The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1856-03-01
For IHE CAIFppNIAN.

S We have seldom had occasion to ex-
pose plot so bold, and in the prosecution of
which measures so unscrupulous have been
adopted, As the late scheme for nn!living the
law removing the Shire Of Caledonia Coun
ty.
There ca, be no doubt that the law was
passed in accordance with the wishes of at
least thrca-tourths Of the inhabitants of the
County at the time of its passage, and the
expedcncy if not the necessity of the meas
ure was acknowledged by every candid indi
vidusl acquainted with the situation of the
County; in ,roof of which we advance the
fact that at the hearing before the JOINT COM
mi,tees of the two houses ten Representa-
t:ves and one Senator of the Comfy testified
that they were in favor of the bill, and each
of them expressed the opinion that large
majority OF his constituents desired the reno
val of the Shire The same testimony was
given by the late Representative from Bar
net, and by prominent citizens from Water
ford, Kirby, Lyndon, Burke, Sheffield and
other towns in the County, and it is remark
able that although spirited opposition was
made by the counsel and citizens of Dan
Vile. and although the hearing before the
committee was at their request postponed to
the time named 10y them when they could
be prepared for the defense, vet they failed to
put upon the stand any witness from the un-
represented towns or any member from
towns represented, and it is worthy of note
that they wisely omitted to call upon the
be compelled in the cross examination to cor
roborate many Of the statements OF other
witnesses in favor of the removal.
The bill: had been introduced the frs: weei.
Of the session, ami had been published in
the WORTH .S'dr, with warning note from the
Editor, more than two weeks before it was
reported by the Committee. vet no signal Of
complaint had come up from Caledonia Coun-
tv, except from few individuals at Dan
Vile
The Committee were no: hastr in Their a.
tion-their sessions were held during the 4tl.
week of the Session of the Lrgi>iaturc-thc
Counsel for Danyillc had requested a post
poneinent of the hearing. which was .ra,trd.
and every opportunity was given for the de-
tense. The arguments Of the SAID counsel
were spirited aud elaborate while the conn
Sc, for TIE ILL submitted the ease without ar
gunent. relying solely on the testimony
which had been "ivcn bv citizens residing in
all parts of the County cNce,t the western
towns The report o.. the committee embed
les that testimony and should be read hv
every citizen ot the Coun'v. IL is a truthful
statement of facts. and cannot be cont,ovprt-
ed except toy sophi>trv and m~reprcscnta-
ton.
The bill, as originally published in the
Star. was reported unanir ou>Iv hv the com
mittcc> of both Houses. with a propose! Of A
mrnllnent giving Danvilc the Old Ccur'
House and it was in view Of comrcn>a.irc
the County for its interest in the old Court
House :h,t the Committee suggested an A.
,es>m"'t bv the lorafinc Committee. On tn.
town where they migh; locate the future
buildings. The till was thus amended. and
subsequently other amendments gave Dan
vile the other buildings and an..ex-I C.l.c'
to Washington County
1t should oe noticed that there was no has
~ action IN any stage o. the proceedings
1t was not until Friday of the fifth week of
the session that The bill pa>>c,. the two Hou
seS-iour weeks after it was intr,duc,d into
the House. and three weeks after it had been
published IN the NotL >ar. And vet. tina.
paper, ignoring these facts complains of the.
nu'".cr in which the act removing the Shire
was passed. asserting that iii a moment a.
1t wrre-In manner summary. unex,ccted.
and unprecedented. the Legislature at its
last session passed he act for a removal" |;
Is not singular that with such perverson< of
facts. and 10y the untiring circulation Of cx.
ag.erated reports as to the cost of the build
incS and the consequent bur,hen of taxation.
great numbers of honest citizens sborIJ h.,
induced to sign the remon>tranceS presented
for their signature. who nevertheless enter
tam and have long entertained the orin;on
that the Shire ought to hc removed
1t should he particularly noticed in tbi,
ronneN'on' that pending the hearing before
the Committees Of the two Houses. a new
PROJECT was originated by Interested parties.
and resolution was introduc.d into ,Lo
House of Representatives for the appoint
ment OF Committee for altering the lines
on the east side of the mountain 60 as n
chang" the county seats. not only of Calcdo
MA out of most of the counties below.
This scheme, which had its ORIGIN down
The river, enlisted the sympathy and co-ope.
ration OF one or more influential citizens Of
Lyndon, who in the early part of the session
were not nnfrendlv to the Caledonia County
OIL; and although the scheme foun,; no favor
IN the Legislature, vet it is not abandoned
and enters largely into the plan lately adopt-
Ell for controlling the Judges in tie execution
OF their duty. And were the judges to Weld
TO the pressure which is being factitiousIy
Drought to bear upon them, and thus delay
the execution Of the law, it would no doubt