Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1866-07-27
The District Convention.

The Republican Congressional Committee
for tie 80 District have called & mass CON
veDticn to be holden at Hyde Park on the
18th OF August, for the purpose Of nominal
ing a representative from this District to the
next Congress. The place Is not so con-
veni,ui OF access as desirable. We uust
nevertheless, and especially as this is called
as mass convention. "a mode which, as Ii
known, We heartily disapproyO that there
may be large attendance, not Of partisans,
but of the people Of the District and that
there may be full freedom Of discussion and
the largest liberty Of choice in the selection
ola candidate What names viii be pre-
scented for the consideration Of the convention
we cannot say to-day. 1t is, however, IN
ders,cod that the present incumbent, Mr.
Portus Baxter, viii again be urged for a
denomination. This Is quite contrary to the
statement which was current a while since,
and was understood to be authorized by Mr..
Baxter, that be did not desire to be again a
candidate but it Is obviously the case.
We had hoped that Mr.. Baxter would
have been content with the three elections
which have been accorded hun by the people
of this district Tie people have dealt re-y
literally by him, and it is time that he
should yield the course to some one else.
Surely the Third district Is not so barren Of
men Of ability and integrity, or Mr.. Baxter
SO conspicuous tor those qualities, that his
claims 10 a fourth nomination should enforce
attention.
We believe, Furthermore, that those famil-
lar with the position in which Mr.. Baxter
stands, have considered it measure Of plain
prudence OF his rart. quietly to withdraw,
and furnish 10 occasion for the revelations
concerning himself, which the attempt again
to force him upon the republicans of this
district must inevitably compel.
Owing nothing TO Mr.. Baxter, we still
certainly would DO Lin no injustice, and
regard !or the good name of the State and
party of which he is representative, and
which must suffer to some extent by his dis
grace, would now keep Us silent II truth and
justice and a regard for the true interests of
the people of the district, would permit
But it would be an inexcusable wrong to the
people to allow them to remain in Ignorance
Of the true character and practices Of the
man who seeks to represent them in the
Congi,ss Of the United States We deem
it our duty, then, for to-day, to say so
much us this: that il is freely asserted
10y truthful and responsible gentlemen. in
positions to become acquainted with the
facts, that Offices IN this district for the last
few year,, have been disposed Of i0r the
personal and pecuniary gain Of those who
have had the chief control Of government ap-
pointments in the district, and that contri-
buttons upon salaries Of subordinate officials
have been levied in the name OF Mr. Baxter,
and paid for his use and benefit. We
arc dSeAItN Aual Ca>ts oI LuC KIM are
susceptible of ready proof, and we have seen
enough evidence TO lead Us to give full ere
dencc to the statement.
OF course 10 man capable Of such practices
can be proper representative Of the purity
which characterizes the people OF this State
and which ought to characterize its politics.
Experience is worth much in lcgisl4-
ton; but when a mans experience i
employed in the building up Of a dynasty Of
ofice-holders, and the adroit manipulation
of politics to the keeping of himself in place.
we had better take refuge in inexperience.
if we can thereby escare Yenality and cor
ruption.
We have no hesitation in saving.
that believing Mr.. Baxter to be a
thoroughly unsuitable representative Of the
republicans of this district, We earnot in any 1
contingency at the present conceivable by US |
give HIM our support.
Who ought to succeed him, is another
question.