Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1866-08-22
The sliTd District Convention.

| The RePu biican Convention at Hyde Park,
/ last " ednesday. for the nomination of can
didate, tor Congress in that District, was q
large gathering, more than three thousand
persons probably being present. Ii was also
an exceedingly stOrn csnvention. The con-
ventiou was organized by the choice Of Hon.
George Wilkins, OF Stowe, as President, ana
Hon. Howard Stevens, of Franklin County,
Gen. q. J. Stannard, Of Chiticnden County,
Hon, VIM Hastings. Of Orleans County. G.
| w. Hendee, Esq, OF L4moile CO., and w N.
Hartshorn Of Essex Co., Vice Presidents, AL
uond Barnes Of the st. Adams Messenger
was chosen Secretary.
IDasmuch a., according to the usuai meth
OF Of procedure at such conventions no nom
ination was made a. The convention, and the
contest will be continued, to be decided at
the polls, we give below tbs history of the
convention, subsequent to its organization,
as we find it in the Burlington Free Press
Mr.. G. G. Benedict of Burlington, stepped
| to the front OF the stand and asked leave TO
make remark and to submit a proposition.
| Mr.. BENEDICT REMARKS.
Mr. Benedict said that every man before
him was doubtless aware that certain grave
charges had been preferred against one of the
candidates for the nomination OF this C0nven-
| ton. The charges were that Mr.. Baxter 81
used the official patronage under his control
for his personal and pecunIary advantage
and that Contributions had been levied on the
salaries of subordinate officials, in his name
and for his benefit. As the editor of the pa
per in which the statement Of these charges
was fret given to the public, the speaker de-
sired 10 say that If they were not true, b.
wished to retract them, and 70 publicly apol-
oglze to Mr.. B,xter cheers and cries of
% good :" from the Baxter men. But he
(Mr. Benedict) believed them to be true, and
capable OF satisfactory proof. Cheers from
the Hoyt men 1t must be remem bcred
however, that the transactions involving such
corruption were commonly confidential be-
tween the parties to them ; ami he was here
to say, that if Mr. Baxter (who was now al
most within hearing of the speaker voice. }
or any one IN his behalf, would deny those
charges, challeuge the proof of them, and
withdraw the confidential obligation resting
on seine of Mr.. Baxter's former friends, the
effort would be made TO prove them IN open
convention, here and noro. Cheers and loud
and long calls for * Baxter, Baxter."] Mr.
Bauer did not appear, but Mr.. VIM. Har-
mon came forward.
MR.. uARN0as REMARKS.
Mr. Harmon said that such charges were
not to be believed of man with the high
character of Hon. Portus Baxter. DersiY
cries of " Oh, Oh, - from one side and cheers
from the oiher.] The gentleman who had
just spoken had lost $4,000 Office while
since. 1t was easy for newspaper men &c
brlDg such charges, and they were often
brought against public men. 1t was the du.
ty of those who made such charges to prove
them. Mr.. Baxter was the choice OF the
people, &c. &c, Renewed calls for Baxter ,
but no Baxter
Mr. Benedict asked Mr. Harmon if he wa.
authorized To deny the charges or 20 challenge
proof OF them. TO which MIR. Harmon replied
that he didn't know what the charges were
Mr.. Bradley Barlow, of ST. Adams, mex
addressed the convention substantially in thu
same vein Mr.. Harmon, saying that be be
lieved The charges to be ISLANDERS /; that they
were vague and general, and that it was fol
!, | those who made them to make then specific
and prove them.
Hon. Daniel r ,bcrts of Burlington, sait
that the charges were specific. to the efec
that Mr.. Baxter had disposed Of public Office
under his control for his private pecuniar,
, gain ard that it was absurd to call for proc
vi these charges, or further specifications, e.
, long as Mr.. Baxter did not appear to den,
them and challenge the proof that the evi
dence was understood to DE in the possession
of gentlemen who under confidential OBJ
, legations to MIR. Baxter not to volunteer DIS
CT, sure, but II he would release them from
, such obligations, they were prepared to max
their proofs before the conve ntlon and call
ed upon MIR. Baxter to make the denial ant
allow the proct to be made-.hat it was du
to the Convention and to himself that Mr.
Baxter should speak out before the COnven
ton.
d. X. Bailey. Esq, Of 81. Adams. son-in
la@ OF Wm. Clarp, late Collector, called gu
that Mir. Roberts was Special Agent OF tb
Treasury. Mr. Roberts replied. that he ha'
teen a special agent OF the Treasury Depart
mens, but was not now. nor was he a eon-in
law of Mr.. Ciapp-tbas in relation to tn
L.. I'D ,l,s1