Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1886-07-23
Mr.. Edmund. and HI. COnueC'iOn Will

Mr. Edmunds and His Connection with
Corporations and RaOnOpOIies.
The fact that Mr.. Edmunds has stood in
opposition TO Senator Beck's bill to prohibit
senators and representatives from acting as
attorneys for it's land grant railroads, has
been caught up by the opposition to Senator
Edmunds as the basis for systematic attempt
TO discredit both his motives and his public
career. The Democratic papers and the or
gans OF the great monopolies which Mr.. Ed
munds has always opposed, broadly charge
that he is attorney for several Of these mo-
nopolies, and that his course toward the
Beck bill is based on selfish motives. The
matter has been carried so far that the whole
thing from the introduction of the bill on,
looks like an organized attompt to bring Mr..
Edmunds into disoredit
People who have kept themselves familiar
with Mr.. Edmunds's public career, do not
need to be told how false and malicious these
charges are.
The Rutland Herald says with truth that
"every body who ia familiar with his senate.
rial career knows that he has long been re-
garded as the sworn foe of monopolies and
jobs of all Sorts 1t is probable that, but for
his watohfulness, alertness and courageous
honesty, millions would have been taken from
the public treasury in multiplicity OF
schemes which he has opposed ever since he
has been in the Senate" This much we say
by way of introduction to a square denial
from Mr. Elmundss own lips, which be made
in an interview with T. G. Crawford of the
New York World. Following is the substance
Of what the Senator said
ar any one were to take the pains to examine my
record carefully or come to me to make Inquiries
am sure they would hnd that have done less In the
way Of legal work for corporations than almost any
man In public life. II 10 true that have large L.
| gal practice am not denying that, and do not un
derstand that the general charge of my having grea
amount Of corporation practice is intended as an as
person upon character but the real fact is that
have had very little corporation practice during ny
| career as public man. never have had any regular
connection with corporation with the exception OF
| the Vermont Central railroad. have been the ad
visory counsel Of that corporation for years.
ceiving small annual fee ON the LIST Of last January
resigned that connection. Its legal business was
practically at an end and saw no further use for IN!
services"
1.-THE nrst corporation case that had Of any impor
lance which now call to mind was that OF q Scotcl
corporation, some 10 or IL years ago, in suit agans
the Missouri, Kansas Texas railroad, IN the west
have, perhaps, In all my career had Ave six cor
poration clients, but IN cases where the government
interest was in no way involved. l never have beef
the attorney of Immigrant railroads, and have
acted professionally for them in any way. appeared
in the supreme court as counsel in what lie known a
the California tax but in that really represented
public interests. have been careful all my life il
retaining from accepting legal employment from
interest which might come before me In Congress
that some Of my refusals might be considered foolish
During the reconstruction days. when Stanton wa
secretary Of war the state Of Georgia sought 70 ties
the constitutionAty OF the Reconstruction act. Mr.
Stanton offered me employment az special counsel 4
represent the interests Of the government, but de
cned the employment upon the ground that tn
RtAtutes forbade auch emDlOvmeDt / have carried
my foolishness far to have refrained from spec
ulation In real estate In Washington because we hAv
constantly coming before legislation for the i'm
provement Of this property 1t is remotely possibl
that some Of the admirers Of Mr.. Becks bill may
have been scrupuous in this regard but, however,
do not wish to be put In the position Of crcisng
one. merely desire to say that have pretty scru
pulous old-fAshioned notions about my own acts, an
have rigidy adhered to them all through my
n public