Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1842-12-02
Communication,

Mr.. EDIToR,-I saw an article in the last |
Sentinel, commenting upon the course ofour
representative in regard to certain Bills re-
lating to the University Of Vermont, upon
which, with your permission, wish to offer
few remarks. The article to which re-
fer, like most other matter which appears in
the Sentinel, contained about as many false
hoods as it made assertions. The true Sc
cret of the Scn,inel's hostility to Mn. VAN
SIcKLEN, | suspect, will be found in the fact
that he was elected last September, by the
freemen of Burlington to represent that town
in our State Legislature, and that, while act
ing in that capacity, he succeeded in defeat
ing a'Bill, the object of which was to dis
franchise a portion Of the frcemen of YER
mont. For these two offences Mr.. Van Sick
len has been subjected to a good deal Of
abuse, and he probably will never be forgiv-
en- by the Loco F0cos of Burlington.
The Bill to which I refer was entitled,
believe, "An act to define the rights offrcc-
men," Its title should have been An act
10 disf'anchisc ireemen for such title
character. The object of the Bill was to
deprive the students in our Colleges and
Academies Of the right of voting for town
representative and county officers, in the
towns where they have resided for the re-
quisite length Of time, unlcsS their parents
reside vhh them. Such an act, in my opin-
and Mr.. Van Sicklen is richly entitled TO
the thanks of all true Wings for his vigorous
, and successful opposition to it. Had it not
been for his cxerlions, the Sentinel assures
us, the Bill would have become law. The
greater his merit, then, in defeating it.
have bee informed that. tho evening after
this bill passed through the House of Repre-
sentatives, the Loco' in Montpelier felt quite
crank. and boosted that they lad caught the
member from Burlington asleep. But if he
was caught mapping that night, lie certainly
:, uoke up too early for them next morning
as the large majority by which the bill was
rejected satisfactorily proves. l intended to
offer some remarks, in this communication
to show the injustice and unlairness, if no
the unconsttulionaity, ofsuch an act of thc
3. Legislature, but l will postpone this part o
the subject till next week.
But the Sentinel asserts that Mr.. Var
$ Sickcn declared in the House that the Fac
: uIty of the college here, were opposed to thu
passage ofthc Bill. Now this, like most 9th
. er assertions of the Sentinel, is an unuuai
If fled talschood. The facts of the case are Il
follows, as have obtained them from a gen
teman who was present when they occur
II red. Mr.. Van Sicklen was asked by
h prominent Locofoco member whether he di
not knOw that the faculty of the college her
were in favor Of the passage Of the Bill
n He replied that he did not know 1t, and ad
lie ded that he did not believe it. He ais
ut said, and in my opinion, very justly, tia
!" whether the Faculty were, or were not,
'e favor of the measure, it would not chang
his opinion in the least, or swerve him ha
ot from his course. lie represented the free
If men of the tomn, and not the Faculty {
J. the College.
l. | shall take an early opportunity, Mr.. Ed
y itor, to submit some further observations o
J. this subject, if you will allow me to do ST
+ and rather think the Sentinel will find thu
N in abusing Mr.. Van Sicklen for his cours
al on this occasion, he sis kicking against tn
St pricks." A FREEMAN.
h, THE SCHOOL FUND.