Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-02-01
in THE HOUSE.
Sharp Exchange Of Words Between Barrett o.
Massachusetts and Powers Of Vermont

| report of the conferecs on the bill con.
shutting "A new corporation OF the pur-
| chasers of the Atlantic & Pacific Rail-
road. Grout. Rep. OF Vermont. referring
TO Barretts statement that the road had
been practically sold to the Santa Fc 90.
for sio,Goicoo, said the transaction In
vowed only one division of the road not
the entire line. The discussion of the re-
port was closed by Powers. who. in the
course of his remarks. said:
There IN no African In the woodpilr'
so Tar as this committee il aware. We
nave prepared "A bill here which on It's
face-in its letter and In It's spirit-works
out substantial Justice and right TO cy-
erynody interested In this property. II
inNbody mas come here representing any
secret interest-if any Massachusetts in
terests are involved In this matter. they
are not involved I'm the direction OF the
public good. As suggested by the gentle
man from Oklahoma, all the iniuui,v tina,
mas ever been practiced on the line of the
Atlantic q Pacific Railroad dates from
me city of Boston and its immediate en-
vironments. That Is where the men live
VINO wreck railroads That IL where the
money comes from that creates an the
rascality that the gentleman is scolding
about.
Il do not stand here to criticize the ac
tion OF Massachusetts. Massachusetts
mas furnished too much talent too much
responsibility. too much honor TO the
me to undertake anything Of that kind
she furnished two Presidents the older
lnd the younger Adams But. Mr..
speaker. We are forced to admit that
the greatest lawyer. greatest statesman
most magnificent expoundcr of our or
ganic law that ever lived-Daniel Web
Yer Yer But. sad as IL may seem. Daniel
webster is dead. She furnished us the
most classic. most learned and erudte
statesman that ever sat in the halls OF
oongress-Charles Sumner. But, alas,
Charles Sumner is dead.
we today taf ~.
sunshine OF the gentleman from Massa-
cnusetts VINO has come here to Congress
recently by a strong vote OF his consti-
tuents. TO learn how to do right and
practice Righteousness in the ways Of
lesislation. lie is not content to 90 to
work and try TO accomplish something
LOT me pubic good. but he stands here
is censor upon the doings of this body.
why, Mr.. Speaker. have the greatest
respect for him and his abilities ! have
SHOWN nm many years. He might be
p on. OF the most useful men on this floor
but the trouble with him is that he as
sumes there is nothing on this floor
worth respecting. He comes here to shed
nsn.. ne knew this was a chaos of dark
Speaker. to be a rose, with the des,inv
OF blooming and blushing upon this floor:
put his fate has been to wither and waste
and applauseD
Jarrett responded to the railcry of
Judge Powers. not in the same spirit. but
m M ~ more seriously. The gentleman
reputation of a long period of service in
me supreme court of his state Talk of
railroad wrecking. Where can anythinr
IN mat line be found equal to the history
OF the Central Railroad of Vermont. nm
der the series of receiverships conducted
ov the supreme court? Ask any honest
Mans, man OF that state. who invested his
ton and was robbed of it by the decisions
of that tribunal. which have not met the
approval OF any respectable court in any
other jurisdiction
that It was not desirable to renew the
war of the states here
Barrett-l inaugurated no war. 1t was
(Cries of Go on, Barrett."j o'e'sue'
trout raise the point of order that il !!
Is not IN order here to Question or criti- |
cize the decisions of the highest court of |
: Speaker Reed-I do not see how the dis
cussion of their decisions can be pre-
Bar Barrett resumed, and repeating the
substance of his charges, asked any man
to deny them. ~
Grout--l deny them. They are false.
|, am surprised that the gentleman should |
motives to the members of the s,,nreme
court of Vermont. p' e"e
continuing, Grout explained that the
m Of that body We're elected by
me legislature. and 1t would have been
for the judges to have been
re-e elected year after year as they were.
had there been such a general sentiment
OF belief among the people respecting
ss nelr decisions as the gentleman from
sought to make tha |
House believe existed e
barrett said he imputed no dishonor
anle motives to the legislators of Yer
mont. but did not forget that that body
was the creation of the public and tha,
he influence of railroad corporations was
expression. Ao''o