Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1858-12-30
Senator Jones, of Windham County, said /:

Senator Jones, of Windham County, said;
"The whole bill was a humbug: he was enc Of
those who did not regard it nagnanlmous, hon
0rable or fair, to ask or require any town to
erect State House and give it to the State
lie did not come here on a begging Grand. He
very much mist0ok the character Of his con-
stituency If they expected him to do any such
thing. lie did not think Burlington, or any
other town, could afford to build sJch an edifce
as the State would required lie did not be-
lieve, indeed, that they ever expected to do 50.
The several towns now making these extravagant
offers, We're undoubtedly doing 50 expecting, and
in his opinion nationally expecting, that future
Legislatures in their wisdom and magnanmity
will refund to them part, it not all of the ex.
pense.
On the 2Gth of February, Senator Gregory,
of Washington County, said he was authorized
to say that Montpelier would do as much as
Burlington.
Senator Hunton slid, "thesc proceedings are
another example of the same peddling dlspo-
siton. ="
On the 9th February, (tho last day. the mi
nority of the Committee Senator Underwood
Of Clittendcn County, and Senator Field OF
Rutland County,) to which had been referred
the bill which had passed the House to rebuild
at Montpelier, reported that " the State is vir-
tually contracting with Montpelier to furnish
the means and build the State House, relying
upon promise to repay to the State, by the in
habitants Of Montpelier, after the york is done
Sach bond would probably never be collected. ;
And they offered an amendment requiring
Montpelier to proceed and build the House
tins amendment WaS rejected.
Senator Underwood then offered an amend
ment that Montpelier should pay in from time
to time as the money might be wanted which
was rejected.
Senator Piorpoint. of Addison County, moved
to add after the word "repairs" the words cen
largemem off, saying there was reasonable
doubt us the bill now is, whether the Commits
sinners would judge themselves authorized tt
enlarge It, This motion was rejected.
Senator Underwood moved to strike out thu
prooiSo which required the bond saying:
- The proviso is a mere farce, and we are get
ing the reputatonof trying to drive sharp bar
gain without knowing enough to carry it out
1t is folly to deceive ourselves and US we arr
tn build our own State House, let us come for
ward in spirit of liboralty and build it out o
the Treasury of the State
Right we'll and nobly spoken Honestl,
spoken to-, undoubtedly, for he had then giveI
up the contest, Pity It's that Burlington ha
not now other voices to give like manly utter
ances And the bill passed the Senate in con
currence.
Such is the history of the Extra Session. AM
we arr proud of the general tone of the senti
mcnts expressed. They were generous, nobl
and statesnlnlike No paltry, niggartiy spiri
prevailed. Burlington placed her offer upo1
| the very ground that she wished to stand egu0
with Montpelier. Only two persons in the Leg
stature spoke flvorabIy of receiving contribu
tons from any town. Mr.. Marsh, of Brandon
alphabetically.
As before said. Burlington by her newspaper
and some Of her citizens has been making til
heavens resound with clamors against Mont
pelier as having acted in k.bad faith, !" and 'on
OF her papers declares that the cheeks of til
people ofAlontpeer should ting Gwith shame.
These are charges Of grave magnitude. Blu
| however much we dislike personalities, the cit
zens of Montpelier are too sensitive as to thei
honor and too DESTROYS of the esteem Of tn
State that honors her with its Capitol, to allo'
such false accusations to pass IN silence withou
denial 1t is fitting that Montpelier shout
appeal to the Judgment of an intelligent an
candid State. Selfrespect demands it, and cal
upon us to scrutinIze also the character for goo
faith Of Burlington hersey,-the utterer {
these charges.
At the Session of 1856. the Session previor
to the destruction of the State House, the nam
of Mr.. Merrill, of Montpelier, was freely use
IN connection with the Speakership But
declined to have his name used in opposition
Mr.. Grandy Afterwards, and prior to tt
October Session, A. d. 1857. Mr.. Merrill, Nj
Elmunds, of Burlington, Mr.. Plerpoint,
Rutland and Mr.. Deane, OF Cavendish, wei
spoken of by different influential persons an
papers, as candidates for Speaker. The lrient
Of Mr.. Elmunds suggested to prominent citizel
of Montpelier, that it would be generous an
magnanimous for Montpelier to yield all pr
tensions as to the Speakership that Burlingto
regarded the STATE House question settled 70
ever that Burlington intended to take an hol
orable course, to favor the policy of the State
proceeding to bald the State House by appr
pri1tions and that the election of Mr.. f,
munds would be "burying the Ratchet.
Tne subject was Diseased at Montpelier, ar
more or less over the State, and conflicting opil
ions were expressed as to the policy of Nj
1 Merrill withdrawing in favor Of Mr.. Edmund
slmo of the citizens of Montpelier and of the
abest friends in other pIrts of the State, doub
ing as to the expediency of Montpelier TIT
placing herself under the power of her hitler
mp'aeailc ft3, It was under these circumstal
COS that the reprlsentativesass9mbled on Wednc
day, the day previous to the session, and the sui
ject was freely canvassed. 1t WAS consdert
t, b, clearly the right Of the friends of the Il
cation at Montpelier, to claim that it was Il
sated policy of the State to proceed and iinis
the State House, and to make the necessary Al
preparation TOR the complct'on and to claim til,
the action of the Chair should in all respec
accord NTH tbs policy. And in order to asce
thin whether tho policy of Mr. Edmunls,
elotted, would correspond with their own, son
Of the loading members of the House call,
upon him to ascertain h,s views and Mr.. L
mands, in a frank and free manner. stated th;
he was in favor Of m liking an anpropriation