The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1856-02-09

wv WV ~ b' II'VINts ~ rs WN.
IN orr columns to-day, appear the proceed
ngs OF IA meeting held at Danvlle on the 30th
ut. o>ten>iblv to reverse the decision of the
last Legislature IN removing the Shire of
Caledonia County from Danyilc to st. Johns
bury. While giving publicity to these pro-
rcc'ling>, We do not wish To discuss ut any
length the questions al issue; and shall scarce
~ attempt more than to intcrpoSc our dissent
to the PURPOSES Of the leaders engaged in the
meeting, and to record cur protest against
the manner in which it is sought to accom-
p'>h them. Having opened our columns to
one side by publishing the proceedings of
the D"nv;!!e meeting. we shall keep them o.
pen to any one who wishes to discus. the 9th
or si.lc.
We have not the least idea that the law
authorizing the removal of the County Seat
will be disturbed for half century to come.
We ito not believe the oriSln,tors Of the late
meeting hold any such opinion. Sill. as its
proceedings have gone forth to the County
II becomes necessary To- place upon the re-
cord fact against assumption, truth against
error.
The County Court held its first session at
I'anville in The year .'t- Just sixty years
ago. Ut that time The Inhabitants of the
County could as easily be convened at Dan
Vile as at any other place but the sixty in
tcrvcning wears have wrought great changes
III the County. The towns bordering upon
the Pa>sumrsir River have increased in pop
ulatior and business at a rate far surprising
towns not thus favorably located. 1t is by
no NEAR. surprising that these towns should
desire to possess facilities for the tran>a, ton
Of their County business, equal at least, to
those enjoved by their neighbors. Hence,
for many years, the opinion has been very
generally expressed that sooner or later, the
Shire town must inevitably follow in the
wake of the County business and population.
The ruinous condition of the County Build
ings at D.nvilIc. and their general unitucs>
for the purposes Of the Court FASTENED this
, result II was apparent that the great qucs-
ton of ,.fcnSe could not bc cva'lc,l, and the
Issue took the form, that new buildings being
demanded, it was both policy and Justice to
locate them as near as possible to the centre
of population. SO clearly were these rea-
sons apprchendcd by the Legislature of the
State, at its last session in October, that a
law authorizing the removal Of the Shire
was passed 10y vote Of nine -tcnths OF the
House, and with the unanimous consent of
the Senate. The vote of County Represent.
ativcs stool II to 3 in its favor, with the
concurr, nee of both the County Senator'S
That the people Of Danvillc and ,hcWcstcr,
towns should be dissatisfied at the removal
is not surprising. and no fault is found with
its dign,li'I manifestation but they ough,
surely to reflect that the enjoyment, of the
facilities afforded by the County Shire tol
sixty years confcrs no right to claim the same
advantages forever, to the manifest prejudice
Of large majority Of the people who ar,
obliged, no less than themselves, to make use
Of those accommodations. In view ot thes,
considerations, generous attitude on the
part Of the Western towns would have beer
noble and magnanimous. 1t would hav,
gwen us real pleasure to have recorded tn,
silent manifestation of such sentiments and
we regret that any persons should have Join
cd themselves with cnvinus and disappointed
rivals in cnlcavO:s to thwart l.cgi>lati, |
enactment, if not to nullfy statute law Of
the State.
The Legislature has full power to organic,
Counties, and TO locate County Shircs til.
authority is vested in no other body Of men
and the LEGISLATURE is responsible to no hui
man power for its exercise. Sixty wears az,
the then Legislature Of Vermont made Dan
vile the Shire of Caledonia County hy tn.
same reference Of location to a comnitc,
Of impartial men as was done under the law
of 1888, removing the Shire from Danvil,
to some other place within certain designate,
limits.
The loration having been decided u;mr
by the Committee according to law, another
clause OF the same statute makes it imprra
tive upon TIE Judges Of The County Court I,
proceed without delay TO erect the ncccs>ar,
County buildings in the town where IN,
Committee had located them. The law com
mands the Judges aforesaid to act thus an,
so. The Danvllc resolutions ask them to de-
sist-to disobry the Lcgislaturc-to nullifv
in ;heir official capacity, statute law of III,
State Will they do it? Were they mel
totally unfit for Jud gcs; had they no reruta
ton for good, loyal, law abi,lin. citizens hat
they no respect for the obligations imposed
un,,r them +, their oa'hs of office. such a sup
position Nigh, possibly :" INDUCED, But i
would. nevertheless, rcnu,.r them objects OF
contempt in the eyes of nine tenth, OF the
very men who composed the Danville meet
ing. NOsuch result, however, need be fear.
ed. The Judges Of the County Court will
do their duty-neither have the people of
tn" County so base an opinion of them as tc
suppose they would dcsist from its perform
ance. The County Buildings will be erected
Just where the Legislature, by its agents, To-
Gated them. They will cost the County nei
Their 100000, $4,000, 100000, nor 5000