Montpelier Vt. Oct. 12, 1878
Dear President:
I learn this morning that an intim-
ation of Judge Poland leads to the conclusion
that his proposed investigation may be a
sham -- that he will [[?]] all that -- takes
the changes of Douglas and others as proven
and base legislation thereon at once. There
can be no objection to any fair-minded
investigation but to have a law that would
place it in the power of any ten men
to involve the College in a law suit
every year would be absurd, but, if
there was any doubt about the facts, and
one decision of the Court could settle it
forever, it might be a thing to be devoutly
wished. President Hulbert has been here
saying very foolishly that the fund
we have is sufficient to start an
Agricultural College of itself, but

being also suspected of coming here by
invitation of Rankin, son-in-law of
Poland, to interfere in the Senatorial
election in behalf of Billings or Poland,
he was advised to leave and he
did--then stating that he was on
his way to Craftsbury to deliver an
address. But it is clear that Mid-
dlebury is taking some interest in
the assaults upon Burlington.
The paper of Douglas in the
Messenger I thought might deserve
an answer and therefore asked Senator
Stearns to telegraph you to do it.
It is so abusive and so much more
devoted to me than to the college
that it furnishes its own antidote.
Walton will, however, sharply reply
to it in the issue of the Messenger
on Monday Evening--so I am told.
As to the Senatorial matter it
now looks very favorable for me

--unless they can spring some new thing
to bear upon the members, and Billings
I do not suppose will add very largely
to their strength.
Very truly yours
Justin S. Morrill