Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1866-08-10
An Unworthy Representative.

An Unworthy Representative.
Itisa sufficient reason why Mr.. P0rtus
Baxter should not again be sent to Congress.
that he il tie head centre Of a corrupt ring.
organized to control the entire official pa
tronage Of tie district. ard which j. making
the Third district a hywoTd for corruption
not only througl ont this State but in otter
States. But it is not tie only reason He
is in almost all respects a wholly unfit and
unworthy representative.
Mr.. Baxter was cent 70 Congress original
" with great unauimity. lie was not much
known throughout the district. but was be
lieved to be q frank, liberal, energetic
gentleman. OF sufficient ability to maintain
himself creditablY On the floor Of tie House,
and who could be relied On 10 look after
pubic interests, with fidelity and industry
The six years be has spent in Washington
have thoroughly disrclled the illusion.
Mr. Baxter has proved himself to be d
legislator of 10 account whatever. With
what public measure Is his name connected
What act, big or little, has passed OF !ailec,
that would not have done 90 without; him
He has teen wholly without influence on the
floor and If We are correctly informed of little
or no service II committee room. His business
has been offoes-the control and allotment
of the official patronage OF the district. To
this elevated pursuit lie has devoted himself.
He has become known as a VIGOROUSLY per
sistent bore at the Departments, whenever
Offices are to be disposed of ; bat for assis-
tance to any high public end or right meas
ure, be Is unknown and unexpected at
Washington. In the particular line 70
which be has confined his energies, he has 20
managed as to secure the support Of tie
wire Pullers, the pot-house politicians, and
the venal hangers-on Of the party, to the los
of the respect Of every hIghminded man who
knows him. 1t Il well known that be for
feited, by treachery and double-dealIng, the
confidence Of most OF the Vermont delega-
ton in Congress, both past and present. both
of the House and Senate, who had the best
means Of knowing him thoroughly, in all
capacities. We may add that be has, much
to the surprise Of many, proved to be a
comparatively illiterate man.We have before
US letter Of his, containing bad spelling
which would disgrace a well-taught school
boy of fifteen.
We have 10 taste for personal controversy
and would be gladly spared the task of say
ing these things of any Vermonter, much
less of one who represents Vermont in our
National Councils But our duty 10 the
people OF this district Will not allow US TO
permit them to remain in ignorance Of The
true character and qualifications of the man
who now proposes by the free use Of he
money, official power, and every art, TO
keep the place be disgraces, whether the
people will or no.
We would do him no injustice. Let him
have full credit for ell be has done He rem
derod some service 10 some soldiers, IN the
war,-seryice greatly over-Tated and over
praised no greater than was rendered by
the other representatives Of Vermont
such rs any other Nermonter with the
instincts of a man. would have render
ed in his place. Let him have full credit for
it, and without too close inquiry how much
of it was from wholly selfish motives. Has
be not been well rewarded therefor? lie
went into Congress, as We have always IN
derstocd, comparatively poor. lie viii &c
tire, when elected to stay at home, next
month, comparatively rich. Let him enjoy
bis gains as he Tleases, but let the people
OF the third district see to It that the tide Of
decentralization in our politics, FOR which
Mr.. Baxter is SO greatly responsible, Is stay
ed here and nor. ) good beginning has
been made 5y the change in the Custom
House A change in the Congressman viii
complete the work Of reform. Let every
honest man ask himself what Is bis Glfy. IN
the premises, and 60 bis duty at HydeTark
next Wednesday.