Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1857-02-13

| slblc as any other town OF equal size. Thus
its location was then eminently proper and
Just But since then public centers have
materially changed. They are now deter
mined by railroad facilities entirely. This
fact is illustrated IN the difference in the
mileage Of members from towns not more
than thirty or forty miles from Montpelier,
rs it existed at the time the present location
was given to the Capitol. and as it is now
reckon d. Since the introduction of rail-
roads the representatives from those towns
arc paid for from one hundred to one
hundred and fifty miles travel to
place they can reach by going thirty
miles. Hence territorial center may be
the most out Of the way place, and the last
to be named in connection with the meeting
OF public bodies. BY removal Of the
Capitol from Montpelier to Burlington or
either of several other towns n sensible re-
ducti0n could be efec ted in the mileage of
the Legislature. The facilities for reach
ing Montpelier by railroad are Of the most
meagre and embarrassing kind No other
town of any significance in the State is 50
unIayorably situated.
Again, the cOnvcniences for the accomnO-
dation Of the members Of the Legislature
and others having business at the capitol
during the session of tho General Assembly,
are not such as should be enjoyed, or as
can he enjoyed elsewhere. In making
this remark we intend no disparagement
to the citizans Of Montpelier. They have
done all in their power to extend such
facilities to their utmost limit. and have
been hOspltable to an unusual extent. The
cause Of the insuificiencv is beyond their
reach. The evil can only he remcdied by
u removable some larger village.
1t is undeniable that the situation Of the
Capitol at Montpelier, and all its surround.
l7gS are not such as IRE IN c0nsouaucc
with the magHincience Of the building IN
which our state business has been transacted.
Visitors from abroad as we'll az thousands
of our own citizens, when viewing our
former very beautiful State House have
marvolled that so elegant Il structure should
have such an lnliiT,ront site. Tho situati N
was the best the town afforded. but it was
not IN keeping with the building nor in
consonance with good taste The surround
ings of soil and atmosphere. and the un-
pleasant mode of ingrcss greatly enhance
the force Of the reasons for removal.
For these reasons chiefly we are DESTROYS
that the Capitol should be removed from
Montpelier to Burlington. Better than any
other town in the State the latter fuliil5 all
the necessary conditions as q suitable loca-
ton. Its beautiful situation, magnificent
buildings, commanding views, large popu,a
ton, dry soil fine sites for building, and very
convenient accessibility, all point it out to
| an unpreiudiced mind as the most suitable
| place for the capitol Of Vermont. 1t is ON
inently free from those objections that have
so frequently been urged against Montpelier
and which have led to serious efforts for re-
mOval even when the State House was in
good condition. 1t is so situated and con-
nected with all parts Of the state that a
great reduction would be made in the mile
age of members of the legislature. 1t has
other advantages patent to the most casual
observer, and which should not be dis.
regarded.
Were we governed by selfish considerations
we might urge the claims of our own beau
tiful village or did local pride control our
course, we should probably next decide upon
Bellows Falls as the proper locality. But
we wish to look at this matter in the broad
light of public good and public accomoia
tion. In deciding this question we pay but
little regard to offers that have been made
by several towns in the state. Vermont is
quite able to build her own State House, yet
if any town sees fit to DO it for her we shall
not object. But we object to making these
offers the basis Of location. The higher and
more enduring considerations that we have
pointed out should prevail in the settlement
Of this question.
Our sympathy with the people of Mont
peior, and the courteous manner in which
~" h"v" boon ever treated while there would
lead us to remain silent upon this quvstinn.
did not a sense of our duty to the publ,
compel US to give our opinion and the
grounds upon which 1t is based. We enter