Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1859-01-15

thOrty.
] am accused in the article referred to, of ap-
pointing majority of the Committee Of Ways
and Means lin the article, called Committee of
Finance) from localities opposed to Montpe-
ler." the meaning of which take to be that /
hacked that committee in order to pecent an
appropriations That committee was composed
of Mr.. Hebard of Chelsea, Mr.. Hubbard of Con-
cord, Mr.. Hall of Swanton, Mr.. Hammond OF
Middlebury, and Mr.. Westover of Casteton.-
A majority Of it was not from "localitics oppos-
ed to Montpelier" unless it be established that
Mr.. Stewart, who represented Nliddlebury in
1856 and 1857, misrepresentcd and betrayed his
constituents in cxcrting rs he did, controlling
influence in favor of rebuilding the Capitol at
Montpelier. can hardly suppose hat the peo-
pie of Montpelier will assent to such conchi-
sion, even TO put me in the wrong.
But however this may be, it is sufficient to say
that tro of the three members Of the committee
who were from the West side of the State, were
placed on that committee at the special solicita-
ton and request of Geo. w. Coamer, Esq, the
representative from Montpelier fact which
have reason to believe Mr. Collame cannot have
forgotten. They were gentlemen with whom
had at that time no personal acquaintance but
they represented wealthy and intelligent constt-
ucncies, and their wishes or opinions upon any
subject of legislation Incther knew nor had any
interest to know.
believe am charged with some sin in the
appointment of the Committee on Public Build
ings. Il have not the article lefore me, and
may be in error as to this) 1t need only be
said that a majority of that c)mmilte were the
steadfast friends of Montpelier (as their votes
provcd) TO the last, but it !, true that they had
sufficient honesty and courage to report what
ever they thought was wrong in the progress OF
the work. ] confess 10 an admiration of such
men.
am accused Of appointing the House Com
mttee of Conference for the purpose Of preUeRt-
ing an agreement between the two Houses
This is entirely without foundation belief
of a mind that finds II more agreeable, and more
in unison with its everyday life, to believe evil
than good.
The House, with a majority Of nearly twenty
members who were locdIiy favorable to Mont
pelier had by majority of more than thirty re-
fused to make dRy appropriation out of State
funds. was in such case bound by every
rule of Parliamentary practice as well as by ev-
cry principle of honor and decency to make a
majority of that committee fully represent the
majority of the House. The minority of that
committee was composed of gentleman whose
appointment was, think, quite satisfactory to
Montpelier, and whose counsels, had they been
followed, | suspect have produced different
and less questionable plan, and it may be result
The President of the Senate appointed com
mittee which fully represented the views of the
majority of the Senate, which for aught l car
discover was pretty much the same thing that
did, unless it can be maintained that it was righ
to express the voice of the majority of the Sen
ate for Montpelier, but rddicatiy ,crong to ex
press the voice of the ma ority of the HOUSE
against Montpelier. 1 cannot help thinking
that 1.-The peculiar fitness" of Mr.. Merrill for thu
speakership, would have led han under the sam,
circumstances, although citizen of Montpe
lier) to do the same thing.
Lastly, i am accused of having ''refused. It
receive" the propositions of the Senate, mad
/ after conference had been'held.
| did nothing of the kind. laid both com
munications before the House, which with en-
tire mionimity, ordered hem to be returned.
have yet to hear any one question the strict pro
priety of that proceeding
will occnpy no more Of your space or tim
with the refutation of the general insnuation
contained in the article. Neither Burlington
nor its representatives are the "foes" of Mont
| pelier, nor do we mean to be so if we can hell
it; but we are liable to the common iniirmitie
of human nature, and we may be dr0,cn into
state of hostility by the temptations which sour
rility and abuse offer ms. Ishould not hav
noticed this article at all, had not a letter ap
peared, within day or two from respectabl
citizen of Montpelier, stating that this articl
embodied the sentiment of your people. Ii
such case. justice to myself and respect for tn
opinions of the people of the State demand
reply.
| am sorry that want of success in measur
oflegisation should have led the people ofAIont
pelier, for whom | have always had high re
spect. and with many of whom am on term
Of friendship, to regard every misfortune in tn
progress of that measure, as the fruit of unfair
ness in the presiding officer of the House, an
corrupt combinations ofits members, Such in
putations, like dread cast on the waters," q
surely return at last, in the shape of positiy
evils to those that least" them-M Scmentel
teceris, tia Il metes
One cannot be expected to follow the news
papers to explode every bubble of SANDER as
appears, and should not have troubled 70
with this letter had it not seemed that the art
Gle to which have replied was the delbera'
manifesto of the people to Montpelier.
will dismiss the subject now, md Q'trus
forever. Yours, resp, GEo. +. EDNUNDs
Burlington, Jan. Sd, 1859.