St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1878-08-02
Third District Convention.

We published last week the result of
the convention at Hyde Park, together
with a record of the eight ballots taken.
The convention was of so much general
interest, that we give it below some
what in detail:
At IL o'clock, after calling the roll,
the convention elected Mr.. G. S. Palmer,
of Jericho, chairman, and Mr.. Merrill of
Enosburg, secretary. A delegate from
Jericho Immediately presented the fol-
lowing resolution
ResOlUed, that this convention proceed
to ballot for candidate for member of
Congress, Immediately on milling
after dinner.
Mr.. Huntington of Burlington moved
to amend the resolution so that the vote
might be taken by towns; the chair
man of each delegation declaring UiUa
UOce its vote, as the secretary read the
names of the towns successfully. He
advocated the amendment as being a
means of insuring fair play. We want
to return to our constituency with a
clear record and no suspicion of under
handed means being employed. 1t may
be claimed that this procedure has no
precedent. Neither did the similar
method of electing Senators by the leg
islature have precedent until it was
introduced into all the states by act of
Congress. A gentleman from Franklin
county thought that all the delegates
could read their ballots and knew
enough to deposit them if not they
could get their neighbOrs to do it for
them. Another from Orleans county
thought the amendment was fair and
would commend itself to fair minded
men. He knew a Circuit delegate who
had money in his pocket as bribe from
Barlow. Kisses. Mr.. Gleed of Nor
risville did not consider the amendment
consistent with liberty of action. Our
constitution provides that a man may
vote folded ballot if he wishes and no
one may see what he votes. We can
trust the delegates of Lamoille county,
and don't like these sweeping accusa-
tions of fraud. M. r. Tyler of Burling-
ton said that the amendment did not
charge fraud. In voting sealed ballots
at town meeting it is personal mat
ter; the election is popular. Here we
represent others and should be willing
to have our record clean and open.
HUH anu ISStA Sdlu
they were unpledged and were not
going to vote by proxy. If the motion
was carried, should vote for neither of
the principal aspirants. A delegate
from st. Adams thought that the result
of the amendment would be to terrorize.
He cited the voting of the Romans on
waxen tablets. Would not these be
difficult to fold, if not to seal. He
would not be bound by the amendment.
A Burlington man said that many mis-
took the nature of the amendment. 1t
does not compel any to vote certain
way. Each delegate is free to vote as
he pleases this motion only demands
record of each town. A precedent is
found it in every national convention.
A st. Adams delegate could see no rea-
son for the amendment but an implica-
ton of fraud, which was an insult to
the convention. Applause.
After some further spirited discussion
OF the question, vote was taken by
yeas and nays, and the amendment was
lost-S9 to ll6. The original resolution
by the gentleman from Jericho was
then passed, after being amended to
the effect that the election by ballot
should proceed Immediately. Col. AL
bert Clarke of st. Adams then present.
ed the name of Bradley Barlow as can
didate for the republican nomination
for member of Congress from the third
district; a name well known as that of
man of energy, thrift and enterprise,
as true to the interests of the public as
the needle to the pole. He elOquently
stated the merits of his candidate, and
gave short statement of his positions
of trust, and the various enterprises of
his life
DIR. Skinner of Barton then presented
the name of Gen. VIM. w. Grout. He
gave history of his life from the time
when he hung out his lawyers single
in Barton, twenty years ago. He re-
signed the nomination of States Attor-
ney in 81, and enlisted as private
soldier. Has represented Barton in the
legislature three years, and in 1876 was
chosen Senator. In all these positions
he has served his town, county and
state faithfully.
A gentleman from Richford, in sec
onding the nomination of Mr. Barlow,
said that we need strong men to repre-
sent us, and he bristles with energy.
perseverance and genuine Yankee pluck.
1t may be claimed that he is already
fattened at the public crib, but if we
grant that, is it not easier to support
dog just fed and full, than lank, hun
CRY dog fresh from the chase7
Mr.. CIRCUITS nomination was seconded
by gentleman from Burlington, who
spoke of the General as a lawye1,-en-
ergetic, earnest, thorough, true to bis
clients interests. AS a legislator
born republican, and is a republican
at heart, at bottom, everywhere and in
all places. AS a man,-true, noble.
honest, whOle-hearted, able. Another
advantage lay in the fact of his COM
parative youth and consequent ambition
to make good record in Congress.
Mr.. Gleed knew Mr.. Barlow in legis-
lature as a diligent worker. He is
friend OF union soldiers and poor men,
but hated by the democrats.
A Circuit delegate said that they did
not call their candidate dog either full
or empty. He is every inch a man,
and as such will do credit to the dis
trict if elected.
After the nominations had been sec
onded ~ a sufficient number of times,
the chair appointed as tellers Messrs.
Clarke of st. Adams, Tyler of Burling-
ton, and Page of Cambridge.
The voting then commenced and was
continued for several hours. 1t was
conducted by each town delegation de-
posting its ballot as the name of the
town was read by the secretary. The
hall was constantly in a state of con-
fusion, no attempt being made to pre-
serve order, except at the announce
ment of the ballots After each declar-
alton of no result the air was rent with