The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1910-09-15
PLAY WARD POLITICS
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membership widely scattered and on
ly seven of the IL members present.
Three other members were detained
by brief but premptory engagements.
Upon reassembling two days later,
eight gentlemen were present, and
two more were reported on the way
"The eighth member to appear hap
pened to be a Democrat and the men,
bers of that party found themselves
in temporary control and promptly
proceeded to turn the circumstances
to what seemed to them a party ad-
vantage. In advance of any consulta-
ton whatever upon the evidence.
which never had been weighed and dis
cdssed in committee, they demanded
the passage of resolutions of the
most sweeping character, formally
made, but of charges that had only
been implied. and of things which
never had been charged, but which
persons appearing at the hearing had
alleged against him.
"Other members of the committee
present protested against such pro-
ceedings. but the partisan political
end to be gained by the Democratic
minority became all the more urgent
in proportion as the railway trains
bearing other members of the commit
tee were approaching Minneapolis.
"The minority refused even to take
a recess. and the other members de-
clining to participate in a violation
of the fundamental principle which
should govern the proceedings, with
drew and thus deprived the Demo-
Gratis of their temporary control Of
the committee.
"The meeting being left without
quorum, any attempted decision OF
the case would have no more valiji-
! ty than would like action of a SINH
| lar number of men collected at ran
dom in the streets. but the specta-
Gle was presented of five gentlemen
out of tribunal of twelve. created
by the Congress Of the United
States. assuming to act as the tribunal
itself.
These five gentlemen continued
their proceedings to the end. accord
ing to the worst methods Of ward
politics; and, after pretending to adopt
report of SO pages. which they
brought to the meeting already pre-
pared, and which was never the sub
ject of consideration on discussion
or even read in committee, they
gave it to the newspapers, although
the law required it to be rendered
to Congress; and they completed
| their perversion of the purpose of the
meeting by adjourning to December
3, so as to forestall if possible. any
action or consideration or discussion
of evidence by the committee in the
meantime. and by solemn vote they
graciously extended to the majority
the leave to file a minority report.
1T does not need to be said that
such action both in form and sub
stance is wholly lawless and con-
dennis its authors rather than the
official under investigation
"The report of the committee can
not be made until December 9Th when
Congress meets and the meeting
| called for September 5th, was for the
purpose of considering and discuss
ing what the report. to be made three
months, thereafter should be. There
was, therefore, no haste or pressure
for time
THE pretended adoption of report
by political minority and its publ
cation. as if it We're the report of 4
committee, exhibited a willingness to
sacrifice the rights and injure the rep
utation of the officer Investigated in
order to obtain a supposed party adj
vantage in the pending political cam
paign. We cannot reconcile such a
course with our sense of justice and
of our duty.
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