Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1855-10-26
Editorial Correspondence.
NO. I.
MONTpFttrR Oct 1-ih Il

MONTPELIER, Oct. 18th, 1855.
The first ruiiling of the surface of legisla-
tive affairs this session, took place to-day IN
JOINT Assembly Previously the stream had
flowed on SO still that some began to fear IN
absolute stasnation. a slight ripping yes.
terdiy was the fore.runner Of n spanking
breeze, as tho sailors call it, to-day. 1t came
up on this wise a joint assembly had been de-
termined on for this afternoon at "a p. NJ to
elect Secretary of State and certain other
officers. At the close of the session ycster.
day notice was given that Caucus was
to be held at number seven to nominate those
officers " a Caucus" Eh 80 Caucus -
-" Well, uhai Caucus" was tn Q repeated
inquiry but il got no answer. Where
upon if a good many went, good many
stai1 away also. [ was not there. but
learned that for tho chef officer, Secretary of
state, Mr.. George r. Thompson, son Of Hon.
d. 7. Thompson, (who has held the Office for
the last two ycars) was finally selected. The
honor' OF nomination were ut first divided he
tween him, and lis father, and MIR. G. ".
Willard, young lawyer of this place. a
few votes were given for some others. 1t
poon oOzed out that young Mr. Thompson (he
is said TO have past his 22l year few DAYS
ago. was previously nominated in n very pri-
vate way ~ II select few of the Americans who
mustered enough in one form and another to
secure him majority in tho aforesaid name.
less Caucus.
Mr.. Thompson the " Caucus" nominee is
spoken OF as quiet well behaved Young man,
who has done we'll enough most of the
writing Of his father Office lndependcntly
however Of the wheel-within- wheel features
OF the nomination (Which was not very &C.
ceptable to many H. Ms. and very unacccpt-
able to all who disnpprove Of their peculiar
way OF carrying on political busincss) the
youthIulness and incSperience of the Caucus
nominee, considered in reference to the i'm
portant AMI highly responsible Office Of Secre-
tary Of State, WAS felt to be an insupcra bic
objection in the minds of many. In tho States
of the Union generally, the office is regarded
as a very prominent one,-not to be given
but to n man Of public character and expo
rience. In Vermont, the Secretary of State
besides being charged with the customary
responsible duties Of the Office, in II cuntin-
gcncy-that OF the death or inability to serve
Of both Governor and Lieut. Govcrnor-b be-
comes the Governor for the remainder OF the
year. Murmurs Of dissatisfaction arose at
once among the members from all parts OF
the State, and they began to cast about for
more suitable candidate to vote for Mr.
Chalon Ddvcy,of Burlington, well known to
many as q capable Clerk Of the House some
years ago, was spoken of by many.
There was no time for any concert Of action
among those who held the authority Of
Caucus" with a secret Caucus in his belly,
IN no respect, and expectation was quite on
tiptoe when the joint assembly convened.
The reported six ballotings show how the
play went on. Besides the persons named
from six to n dozen Of the numerous progeny
Of Mr.. Scattering had from one to two votes
each. 1t was getting late, and another joint
assembly had to be organized in accordance
with a joint resolution, and u motion to adj
journ, till Wednesday. q p NJ prevailed.
However the election may end, the action
on the case will g far to show the propriety
OF causing an Office Of that Importance 10 be
illed by the direct vote Of the people, US it is
IN other States.
The Standing Committees are now COM
p'ete in the two houses. The Committees on
Eiucation met together to-dty, and took