Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1858-11-13
OLE Verm1ont 4genit.
BRATTLEBORO, VT'
SATURDAY, NOV. 10, 1903
Matters at Montpelier.

MONTPELIER, Nov. 9th, 1903.
Seasons You are well aware that am sc
situated as to be unable to keep you well post
ed in the movements, proceedings, and debates
of the Senate, hence you will appreciate the OBJ.
staclcs in the way of very satisfactory abstract
of the sayings and doings of that honorable
body. will only allude to one matter that has
occupied no small sharc'of the time and atten-
ton of the upper House, for the record OF
other transactions you must consult the lumin-
Gus reports in the Daily Journal
1t will be remembered by many of your read
ers that. last year, a sort of personal Liberty
Bil,"-one, the provisions of which were prac-
ticay to render imperative in this State, so far
as legislative enactment could effect that object,
the "Fugitiye Save Law" of 1Sj0,-was intro
duced into the House, and made, not only a
bone of contention between those who did not,
and those who did, think that our existing laws
were sufficient for the protection of our own cit
liens and all others who should become amena-
bic to their authority but an occasion, on the
part of Il few ceaseess agitators, for denounc-
ing the majority of the Republicans Of YER
mont, as men who were not in sympathy with
the anti-Slavery sentiment of the North, but
were DESTROYS of making the party too "llunk-
erish" or conservative. This year the battle is
transferred to the Senate and the contest bids
fair to attract quite as much attention in that
body, as it did in the House last year, and to
result in pretty much the same way. Senator
Nicholson, of Rutland county, is the leading
champion for such legislation, and the bill I'M
der consideration was substituted by him for
that referred to the Committee of which he is
the most prominent exponent. Mr.. Nicholson
is a very amiablc gentleman, and an excellent
Senator, but he seems to be, honestly without
doubt, penetrated by the idea that much good
would accrue to the Republican party as well as
to right and justice, to have our Legislation on
the subject of slavery well seasoned with salt,
pepper, vinegar and mustard, to make it sharp
and provocative of good digestion. Much as 1
esteem the man, and respect the integrity Of
his convictions, l can hardly be persuaded that
it is not better to cultivate a normal, healthy
appetite, that digests good, practical, common
sense legislation, rather than that which de-
mands too many of, and too frequently, these
condiments. The bill in question has been
made, think, the special order for Wednesday
next, when its consideration will be resumed,
and it will be soon thereafter pressed forward
to vote.
The House has been well supplied with petit
tons praying for ga law to nullify the Fugitive
Slave Law" ga law to render the Fugitive
Slave Law imperative in Vermont" and for
law "to prevent the surrender by any Court in
the State, any person claimed as a slave" or one
lowing service to another" The first caption
quoted conveys the essence and spirit Of these
petitions. Were there the most remote pract-
cal necessity for any such legislation there would
be more reason in getting up such petitions, and
in considering them, than there now appears to
me to be. In the first place, every body at all
conycrsant with the subject, knows how easy it
is for any one DESTROYS of obtaining little tran
silent notoriety and get his name in the legisla-
tive journal, to procure an indefinite number of
signatures on such a subject, here in Vermont.
Every man, woman and child, outside the dem
ocratic party, land that is too small to take into
the account,) is utterly and heartily opposed
from principle to chattel Slavery, and is ready
at all proper times, at least, to testify to their
adherence of that institution; and hence the
ease and facility with which such petitions are
obtained. In the second place, there is scarce
ly an intelligent man. in the State who does not
know and believe that any such legislation as is
contemplated by these petitioners, is work of
supererogation, so far as any direct, practical
necessity for it exists. 1t may be useful as an
indication of Vermont sentiment upon the sub
ject, but l think that if any one is disposed to
misinterpret that sentiment now, he would be
equally incredulous of the truth, though the
passage of forty such bills was effected.
The acceptance of the Philadelphia Platform
and. the endorsement of the resolutions of our
State Conventions are, to my mind sufficiently
emphatic and distinctive. The resolutions of
the Convention that put in nomination the very
able and excellent men who now fill our chief
offices of State are, it seems to me, so clear and
distinct that any legislation upon the subject
matter of these petitions, would fail to further
elucidate their declarations. Those resolutions
met not only the warm approval of the entire
State Committee, but their hearty adoption by
the convention were convincing proof of their
accuracy as induces and opponents of public
opinion. If it is deemed advisable to give them
reimbursement by resolution it is matter to
which no objection can be made, but it does
seem to me that, as before remarked our stat
ute-book contains sufficient security for all who
come within the jurisdiction of our laws.
The "act relating to Common Schools, passed
the House nearly unanimously, in very much
the same shape as when reported by the COM
mittee on Education, except that the 18th Sec
ton, providing for the laws and decisions relat-
ing to schools, was stricken out on the ground,
not that the provision was not wise and proper,
but that it was inexpedient to incur the addi-
tional expense just at this time, matter that
might endanger the passage of the bill. Itmay
be proper to remark that while the unfinished