Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1866-08-24
4 Desperate Game.

AIr. Baxtcr's attempt 10 carry the Hyde
park Convention was a desperate effort He
threatened in the streets Of Burlington that
be would g TO Congress again, &c fit cost
him every cent he was worth. by G.. and
be spared neither money nor labor on the
Convention, for he knew that It was one
thing 10 buy a majority IN the Conreanon,
and quite another thing TO buy a majority
in the District. We are informed by parties
well situated TO Judge, that be spent not less
than three thousand dollars IN Orleans Co.
His delegation from this County probably
cost him an equal sum. How much more
he spent on the other four counties, We have
no idea but can readily believe that Ten
thousand dollars viii not cover his total outlay
10 secure the nomination, which ne did no,
get The greater portion Of this was spentin
more open and shameless briberyoi men to q
ana vote and shout for Baxter, than we have
ever known in Vermont. Hundreds Of men
were offered, and paid. three and four dol
lars q Cay, apiece. and their expenses. with
liquor and cigars thrown ID. Many Of these.
when the liquor was ID. let out tire shame
iul bargain. Nor die it make any difference
what they were personally OF politically.
Aliens. democrats. non voters. am thing.
was fish for the Baxter net. The Railroad
shops were almost silent in 81. Adams. on
Wednesday. on account of the numbers Of
the workucn. IN great proportion democrats
and aliens, who, marzhallcd by Major Ten
LEY, a notorious democrat. were rushed ~
n.aSsr TO Hydepark and into the Convention.
Eight OF nine democrats. were thrown ont
iy the teliors. 10 the Chittanden County
Convention. ae-g one oi them a Baxter
man Even department clerks who owed .
their places 30 Nlr. Baxter. were brought /
up from Washington to blow and vote for .
lin. TO sub. ;antiatc this statement we offer
the following afliavi,s by couple of soldier
iays. who ike ,hc mass of thc soldiers in
the district. I,ii,,e in square dealing, and
link ,tat Portus Baxter has had Office
enough for the good ol the district.
1. Roswell Wait. Of Westiord. in the County
DC Cnittenlen aud State Of Vermont, being duly
sworn. depose, testify and say that on Tuesday.
August l4th. 1860. vas az Cambriigeboro'.
1n my way 90 attend the Republican District
-onveutiou 81 Hydepaik While going there
my companion A. J. Chase, also OF Westford.
ouud suspended across the street a United
states flag upon which was affixed the following
abel
" For Member Of Congress, Portus Baxter
Mr.. Chase and both preferred not to pass
lnler said fils SO labelled, and we drove around
& Upon arriving st the hotel. kept by H. S
Brewster, saw two Of Portus Bakers clerks.
Fho reside IN Washington. had seen them in
y ashngto- while was in the United States
service am slace, and with one Of them WAS
PARTIALLY acquainted. He asked Mr.. Chase with I
ONE arrogance why ne did not drive under the
a. NJ. Chase sad he did not sail in that
omplry ] asked him What great things Mr..
jsxter had done for the soldiers and enquired
Thy be did not stand out Of the way OF other
audi1ates as be had agreed The other clerk
and they were Mr- Bakers clerks from Wash
1Eton. Ny reply was that had seen them in
ashington and knew that they were some OF
'axier's bootblacks at Washington. He then
al, will tell you what Baxter has done for
ny companion here and for ne s We laid {
9 the AleSaudrIa barracks and we could not 4
81 away 10 the front, and Mr. Baxter came 10
.iexsndria with some Of his friends and got us :
way and We went 10 the front - Then said l. c
! on are then soldiers. are you - - Yes
nd they. They SAID they we're able bodied
len who laid there and could not get away to
BE- front. / said ! know beiter-ihat neither !
aIter nor any one else was obliged to 20 to the c
lexsndria barracks to get able boqied men TO
o to the front. was told by them I knew
0thing about il, my reply was that if they I
ere there a. they said, they must belong to the r
Dyssntery Corps" One Of them then said d.
that chap ought to have his face slapped
r. D. ". Turner Of Cambridge, was there and B
this talk and told me not to run or +,
lck down. / told him did not intend TO run :.
back down.
these clerks were IN attendance at the Hyde D
ARK Convention and won't up TO vSte for Mr. Ii
a1ter as they said. aud one Of them told me -
iat be intended 10 retIrn 10 Washington on
onday following the interview / have related II
Ihis i substantially full and correct state Il
ent OF this Interview, and give this affidavit, =,
pom request, that al may see in what manner
e contest in the Third Congressional District st
Vermont is carried on by Mr.. Bakers friends. d
d who ard what persons participated in the h,
iiterGiioHs Of the Hydepark CoRreafioR
ID further say not. al
ROSWELL WAIT. h