Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1863-08-04
The District Convention at Rutland.

nominate a candidate for Congress for this Dis
trict, was one Of the largest political bodies ever
assembled in this State indeed, we doubt If iE
times of great political excitement it is often that
q larger convention is got together. The atten-
dance from the Counties of Addison, Rutland,
and Bennington, was, as might have been expect
ed, much larger in proportion than that from
Washington, though every town but two from
this County was represented, and nearly hun
bred were present, in all, from our wing of the
District. As we stated a week ago, the principal
persons talked Of as candidates before the Con-
vention assembled, were Hon. f. L. Woodbridge,
and Hon. John W. Stewart Of Addison County,
and A. B. Gardner, Esq Of Bennington and it
soon became evident that the first of these gen.
tlemen would carry large majority Of bis own
County, while Mr.. Gardner would be supported
by the entire delegation from Bennington County.
Rutland County was quiet, waiting for develop
ments, while Washington County was divided be-
tween the friends of Mr.. Woodbridge and Of Mr..
Gardner, with quite sprinkling Of gentlemen
who were unpledged and ready to 60 for the best
man. 1t was rumored in the morning, before the
Convention assembled, that Rutland County
would with very general unanmty when the
proper moment arrived, present the name OF
Judge Kellogg, Of Benson.
At u O'Clock the multitude crowded into the
Town Hall, filling all the available space. A. b.
Gardner, Esq +, Of the District Committee, called
the Convention to ORDER and on his nomination
Col. G. II. Joyce Of Rutland was chosen Presi-
dent. Col. Joyce, on taking the chair, made a
spirited speech, which elected frequent applause.
The organization Of the Convention being COM
pleted by the appointment Of Vice President and
Secretaries, business commenced. After some
preliminary skirnishing, resolution was adopted
providing that each County should elect Nomi-
mating Committee equal to twelve times its num-
Der Of State Senators, one TO be chosen by each
town represented, and the remainderto be selected
by the County in mass convention. This gave Ad'
Olson County enty-four of the nominating com
mittee, Rutland thirty-six, Bennington twenty
four, and Washington thrty.six. The Counties
then went by themselves" and chose their COM
mttee.
This business was not completed till after two
o'clock, the time set for the meeting Of the Nom.
mating Committee. The first ballot 10 the Nom
mating Committee showed that Rutland County
was nearly unit for Loyal G. Kellogg, that gen
tleman receiving 30 votes out of the SO to which
the County was entitled. Mr.. Gardner, on th
ballot, was supported by the "a votes from hi
own County, and by enough from other Countie
to bring his number up to 81. Mr.. Stewart hat
but s votes, and these not wholly from Addison
County, Mr.. Woodbridge having nearly 20 vote
from that County. The balance Of Mr.. Wood
BRIDGES vote on the first ballot--in all, we think
4O--was made up, from Rutland County or .
and from Washington County II or Is. Wash
ington County, on this ballot, gave IS votes 70
Hon. James Green of Waterbury. On the secon'
ballot Messrs Woodbridge, Kellogg and Gard
ner increased their votes about in the same pre-
I portion, Mr. Stewards vote remaining the same
and Mr.. Green receiving no votes. Several furthe
ballots were taken, until the last ballot but one
when Mr.. Kellogg received 81 votes, Mr.. Wood
bridge 49, Mr.. Gardner 23, and Mr.. Stewart 2
the votes which had fallen off from Mr.. Gardne
having evidently been thrown for Judge Kellogg
On the last ballot, however, Mr.. Woodbridge re
ceired GO, Judge Kellogg Al, MIR. Gardner 0, an
Mr.. Stewart |, and Mr.. Woodbridge was declare
nominated. In this ballot Bennington Count
:, undoubtedly voted pretty generally for MI
: Woodbridge, and he received very large vot
from Washington County The nomination wa
made unanimous and reported TO the Conyer
ton, and received with much applause. Nj
, Woodbridge then addressed the Convention brie
ly, and as he always speaks, handsomely and elC
quenty, and the Convention adjourned in exec
lent spirits and with very general. il not univel
sal, satisfaction with the result.
So for as our observation extended, the conte,
, for the nomination, though warm and spirited
was, with rare exceptions, without acrimony G
any personal feeling beyond the usual interest the
each candidate and his friends will always feel i
the canvass. Judge Kellogg's name was used, q
We understand, not at his solicitation, but only Q
expressing the preference of large majority
Rutland County, and his eminent fitness for th
place ives conceded by every member of the Cor
venton. Mr.. Gardner. backed unanimously b
his own County made strong showing, but
: was evident after the second ballot that the choc
would fall upon Mr.. Woodbridge or Judge Ke
logg, and Mr., Gardners iriSnds on the last balo
made their election. Mr.. Stewart had no chanr
at all, after the very decided preference bis ow
County gave for Mr. Woodbridge, no one feelin
disposed to override the wshe. of Addison Cour
sy,if the candidate was to be taken from there.
We need only add that we are entirely Statistic
with the result reached by the Convention. MI
{ Woodbridge as our rea !ers know, has won, b,
bis marked ability, a high position heretofore i
, the State His town and county have houore,
} him with the best offices in their gin, and no,
7 bis District has proposed him as candidate 70
the highest political promotion which it can be
stow lie is widely known in the State, and hi
ability is everywhere acknowledged and bis &C
quaintance and influence with eminent men GU
Of the State are large. He will make most use
ful as well as able and influential member @
the next House.