Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1874-06-24
Watnhman s. journal.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE "a, 1874.
Republican state Convention.
BURLINGTON. June

BURLINGTON, juno II, 1874.
Promptly at eleven O'Clock the delegates-to
the unusual number Of Eve hundred and sew
enty-siE-assombled in the City Hall, and were
called to order by Con. Geo W. Grandey,
chairman Of the State Committee. While the
roll Of delegates was being completed, United
States Senator Edmunds, being present BY in'
yitation Of the State Committee, occupied an
hour in clear and able discussion Of national
political issues, mainly devoted 70 the signal
services Of the Republican party in saving the
country from the consequences Of the rebellion,
and in recons,ructing the government upon the
broad basis Of uniycral freedom. All this would
be mperilled By the restoration to power Of the
Democratic party The convention then or
ganized with Hon. II Il. Powers Of Morristown.
as chairman, 1Ieman Carpenter Of Northfeld,
John Porter Of Hartford and John w Newton
Of St. Albans, as vice presidents, and George
X. Chapman Of Vergennes and g. NJ Stone Of
St Johusbury, secretaries George ii. Bige-
low Of Burlington, o. r Butterfeld Of Will
mington, Col. Redfeld Proctor Of Rutland,
Gen. W. W. Grout OF Barton and II P, Parker
Of Wolcott, were appointed the committee on
resolutions Al questions Of contested seats
were referred to the State Committee and the
convention then adjourned till two r.N
AFTERNOON.
On the re-assembling Of the convention, the
work Of nominating State ticket was entered
upon. A. c. Ballard, Of Colchester, presented
the name Of Ashael Peck, ofJericho, which nom
nation was seconded by G. B. Cook, Of Char
lotte II G. Harrison Of Brandon, nominated
his townsman, n. 7. spngue, Jr. W. W.
Henry, Of Burlington, nominated Russcl TAFT
and L0yeland Munson, Of Manchester, presented
A. l.. Miner, Of Manchester. Hugh Henry, Of
Chester, seconded Tait's nomination, and de-
nounced the candidacy Of Judge Peck as being
the combined product of dictatorial press aud
the wire pulling politicians. So highly charged
was his speech that it seemed to kick against
bis candidate Major Grout handsomely sec
onded Judge Peck by few remarks, in which
he said that the Judges course was an anomly,
and worthy Of all praise, in that he refused
to adjourn the court that his friends might at
tend the convention. X. NJ. COlburn, OF
Springfield, retor,ed tellingly upon Henry, say
ing that Springfield, the banner town in the
State in the Grant campaign, sent her six del
egates Tor Judge Peck, and in this both press
and people were in full accord-while Henry
, attack on the press reminded him uupleasanty
Iof a distinguished Congressman from Massa-
chusetts. Gen. Thomas. OF West Fairee, pro
nounced Judge Peck that noblest work OF
God an honest man, and declared that no
body would ever know his price, because NJ
man or corporation would dare to attempt tC
fni il. Thomas was followed in the same lin,
r by Col. +. b Sawyer, Of llydepark who saic
, that, at the risk Of being styled mar-plot,
he would volunteer to avow his support O
Judge Peck, whom be had known as clerk o
his court for twenty years. lie said that Peel
was pure man, and be hoped that all BIZ
4 hearers would live to be as old and do as mucl
81, good 10 the State In the course Of his speecl
; Sawyer pricked the bubble about 90 men of thi
!. generation some Of the young men, he said
seemed afraid that they would not live lonl
enough to get honors, and he feared they mus
/, get them soon If ever. Sas Mason, Reads
boro delegate, then seconded Miners nomina
ton in a queer speech, saying that his eandi
<, date belonged to no secret society and had n
!. place for secret things The convention laughe
|. and eheered Mason Justify Mason said
was not responsible for the meaning they sa'
- fit to give his words.
The field at last being cleared for action
balloting commenced. The opponents Of Judg
IL II. e. l..