Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1870-11-30

clear head and sound Judgment, combined
with practical experience in administering
the laws on the bench, made him a most
valuable and safe legislator
Mr.. Hinckley of Chelsea was prominently
mentioned for the Speakership before the
haps better for the interests of the State that
he remained on the floor of the House, al
though all concede he would have made a
model Speaker. Mr.. Hinckley's experience
as legislator, his knowledge of rules as
well as law, his quick perceptions and his
ready and effective style of speaking rendered
him most valuable and influential member.
Mr.. Grout of Barton was another member
who would have acceptably filed the Speak
er's chair, and yet one whose place on the
floor of the House would not have been east
ly filled. Gen. Grout was for some time the
acknowledged leader of the =" ruralists,' as
brother lawyer facetiously termed the far
mers, and although his star in that horizon
became slightly dimmed, it shone out again
resplendently toward the morning, and waf
the polar star that led the way to the great
benefit of all the benighted ones.
MIR. Slade of Middlebury was another Of
the " stars - of the late Legislature-albeit
sometimes shooting STAR" and it was not
always certain in which part of the heavens
his light would next shine forth. He is a
man of decided talent, and an indefatigable
worker in any cause he puts his hand to.
Then there were Bisbee of Newport, Henry
of Chester, Bromley of Pawlet, Butterield
of Wilmington, Wood of Fairhaven, Beaman
of Poultney, Ballard of Fairfax, and others
all excellent lawyers, ready debaters, and
able and influential legislators. We ought
also to mention the genial and clear-headed
Phelps of Grafton, Scott of Plymouth,
Mckee of Arlington, Buel of Middletown,
Houghton of Stamford, Perkins of Glover,
Drake of Royalton, Farnsworth of Windsor,
Cook of Mt. Holly, and others whose names
now escape our memory.
Among the strong men in committee and
in the House were Hyde of Castleton, Stafford
of Hartford, Carpenter of Burlington, Rich
mond of Woodstock, Page of Hydepark,
Field of Springfield, and lastly thought not
leastly, I. Abel Chase of Jay, who was
chairman of the committee on military af-
fairs, aud whose experience as a soldier in
the late rebellion, clear head, and careful
judgment eminently qualified him for the posi-
ton. Others there were, who bore controlling
power in legislation, whose names do not
now occur to us.
The most prominent and influential mem
Der from our own county was Hiram Garlic
ton, Esq, of Waitsfeld Mr.. Carleton :
position as chairman of the committee on
education was an important and delicate
one but he proved himself fully equal to
its duties, and justified the most sanguine ex-
pectatiOns of his friends. Messrs Whitcomb
of Barre, Ormsbee of Waterbury, Coburn
of East Montpelier, and Wooster of Marsh
field, were members last year, and their
experience, combined with excellent common
sense and cool Judgment, made them valua-
bic members Of the recent Legislature. We
might 20 on and particularize still further 4;
but time admOnishes US to spelk of the
labors of nearly all the remaining Repre-
sentatives somewhat after the ancient style
of eommendation: They hare done lohat thev
could.
The Senate was composed of good and
strong men. We doubt if it has been e1-
celled in this respect since the session Of
1861 and 1862. Many of the Senators had
just served in the lower House, and have left
IN both Houses d record for scarcely a parti-
Gle Of which they viii ever have occasion to
blush or regret. We felt this year thankful
for a Senate. May it always be composed Of
equally worthy men, and equally safe and
sound Legislators