Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1865-05-26
The Burlington Post Office.

the interest lelt IN tue matter mere, anu 10
some extent throughout the State, and be-
cause, as this is the only change made among
the presidential p. o. appointments in this
State, and that in the face of general ex
pectation that no such changes would occur
except for cause, the supercedure Of Mr.. G.
G. Benedict has all the effect Of remoudl
and without explanation it might subject
him to the suspicion OF ssme official delin-
quency, or OF failure tq give satisfaction TO
our citizens.
Had rotation in Office been the rule
adopted upon Mr.. Lincoln's reelection,
Mr.. Benedict would have cheerfully sub
mitted TO be rotated out and II was on
ly after 1t had become plain that four years
of faithful service was in general to be con-
sidered a reason for continuance in office IA
Their than for removal, and he had further
more become satisfied that his retention was
desired by the great mass of our citizens,
that he was announced as a candidate for re-
appointment. Even then, he made little eff
fort in the matter. The application in his
behalf was circulated for signatures only al
ter the town had already been actively can
vassed for another candidate, (Mr. Geo. II.
Rgelow,) and then was pressed on no one.
Such support as our citizens were disposed
TO accord without argument or entreaty was
gratefully received, and no other was asked
for Nevertheless, Mr.. Benedict's endorse
ment was a most hatterlng one. Doubtless
1t might have been made stronger in the
number of names, by earlier and more per-
sistent effort But as it stood it comprised.
in testimonials of entire, perhaps we might
say unprecedented, satisfaction with his dis
charge of the duties Of the Office, and direct
petitions for his re-appointment, the names
of the great majority Of our business men
and influential citizens together with an
array of letters from leading citizens. and
expressing an amount Of personal and official
approval, Of which any man might be proud.
In short, his papers were far stronger than
those on which his original appointment was
made, and strong enough u satisfy any rea-
sonable man.
1t should be understood thar the presiden-
tial appointments In tins State have hereto
tore been practically determined by the vote
OF the Vermont delegation in Congress, act
ing as a body. TIE candidate who received
the vote of a majority Of the Senators and
Representatives four years ago, received tie
recommendation Of the delegation, and that
secured the appointment, as a matter OF
course.
In due season Mr.. Benedict took lis papers
on to Washington. He was assured there by
those who were entitled to give such assurance,
that the rule Of four years ago would again
be the rule this year. He discovered also
that his only competitor up to that time
would not receive a single vote IN the delega-
ton. He received assurances satisfactory to
himself of the support Of every member OF
the delegation, except Mr.. P0rtus Baxter the
member from this district lie was further
more assured by Mr.. Baxter that he was in
no way obnoxious to him (Nlr. Baxter)-
that on the contrary he (Mr. Baxter felt
entirely friendly towards him (Nlr. Benedic)
that his papers were certainly very strong,
and tn II his case should have iair and full
consideration. Under such an aspect Of the
case, and with further and most positive a.
surances that the case was as good as settled in
his favor, Mr. Benedict left Washington and
went about his business.
In the mean time, somewhere about the
first of March, third candidate for the az
pointment appeared in the field. IN the PER
son of Mr. Saml Huntington. lie was undef-
stood TO be "Mr. Clapps man, or in other
words to have the assurance Of the support
of Mr. William Clapp, L. ;. Collector of
Customs-a Franklin County man. havin.
scarcely more than a nominal residence in F.
Burlington, but who is understood TO have I.
a controlling influence over the Congress ]
man from this district. and TO assume. By |
virtue Of such control, tue disposal |
generally Of the federal Offices IN
the district. This functionary had not
the slightest ground Of opposition to Mr.
Benedict, except that he had omitted TO con-
clliate the Collector by substantial or I'M
substantial inducements but that omission
vas fatal one. Ihe various offers made
and experiments tried with other parties, need
not be recounted here. The man for the
purpose was finally secured, and condition
al petition, requesting his appointment in case
it was decided that neither OF the existing au-
plicants should be appointed. Was hastily
circulated. 1t was carried round. maiuly.as
We are Informed, by a well known democrat
&c politician and candidate for olice ON the
ticket, and was signed by a
number OF our citizens some few signed il.
10 doubt, understanding the real OF ect Tor
which 1t was got up; some thou htlessly
ONE under positive assertions that Mr..
Benedict could not keep, nor Mr.. Bigelow
let the place; and some under the conviction
hat no change would be made, and that an !
dditional candidate or two would not affect a
he decision of the case. The paper was t
hen taken to Washington by Mr.. Clapp. t
lis appearance there, if Mr. Baxter had at /
ny time hesitated, soon settled mis- purpose I
1to fixed determination to GUST Mr.. Bene-
let if possible. OF the character of the means o
,ken to secure this end our readers nav y
idge. t
The members of the Delegation were u
iduced to separate without definite :
ction on the Burlington Post Office, leaving :
he case, by common consent, to Senator Ii
DOT and Mr.. Baxter to settle and make the b