per
sonAl bias or interest in the question. But am OPP
posed to IT, first, because believe It to be absolutely
unconstitutional, and, second, because It is WHOLLY
unjust unless we are 10 say that senator shall pur
sue 10 private calling whatever.
Very truly yours,
GEO. +. EDMUNDS.