Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1857-03-27


people, and they could see no better way of
showing it, so far as holding legislative
sessions were concerned, than by moving
them about, so as to give all as fair chance
as possible to escape the inconvenlences OF
travel over the imperfect roads Of new and
uneven country. Gradually, Inconvenience
from those constant changes were felt and
as members could travel from Connecticut
river valley, up the valley of the White
river, and from Champlain valley up the
valley of the Winooski-(Onio river as it
was then called )-these two valleys cutting
the State in two more equally than any other
line Of travel, 1T seemed natural enough tor
the members to get together somewhere not
far from the middle of that route. Montpelier
was fixed upon, under the conditions which
our readers are familiar with.
Small as the cost of the State House build
ing was (about $S000,) it was thought to
be quite an object by the members of the
Legislature to have it furnished free Of tax
to the people at large and on the part of
the people of Montpelier it showed liberal
ity and enterprise to provide il. 1t is to be
remembered that it was then the day of
small things in the State. Most Of the peo-
pie were poor. At that time the population
of Montpelier could not have been, for the
whole township, much If any over 1000
persons, all told. Burlington was then just
about as populous, and in both places we
suppose most of the people were living in
log houses. Montpelier was near the geo
graphical centre Of the State-so far at
least as accessibility in any fair way, was
commended Whether it would prove to be
IN other respects suitable place for the
capital OF the State, probably few thought
or cared. The capital was selected Just as
in new regions the people usually select
sites for school houses ana meeting houses,
as Il witty clergyman used to say,-not
from regard to pleasantness or to the real
convenience Of any Jody; but on the prin-
ciple of being equally inconrenient TO aH
That the location was soon acknowledged
by many in the State to have been an unfor-
tunate one is well known. Intelligent
Strangers remarked on it as such in strong
terms. This is seen in u strik-
ing passage from the - Travels in New Eng
land and New York, by Timothy Dwight"
then and for many years after, President of
Yale College, DR.. Dwight was a man of
large and discriminating observation-no
man of his day in our country more so.-
lie travelled extensively through Vermont in
1906, making notes Of observation by the
way. That was the year after the Legisla-
ture had fixed upon Montpelier for the seat
of government He was at Montpelier in
September, and his observations are as fol.
lows
g." Montpelier is situated at the confluence of two
head waters Of Onion river. The intervals on tbi;
stream commence at its mouth and extend with
few Interruptions to this place. The valley i.
here large enough to contain village, of perhaps
thirty or forty houses, within 4 reasonable vcin.
ity The hills. which are high and sudden, an.
preach SO near the river, to form defle IA til.
er than an open valley. About thirty or forty
buildings houses, stores and shops ; already
erected here. A few other buildings and amour
them State House, are begun
The Legislature of Vermont has lately fixed
upon tins spot, as the permanent seat Of govern.
ment. The determination is obviously unwise ;
and must have resulted from very limited or very
prejudiced views. 1t cannot boast even of a cen.
trail position. But such a position is in this case
OF no serious Importance, and ought scarcely to
be regarded. The first object aimed at in IN cas-
ure OF this nature, ought to be a large, and il
possible commercial town In such a place
agreeable accommodations may be furnished to
governmental agents. Here will ordinarily be
found improved manners, extensive information
and acknowledged respeetability. Hitler, also
the stream of business will usually run cir.
cumstance, always convenient to the parties con.
cerned
BY that association of ideas, which is SO prom.
inent characteristic Of the human mind, little
town, when the seat of government, will ALWAYS
impart its lttleness to the Legislature and To all
Its c0adJutors. Everything must here exist on a
very limited scale. That conversation which in
the hours Of leisure cannot fail Of being resorted
to as relief from the fatigue of business, must
be confined, and degrading. All busy men must
have their hours Of relaxation and where refined
and superior amusements cannot be obtained will
to great extent, spend those hours in such as are
trifing and contemplate The character Of town
in which Legislature holds its sessions, will be
impaired to its members and ultimately, to it.
measures. If this be not good, il will be had n
it be not honorable, it will be despicable
Montpelier is now SO small, scarcely to fur.
nlsh either shelter, or lodging, for the Legislature
OF this state and its situation is such as TO for.
bid the hope OF any future, material enlargement
AS Vermont Is separated into three distinct parts
the mountains, and the countries East and West Of
them and as the mountains can be conveniently
passed only through a few clefts Windsor and
burlington would undoubtedly be better chosen
as alternate seats OF the Government than apy
other towns in the State The inhabitants ON ont
side OF the mountains will scarcely be willing ID
go, always, to the other side and the mountain,
themselves can never furnish a proper place fol
TINS purpose ihese towns must think, neoes
sarily become superior In wealth, and population
to any other. Both Of them admit of conyenien,
access and the character Of the inhabitants will
be SUCH as not to detract from the proper respect
sb!lity of the Government"
Fifty years have made a great change il
Montpelier, and it contains people of re
tnement, intelligence and wealth, as wei
as other towns in the State But the abrupt
hills which shut It in are just as near tC
each other as they ever were The members
of the Legislature enjoy marvellous Sc
clusion from the outer world, knowing very
little more of what is going on abroad
even in their own State, than if they were
inclosed in large pen. This is proverbial
Railroad improvements have made it easier
for people to get there than it was former
ly, but it has not enlarged the atmosphere
in which they move when they are there
DR.. Dwight was prophetic in what he said
Of the unfayorable effect of such influences
on legislative body Fifty years expert
ence in Montpelier has verified it in hun.
dreds of instances. 1t was verified in the
determination to stay therein 1892. 1t has
been verified again in the late decision OF
the Legislature, and were another session
to be held month hence it would be verified
over again.
The lobby system is pernicous one any
where. In confined place like Montpelier
the facilities for applying it are unsurpass.
ID Members can not GET out of the reach