Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1870-06-24

TIE CONGRESSIONAL NvINATIoNS.
Considerable uncasiness prevails in two
Of the three Congressional districts Of our
Stat, over the approaching nominations Of
CJn.ressmen.
In the first district We are sorry to see III
dicltion- of quite an unsettled state Of opin-
ion,Y prevailing, however, we Judge, rather
among the politicians than among the people.
Mr.. Willard, who represents the district, Is
By Established usage, entitled to re-nomi
ton lie has. however, some active oppo-
nen.s, who are making the most Of some dis
satisfaction over certain of the federal aI-
p5intments made on Mr.. Wizards recon-
mendatiJn. and who threaten strongly to
carry their opposition into the nominating
convention Removed, as We are, from all
personal connection with the controversy,
and regarding only the public welfare and
the reputation Of the State, We venture To
express a very earnest hope that such de
termination, il made, Will te rcc1rsidered.
There are several good reasons why no such
attempt should be made. In the first place
it il not likely To succeed. The custom
which gives q second term to a representa-
tive VIII, has served one with reasonable
efficiency and credit, has the force Of law.
There has been hardly a case in this genera
ton. in which il has been broken through.
MIR. Wiari's ability, purity Of personal
character. and the hiEa credit with which he
performs bis public duties, are not ques-
TONED. lie represents his district and state
with marked ability and distinction for a
new member, and will be able % DO better
service and higher credit to Vermont in years
t. come with added experience and familiar
ity with the duties and responsibilities Of
his Office. But he has been unfortunate,
We are told, in certain of bis recommen- .
dat1ns to Office. OF course some men
manage those matters with more tact than .
others but the angel Gabriel could not .
alIot the patronage of Congressional dis
trict without o-casioning more OF less hard .
feelings on tn. art Of unsuccessful appi-
cant- and their friends VIII it DO to make
a rule that such dissatisfaction shall be suf-
fcient ground fora change? If made, will it
not return to plague Its inventors?
Again, an effort to throw over Con-
gresham after bat a single term. is an en-
tirely different affair from a contest over
an ordinary succession. The attempt is, I'M
Ter the circumstances, a proposition to offer
A grave personal iniignity TO the member.
1t cannot Of course be pushed without resist
anee and without arousing cmbittered per-
.1nal feehng- The First District has citi-
lons whose ability and standing entitle
them to distinction, in whom the aspira-
lion % "a scat in Congress Is not an I'M {
worthy or an unreasonable ambition. 1t is
lie part Of true friendship to ask them to
consider the matter carefully, before they
allow their names to be used in an effort
which must throw the district into a turmoil :
nd create quarrels which viii not die out
n a generation. We can assure them that
onsiderate men throughout the State realize
rougly the loss of influence in Congress,
which inevitably accompanies frequent
hanges Of representative that independ =,
Mt Of that important consideration, they +
an look with no favor on such personal
nd bitter contests in any district in the b
tate and that any distinction gained in il
lch a contest Will have sad drawbacks in
3 consequences. We earnestly hope that
'iso and pacific counsels will prevail in the t
irst District. r
The Second District Is reasonably quiet, il
nd Judge Poland's denomination is accept q
/ as a f5rcg0ne conclusion.
The Third District ,rqs. until lately. rest ',
" in harmony and content in tine expecta- u
on that Hon. Worthinston c. Smith. WHO u
as 50 acceptably represented the d- trict Il
II two terms past. would he returned to the Al
ex. G. ngress II has become underst God ~
late. however, that Mr. Smith did not
sire reelection, and that the death Of ~
on. Lawrence Brainerd made it probable II
lat he would be called to post Of trust in SC
injection with the Vermont Central, which II
ould occupy all his time and attention =,
this state OF things the names of several Il.
,ntlemen have been brought forward in !,
ferent parts Of the district. and considera- 81
G &" figuring has been done TOR them,
,ainst the possible event that the nomina- -
IN should be thrown open by positive de- =
mature ola reelection by Mr. Smith. We -
c sorry to say tina, it has become quite ap- no
rent in 50 much Of canvass as has been We
aie. that no new man can be nominated, vi
elected when nominated, without fight in
ID one which will stir up afresh and with ;,
en- increased bitterness, the heated feel -,
q which have smoulderei since the last 81
,ngresslonal contest, and which we had H.
ped were laid to rest. These have indeed tn
ready become considerably aroused BY the er
re possibility of renewed contest. From :,
C danger of such a contest we look with :,
nidence TO Mr. Smith TO relieve us. We IN
We no doubt that his personal wishes and gu
private interests, both urge him to re- gu
e but he can hardly disregard the pub We
considerations which demand his return Il,
Congress If he will consent, as we
ongly trust he will, to represent the dis WI
ct once more he will be re-nominated BY Al
animous and hearty consent. He is too an
bic spirited a gentleman to disregard the oes
shes of the people who have thus far tbs
nored him with their confidence and es- me
IN, and who, 50 far as we can learn, with IN
most entire unanimity, desire him to rep jar
ent them once more or to throw the 'o'
trict intoa fresh turmoil, the more to be ets
Drecated both here and in the first ", w
trict, because before another cleo e.,
n a new districting of the State will H.
likely to forever bury the old animosities, NJ,
less tley are now unfortunately aroused dill
III fresh bitterness which nothing but sh
lie can quiet. | pu