Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1871-02-03

The convention deeply regretted the necessity
for sucn action as seemed inevitable, and were
disposed to hold up the question in every light
Of which it was capable before assuming the
grave responsibility Of the action proposed, but
they saw no other way.
The question was taken upon the resolutions,
and they were unanimously adopted by rising
vote
Albert Clarke, L. II. Hapyood and A. W.
Woodwork we're then appointed a committee TO
prepsre and send to the different towns in Frank
lin, Chittenden and Grand Isle counties a petit
ton in fdrtherance of the plan proposed. and the
meeting adjourned without day.
The ST. Aibans.Hesssnger says of the cOuven-
ton
The convention at Sheldon Wednesday en-
braced men who had given the subject mature
consideration. Gladly would they have united
upon some expedient for preserving the rights
of the people without any expense to the State,
but they found imminent danger Of litigation,
embarrassment and perplexity in all the plans
proposed, and in some of them nothing but vio-
lstion Of official duty, breach Of law, and de-
fance Of the authorities Of the State
Being faithful subjects Of the State, and law
abiding and public spirited citizens, they were
unwilling to adopt or recommend 10 others to
adopt any such course. They took the view that
the Grand List as completed by the House com
mittee is the only basis for assessment which the
State authorities can recognize.
They felt that the unjust burden, if borne at
all, must be upheld by that class which is alrea-
dy most heavily taxed, the farmers and other
owners Of real estate, and that the aggregate
amount which in five years (before the next ap-
praissl) or in two years, (before the biennial
session. would thus be wrung from their hard
earnings. would be so large that the expense Of a
special session of the Legislature would cOmpar-
atively dwnd'e into insignifcahce. In their
opinion, too, it would affect all our taxes, max
ing an unjust discrimination between capitalists
and men Of moderate means. to the detriment of
the latter, which would be felt in all our local
affsirs, and which would beget such degree of
dissatisfaction. if not individual and combined
resistance, to make it the part Of sound public
policy not to undertake 10 ego ahead - until
we are sure that things have been made
fright"
They reasoned, too, that since there is No
ether peaceful snd constitutional way of obtain
ing redress but at the hands Of the Legislature,
and that since it is all important that whatever
is to be done en- the subject should be done at
once. it becomes the duty Of all good citizens TO
petition the Governor to call specisl session
70 be sure, this will be sessiCnOf the same Leg
stature which permitted the wrong to be done,
but it was believed that much light has ben
shed upon the subject since then and that the
House. which was necessarily so hasty in its &C
ton approving of the majority report Of the COM
mittee on the last night Of the session, will nov
be Influenced By newly discovered facts and
the unAnswerable arguments on this side Of the
case; and that no honest member will hesitate to
chsnge his vote, or at least to take such other
action as shall afford relief and render the col
lection Of the taxes matter Of legal certainty
In view Of al these considerations We think
the action Of the Convention was eminently wise
and patriotic, and we trust that the people at
large will take the came view and be united and
earnest in maintaining their rights and serving
the best interests Of the entire State il the man
ner proposed.