The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1911-01-05
VI. !. HAPGoOD RETURNS con
SCIENCE MONEY" WITH
WAsHED HANDS.
Warns The Momhe.s of the Present
Legislature. Let Those Who Not.
ei Against Robbing The STATE
Treasury Show Their sincerity by
Their Acts.

To +. II. Deayitt, State Treasur.
er. Montpelier. Vermont
Dear SIR
Enclosed please find check for
1880 representing sum OF money
which you viii kindly put back
Into the state treasury as Con
science money" unduly taken by me
for full mileage one way upon ocoa
sion of the Thanksgiving recess
)f session OF 1904. To this interest
should be added but do not de
sire 10 appear over scrupulous In
the matter.
For the single regular trip re
ceiyed quite $500 regular mileage,
Tor what actually cost less than 81,
Therefore II strikes me very forci-
bly, that the fare for this adjourn
ment for mere pleasure and conven.
fence should have been paid by my.
self. This ten cent mileage each
way Is relic OF old stage coach
times, when the actual cost was
about that amount | profess 70
be Christian and aim 10 be true
citizen / have sinned, although
thoughtlessly, but am assured of for
giyeness In case | make due amends
and public acknowledgment, which
| hereby do.
This action IL not taken for EFF
feet or because | have so much
money that | do mote know what 10
do with II. | have only part OF
the funds which ! could make good
use OF, and which are popularity at
tribnted to me, and not cent but
what has been earned by hard
knocks upon these mountains. I'll 3
propriety OF this action came forci
bly, to my mind last week when !
attended session of the legisla
ture when the question OF mileage
for the proposed Holiday adjourn
ment was being discussed. First
motion to accept no mileage was
discussed and voted down. Next,
like action was taken with n motion
to take one quarter mileage, about
the actual cost The same treat. |
ment was given to motion to take |
one way. double the actua |
cost. Only one thing, as Il |
seemed. would satisfy majority OF |
that assembly, and that was to |
take all that they could get; anG |
this In spite Of the fact that they
mad previously voted full ten cent
both ways for the Thanks, |
giving recess previously taken,quitt
I've times what was right and Just.
This action was so objectionable
hat | determined to enter my ear.
iest protest against IL, and to ask
hat this matter be reconsldered, II
ny capacity as a simple Citizen OF
he state; or If not reconsidered
o call every members attention tt
he fact that the only true, honor
bile. and self-respectlng course will
be, when final adjournment is tax
n, 10 take from the treasury only
What justice, not technical law
made by themselves, Will allow
Only two other legislative acts
ave appeared to me as offensive.
inc was the action OF the State
enate last Friday when a MAORI
y OF its members presented one OF
IL own number as candidate fol ,
state office by itself created at
er having adopted, upon Its part
constitutional amendment direct
! forbidding such an act. The
Their was the well-nigh revolving ;
Salary Grab" act Of the last legis
iture. When our highest inter
SITS are intrusted TO bodies of men
pparently governed by such prin
Piles. We have good reason to feal
lat those interests are In extreme
eril
Yet firm, unylelding minority i
ay accomplish much, In connection
it'll an aroused public sentiment
ct us ever seek TO build up and !,
lard the honor and glory of our :
and old state. even though II has !,
be done by acts OF repentance
| have as inch respect foI
lose who take what they vote FOL !,
for those who take what they ;,
matter OF supposed principle 4
tie against There can be no ex' =
Use for such taking.
Marshall j Hapgood :
Peru. Vt. Dc 90. 1910. .