Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1860-11-23
MoyIPEusR, Nov. Is, 1860.
MEssRs. EpIToRs -


The battle upon the State
House question has at last begun. From quarter
past two this afternoon, until nearly half past
five. the conflict raged-not with remarkable
ferceness indeed but earnestly, without interrup-
tion by vote, call, or motion whatever. The par
ticuar question was upon tho adoption Of Mr..
Gleed's amendment proposed yostordayi but the
discussion was upon that and the general question
as we'll.
Mr.. Allen OF Rutland, led of in opposition, in
an evidently well considered and well received
speech lie spoke of the difficulties under which
the opponents labored, tho unanimous report of
the Committee having been printed for sometime,
and circulated far and wide, in which, of course,
none Of the views and feelings and grounds of the
opposition had been presented. 1t had gone forth
as the voice ofthe House too, and as such, would
have influence upon public opinion in the matter
He read the law of 1867, and adverted to the fact
tha. it was introduced by the member of the
House from Montpelier, and was just what Mont
peier people then seemed to want. Not to pay
Montpelier this S42, 500, it had been said, was
"repudiation." He utterly repudiated repudia-
ton, an as strongly rcpudiated the idea that
there was in this claim any shadow of legality or
justice. Mr.. Canfeld of Arlington, also opposed
the measure in IN effective speech. Mr.. Myers Of
Jamaica, also opposed the claim, but was under
stood to favor tho measure if the appropriation
should be accepted as gratuiy from the State to
Montpelier.
1t was advocated by Messrs. Denison of Royal
ton, Diokerman of Charleston, Gleed of Morris.
town, Smith OF St. Adams, Thomas Of W. Fairlee
and Godding Of Burke, mainly on the grounds that
it was q matter Of State pride to have tho State
House freed from every even Shado,o Of claim Of
this kind matter of justice to the State and to
Montpelier slike-that if Vermont wanted State
House she was able to build it and ought to; and
because the Legislature of 1857 made mistake in
taking into consideration what the rival localities
would give towards the new House rather than
the sole question where the best interests Of the
| whole State demanded the location Of the House
20 be, was no reason why we should refuse to do
what it was generally acknowledged the State was
| able and ought to do. Certain statistics were
given which might have influence with some. Out
Of the l6l Subscribers II Z was said, were abso-
iuteiy worth nothing. II less than $1,000, II les
than $1,000, Is less than $1,000, SO from 5000 to
$4,000, making 81, little moro than half. Tho
condition of the rest did not appear. One or two
retty sharp passages occurred during the discus
sion, but in the main the temper CT gentlemen
was we'll preserved. Some humorous hits helped
doubtless to preserve the good nature aud patience
Of every one.
Mr.. Allen in the course CT his remarks had said
that the people Of Montpelier were getting their
pay for what they had expended upon the State
House as they went along, year by year. The
Capitol being here was source Of great profit TO
them every year. Mr.. Diekerman (who sits in
the same seat with Mr.. Allen), in rising to reply
said that he was mach surprised to hear any such