Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1866-09-07

Nh Royce SAL he nal rather address tue Re-
uublieans Of Burlington on dag other question.
than tha; on which he was expected to speak
Nothing but sense Of irty would have brought
him TO q public discussion Of the question which
now uuhappily divides and .lissraces the Elrut-
lcan party in this lislic, For this division
and disgrace. Portus Baxter was solely respou-
sible. Mr. Eoyce proceeded 70 show how
clear had been the two term rule anil practice
in the district Alyah Sabiu served two terms.
most worthily, and then retired Nr Royce
served two terms, and If not to the aatisacticn
Of his constituents, not one Of them had ever
hintel j; TO him. lie, too, then retired, and
Mr. Baxter succeeded him. Instead Of with
drawing however, when his two terms were
ended, he pressed bis claims for a third election
on the ground Of his services % the
soldiers, and Il was conceded to him,
he giving assurances that he would
then retire Instead Of which he presents him
self Tor fourth term, and what certainty Is
there that if tbs were conceded to him. he
would not again come forward for a fifth term,
and SO on. ask, said Mr. Royce, for no more
pledges from him; but when, | ask, are bis
claims 10 cesse. Vermont, however, gives 10
man life lease OF office unless the State and
country are 10 derives corresponding benefit
In eases Of pre- eminent service. Ike those Of
Collamer and Foot and Prentice, and other well
known public servants, It has been a favor to
the people to continue them in Office; but Mr..
Baxter's is no such case. lie has rendered SER
vice to the soldiers, and his wife has done more
than he, but a hundred men could be selected
from the audience who would have done as
much. one exception must be noted. One
and that the MOBILES; soldier Of Vt. Hong and
hearty applause, could not have his aid. Gen.
Staunard has published a statement as to that
which It was Mr.. Baxter's right to deny as
publicly, il he could; but he has not done 50;
AMI We sre compelled to the belief Of its truth
To our hero. Of the empty sleeve, when he
asked his assistance, Mr.. Baxter said =. No
On purely political questions Mr. Baxter has
voted right, and 50 would hundred Others,
here present, If in his place. But what m1rss
Of eminent service can he show Has he ever
originated public measure Has he ever
introduced bill Has he ever even sug-
gested an amendment to any act: Has
he ever even made a report from the committee
that Of ecctions-on which he served Has
he ever openei his mouth in debate If So,
said Mr.. Royce, have never heard Of it. Once,
it is understood, he rose upon the floor and
made some explanation in reference to his vote
upon the Reciprocity treaty; but who ever saw
a report Of his speech
Proceeding to alludc to the charges against
Mr.. Baxter, Mr.. Royce related the well known
facts as to the publication and presentation Of
the charges. Knowing nothing personally Of
their truth or lalsity, he declared that it was
Mr Bsxter's duty to himself and to his constit-
uents. to Tefute them. They had been made in
respectable quarters, and thank God, the dis
tance between the member Of Congress and the
humblest citizen was not so great that he hal
not the right to 90 to Mr.. Baxter and demand
an explanation. Mr. Baxter had no right to
fall back on the absence Of legal evidence In
my Judgment, said Mr.. Royce, there has been no
satisfactory explanation on Mr.. Bsxter's part,
and till there is one, Mr.. Baxter can hold no Of
fee in Vermont. This notion Of selling Offices
is new one for this State. We have heard Of
it elsewhere, but We do not propose to permit
! it here. The character Of Vermont for official