The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1862-06-13
From the Rutland Herald.
THE MEN OF VERMONT.
Il. STEPHEN ROYCE.

mail "ii1onS tne many aOle men
OF that town, who were distinguished in the
early history of the state. He was one of
the delegates from Tinmouth to the conven-
ton which met at Cephas Kents in Dorset,
in July l774, to declare Vermont free and
independent state His son Stephen moved
to Berkshire in the county of Franklin, and
for many years represented that town in the
general assembly of Vermont. He married
daughter of Hon Ebenezer Marvin
Judge Marvin occupied leading place in
our early history. He was member of the
first council of censors, and respectively
chief Judge of the county courts for the coun-
ties of Rutland, Chittenden, and Franklin.
Stephen Royce, the twenty-frst governor
OF Vermont, was the oldest son of Stephen
Royce, the second above named, and was
born at Iinmouth on the 18th day of Au-
gust 1877. He prepared for college at the
then widely known Addison County Gram
mar School, and graduated at Middlebury
College in 1907, in the same class with Gov
ernor Slade. Of this class We have more
particularly spoken in another article.
lie studied law with his maternal uncle,
Ebenezer Marvin, Jr, Esq, at Sheldon. AT.
ter reading the usual length of time he was
admitted to the bar in Franklin county,
He first commenced the practice of his pro-
.esson at East Berkshire in Franklin county.
After remaining there short time, he re-
moved to Sheldon, in the same county, where
he continued iii practice about six years.
After this, he removed to St Adams, and
continued in active practice till 1929, except
during the years 1926 and 1927, when he
was one of the judges of the supreme court
In 1929, he again removed to East Berk-
shire where he still resides.
He represented the town of Sheldon in
the legislature of Vermont in 1915 and
1916. He was also representative from St
Adams in 1922, 1923 and 1924; and was
the delegate from that town to the constitu-
tlonal convention of 1922.
During the year 1916 and 1917, while re-
siding at Sheldon, he was states attorney for
the county of Franklin.
In 1925 he was elected one of the associ-
ate judges Of the supreme court of Vermont
and was reelected in 1926. The next year
he declined reelection and resumed the
practice of his profession. In 1929 he was
again elected one of the judges of the su-
preme court, and was continued on the BEL ch
till 1852, thus receiving twenty-three sue
cesslve annual elections, which together with
his former service, makes twenty-five years.
as judge of the supreme court of Vermont
a longer term of service than any other per-
son has ever held that office in this state
On the retirement of Judge Williams in
1916 he was unanimously elected chief JUS
tice and was reelected in 1917, 4S, 40, sc
and 81. In 1852 he declined reelection
| and returned to his farm in East Berk shire
with the intention of passing the rest of his
days in retirement.
During the same year QSj2) he was ap.
pointed by Governor Fairbanks, chairman
of board Of commissioners, authorized by a
resolution of the legislature, to report such
provisions and amendments in regard to
pleadings and practice in our courts, as in
their judgment would be beneficial.
Soon after the passage of the territorial
bills, SO well known as the kansas-Nebraskt
bill, by congress, in 1854, the wings Of Yer
mont met in convention, for the purpose o
declaring their views in refere nee to prime
PIES contained in those measures, and for tn.
further purpose of nominating candidates tt
be supported by that party, in the ensuing
state election. Stephen Royce, who had al
ways been a whig, with great unanimity wa
nominated for governor. Oscar l.. Shafte
was in like manner nominated for lieutenan
governor. He subsequently declined tn
nomination, and Ryland Fletcher was placed
on the ticket in his stead. Both Of these
gentlemen had of late years acted with tn
ultra antislavery party. In the resolution
adopted by the convention, was the follow
!, ing, which was adopted by nearly unani
y " nous vote:-
"Resolred, That We hereby invite the co
' operation of all the freemen of Vermont, VIII
- agree with US in the principles and purpos
y es herein set forth, Offering on our part, mos
D cordially to give our confidence to those VIII
confde in u.s.
,, BY this course, all those who believed tha
~ y, it was the right and duty of congress, unde
~ ., the constitution, to prohibit by positive er
- actment, the extension of slavery into tn
IL territories Of the United States then fire
!, were consolidated in one party. Althoug
~ this was nomiually, whig convention, an
was called as such-yet by the course it pu
&c sued, both in its nominations and in its de-
~ laration of principles-it was in fact, til
30 first republican convention in Vermont
II The next year the state committee appointe
{ by this convention called republican col
" vention, and nominated the same candidate
Vs. Judge Royce was elected governor by son
~ ~ eleven thousand majority. He was re-elec
ta h., ed in 1866 by an equally decisive majorit
-, The acts of his administration are too recel
and too we'll known to require mention.