Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1870-08-25


Brown, Emory Town.
Woodbury.-O. D. Town, F. G. Put
nam.
Worcester.-Heratio Templeton, Heman
A. Hancock.
Col. r. Proctor of Rutland appeared on
the floor, and submitted minority report
to the effect that the delegation from
Bennington, headed by T. w. Park, is the
only legally elected delegation from that
town. This report was signed by Red
field Proctor, Jonas Wilder and j. T..
Roberts.
Mr.. Proctor followed his report with a
brief statement of facts which led to its
making, in the course of which he read
an affidavit from A. ?. Lyman of Ben
nington showing that Democrats had got
into and controlled the preliminary caucus
at Free Library Hall, Bennington, on the
evening of August 10th to such an extent
that Republicans present had not an op-
portunity to express their opinion in a
choice of delegates, and that as the caucus
which nominated the delegation whom the
majority of the committee reported, was
mainly composed of the opponents of the
Republican party, it was not fair that
such a delegation should be accepted or
| accredited in Republican convention.
Mr.. Marsh of Brandon explained the
majority report as he understood it no
doubt, and spoke in defense Of it, he being
one Of the five who signed it. His argu-
ments were conclusive to himself and the
remainder of the committee who signed
it, probably, but they afforded little proof
of right to candid men, and drew forth
less applause even from his own friends.
Hon. F. E. Woodbridge moved that
such of the majority report as related to
towns other than Bennington be accept
ed. Adopted.
He followed by saying that he pre-
sumed that the next business of the con-
vention would be to take action on the
majority report relative to Bennington,
on which he would demand Il ballot,
which as a member of the convention he
deemed his parliamentary right He pro-
ceeded briefly to review the evidence
given before the committee on credentials
relative to the fret primary nesting at
Bennington, showing that it had been
proved by the best and most reliable wit
nesses who were present that the meeting
was controlled by Democrats, and the dele
gates recommended by the majority report
are the delegates of the Democratic party.
He for one wanted no such delegation.
The truth of the charges that Democrats
were a component part OF the caucus
nominating these men could be proven by
the testimony of such men as Messrs.
Putnam, Root and Southworth. If we
allow Democrats to come into our conven-
tions. there is no Republican expression
given, as ten votes would change the re-
suit in many towns of the State. 1t was
a precedent we should not establish, and
we could not do justice TO ourselves or our
principles if we allowed the delegates of
the first Bennington caucus to take seats
IN this convention.
Mr.. Heath of Plainfeld supported the
action of the majority in recommending
the Gardner or Democratic delegates, IL
Illustrating the manner in which the eau
Gus was conducted as seen from his stand
point, one hardly warranted we should say
by the testimony.
Mr.. Miner opposed the report. and Car
penter of Mortified favored it, the latter
talking, be had done all day, about his
parliamentary knowledge, and concluding
with saying that as no expression of dis
satisfaction was manifested with the seleo-
ton of chairman or secretary of the Ben
nington caucus, or until the balloting
commenced, such feeling at that time was
out Of order, and the chairman had acted
according to parliamentary" rules, in
consenting to allow Democrats to vote in
Republican caucus.
Mr.. Park of Bennington corrected the
statements of the last speaker by showing
in clear and lucid manner that he was
nai8iaf formed in every particular as to the
manner in which the Bennington caucus
was conducted, and such conclusion the
evidence given in the case by Messrs. Ly-
man, Cushman and others would verify.
A. T. Smith of New Haven, having par
TALLY recovered from the searching he re.
ceieved from Mr.. Woodbridge in the af
ternoon, ventured few remarks in favor
Of the report which he signed, but did not
become SO blatant as on former occasions
though his remarks had evidently as much
effect as ever on the convention-nont
at all.
Judge Dunton of Rutland said the pre-
cedent of admitting this delegation was
an important one, as it affected the inter
ests of other towns in the State as we'll a,
Bennington, as for instance Rutland
where were large number of Democratic
voters, who, if it could be understood
could vote in Republican caucuses in
common with Republicans, it would moi
be safe for Republican to attempt to run
for Office in the town. For such and
other good reasons advanced he entreated
/ VIC COAFSh ClOll hcb 10 6Sgd DlISn IDe pf6C6
dent of recognizing the candidates of eau
ouses composed as the Bennington one
was, of Democrats.
Mr.. Dunton then moved as an amend
ment to Mr.. Woodbridge's motion. tina,
the convention accept the minority report
of the committee on credentials.
This motion was not considered, but
| the question was ordered on the PROPOSE
ton to accept the majority report of the
committee on credentials
! On this motion, in fact the same one al
the convention had already spent some
two or three hours in discussing, Mr.
Gardner made ten minutes speech, en-
deavoring TO show that the Bennington
first caucus was a regularly constituted
body and its proceedings legal in Re
publican acoeptation, and making som,
grave charges against Mr.. Lyman, who's,
testimony he had just reason to believe
as he should was an effective argumen
against the admission of the mongrel dele