Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1859-06-25

were voted for in Jamaica, for Justices Of the Peace
for the year then next ensuing receiving the number
Of votes set to their names respectively appears Of
record;--
S. T. r. Cheney, Sc votes. D. H. Rice. AZ votes.
David Eddy, SO Apheus Kellogg AZ
Luke Howard, 50 VIM. Hastings, 9s
II. II. FELTON,, 81 Isaac Higgins, "a
L. l.. Knowton, &c " A. NJ. Butler, II
Scattering, 80.
Jamaica is entitled to seven Justices; and accord
ing to the above list, which is copied from the records
the first seven were elected, and in due time were
titled to receive their commissions from the Governor
But the citizens of Jamaica were not little surprised
learn after the close of the session last fall that the
Legislature had failed 10 notice the first three names in
the above list and consequently that they had not
ceved commissions, but that commissions had been
issued to the above last seven named persons in the
list excluding the three having much the largest num-
Der Of votes
Our election law makes it the duty of the presiding
officer OF freemcns meeting, who the constable at
the meeting when the above votes were cast to make
n certificate in open meeting Of the names Of each
person voted for for Justices and county officers with
the number Of votes given for each annexed to his
name, to designate the office for which the votes
given, ana 10 cause tue 10 DC III
Town Clerks office.
And he is further required to seal up such certificate
and deliver the same to Representative to the
General Assembly previous to the annual session
thereof And it is made the duty Of the Representa-
tive TO whom the certificate is delivered, to the
to be delivered to the legislative canvassng com
mittee; the canvassing committee arc required to
anime each certificate, AMI to ascertain the number Of
given for each candidate, and the persons hay
ing the largest number Of votes for Justices and the
other county officers, shall be declared duly elected,
and by such committee be reported to the General
Assembly. And the officers elected shall be
missioned by the Governor. After completing the
canvass, the committee required to deposit all GER
tifcates presented to Them in the Office Of the Score
tary Of State.
Upon learning last fall that the three highest candi
dates had not been commissioned by the Governor,
for the office for which they had been chosen, by
clean majority, we began to cast about for the facts
that could lead to such n result
We had not forgotten tina, three years ago II similar
misfortune happened to the good people of Jamaica.
Seven Justices, Maine law men, elected by Il
large majority. But the canvassng committee for
this comfy, by mistake no doubt reported seven
ant-Maine law men, the minority ticket and the
of freedom-alias, free run,had glorious tri-
umph in Jamaica.
Neither had we forgotten that some of orr free rum
men Jamaica, gave out in speeches on that occa-
SION tina. these Maine law men should hold no more
Offices in Jamaica.
The friends Of temperance were good deal exer-
csed when seven Justices who had been duly elected
to Office failed Of having their legal rights recognised
by the Legislature. They concluded, however. that
such might happen once purely by mis-
take. and so felt more than they said abou; it, But
that Of this kind, that paryzes the right
Of self-governmeni should happen twice the same
town, within so short period of time, and be con-
fined solely to Maine law men, is to say the least
something of a legislative puzzle.
Our Constable last fall was Il Maine law man. He
made out his certificate in due form Of law, and de-
livcred it to our Representative Rev Robert MYERS,
who delivered the same certificate to the canvassne
committee required by law Here we lose sight Of
the certificate. The Secretary Of State writes that
was never deposited in his office by the canvassng
committee the law directs.
1t is very certain that twice, and within Il recent
period, the legal voters of Jamaica have been deprived
OF their right have the elective franchise respected
in the guaranteed them bv the constitutions
and Of the right to hive Justices and to have
such men exercise Office they shall choose Ivy
lority Of their votes
The question comes up where shall we look for
from whom can we learn explanation Of the mat
ter. One would think that the chairman Of the can
wasting committee, Senator Clarke of Br.tleboru 10
be very proper person to give us the facts in the
Possibly he and will tell US how it happen
ell that the first three the list those who
seemed to be specially favored by the voters struck
slough in their progress 10 their commissions; and
why the certificates deposited with the Sec
Rotary Of State as the law requires
We feel disposed to be charitable in viewing the
case and try 10 believe that person intended 10
commit fraud in the transaction; but after ALL per
haps it would not be unreasonable to know the truth
in this matter If there has been negligence on the
part of officials the people ought certainly TO know it,
and in to influence them when they shall be
solicited TO vote for those who may have been guilty
OF il. If no person can be blamed it is equally i'm
portant for Of the citizens OF jamaica to be con
WINGED Of it, For in the absence Of proof in regard
to the responsb lily for wrong done every person is
left to his own conjectures and suspicious. a state
Of things in which none but the author Of mischief
can take delight. a CITIZEN OF JAMAICA
June Goth, 1859