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

the eastern part of the State, which we will not
say arc in the interest of Montpelier, but Which
do represent constituencies that voted TO make
an unconditional appropriation for the compile
ton of the State House, have published articles,
either as editorials or as communications, and
in some cases both, rejecting ungenerousy up
on the action Of those.mcmbers of the House of
Representatives opposed to an unconditional
appropriation, and imputing TO them motives of
a very sinister character. A few weeks since
we copied from the Caledonidi, a meritcd re-
bukc to these who have thus sought to Giscredit
The character OF honorable members. From va
rious sources we learn that these discreditable
imputations and reflections do not express the
feelings and convictions of the people of Mont
pelier generally, but are entertained by very
limited number only Of her citizens. In coniir-
nation of this view of the case we publish the
followingvery sensible remarks from the Patriot
whose editor is everywhere recognised as gen.
tleman;
at may be as proper to state, now, as ever,
that to articles that fairly and oandidIy sustain
Montpelier, the editor of this paper takes no
exceptions; bat from charges against the mo-
tiyes of those who have not agreed with us, from
hippant rigmarole aud low blackguardsm, he
dissents altogether He dissents from motives
of policy he dissents because it is unfair that
the people of Montpelier should be degraded to
the level of fshmongers, and because he knows
how natural it is, for the public Judgment to de-
eide where blackguardism is the weapon used,
it is the only one that can be used.
The position of Montpelier is impregnable,
and it is unjust to the place to allow the use of
attack or defence that bellies it. There is not
only no earthly necessity for calling inquestion
the motives of those who do not agree with US,
but it is impolitic and unjust When, in any
contest, descent is made to scurrity, and per-
sonalities, the battle is half lost.
We have vet to learn that representative from
towns in this State, have not the right to act in
accordance with their Judgment, on the State
House question, without subjectng themselves
to personal abuse from Montpelier papers. We
have yet to learn that people cannot visit Mont
pelier during the session, and return home with
out an exposition, in Montpelier papers, of the
private affairs between themselves and their
boarding houses. We have vet to learn that
members are to be drawn and quartered, in the
Montpelier prints, because theyact as they Judge
best in relation to the State House. We have
yet to learn that it is fair, or honorable to de-
cent, to attack with low, personal abuse the
member from Brpttleboro', or any other town,
whatever may have been his action upon the
matter in question. Ifanything is deemed prop
CT to be said, the official conduct of members,
is always open to fair, and honorable criticism,
and of that no member can complain. 1t is
plain enough to us, that Montpelier has either
been misunderstood, or misrepresented perhaps
both-but the representatives acted under their
official cath, which, in all civilized communities,
ought to be sufficient to shield them from per-
sonal abuse and black guardism. The position
of Montpelier too easily be defended in Il
fair and manly way without descending to yul-
Sarity and nonsense Her papers will never
abuse the people of the State into justice. They
will never convince by deiraction or BY assum-
ing an autocrasy that only excites rdicule, and
no far az this paper is concerned, it is believed
that what has been alluded to, does not meet
the appreciation of the people Of Montpelier.
Another word it is not believed, that the
people of the State take mach interest in the
rivalries or ealousies that one location may ell
terrain for another. They ha,elocated the Cap
itol at Montpelier They are neither mean nor
miserly They will see the whole question in
its true light, and will do justice to Montpelier
and il it were true, which it is not, that her
people countenanced the indiscre,ion and folies
to which allusion has been made, it might be
added-in spite OF herself
The Montpelier papers have ntlypablish
ed a communication, filing five columns anC
giving what purports to be an abstract of tht
Legislation of the extra session, bv which the
State House was to be rebuilt at Montpelier
together with 4 review of the action of the lat.
legislature in Withholding an unconditional APP
,,rnNv;otior To Al
from the proceedings of the extra session there
in made, and heremarks appended thereto, dc
not give a full and fair view of the subject. W,
make this observation from memory, not hay
ing the proceedings before us. But we shall
pass over that portion of this communication
now, and for the present only refer to so mucl
of it as treats of the conduct of the Speaker o
the House of Representatives.
OF the arrangements made by which Mr.. Ed
munds was first chosen Speaker of the House
We know nothing as we were not present a
Montpelier at that time nor during the session
of 1857. But the main charges that Mr.. Ed
munds, during the session of 1858, acted in
manner to discredit him as an impartial presid
oiuSci, oipi " Jul hhiiui hol proven. 90 lil VI
wehad anopportunity to observe it ever seemed
to us that few men could even hope to discharg,
the important and often very delicate duties o
Speaker to more general acceptance, and at tn,
same time carry into effect the rules the Hous
adadopted for their own government, than di,
Mr.. Edmunds during the last session. From
frequent and an intimate personal and official in
tercourse with him we can speak confidently o
his intention and desire to decide every point q
parliamentary rule in strict accordance with it
spirit and intention. His measure of success
may safely be left to those members best &C
quainted with the rules of the House and tn
decisions made.
On the main points embraced in this chare
Mr.. Edmunds has seen fit to speak for himsel
as will be seen in his letter to the Hutclna
and Journal, which we insert here. We hon
it will be carefully read:
10 the Editor ef.the JVatchma and STA
JouyWal-SW:
My attention has been directed to an editor
al recently published in the Freeman, and to a
article OF the same tenor published as comm
nication in your paper touching the State Hous