Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1880-09-24

As the session of the Legislature ap-
proaches questions concerning the various
legislative offices begin TO be in order.
Among the most important of these are the
Secretaryships of the Senate, and the Clerk
ship of the House. With large proper
ton of inexperienced legislators, the need of
capable and experienced clerks becomes all
the greater. And there is more than the
ordinary demand for accurate and eX-
perienccd secretaries and clerks this year,
from the fact that the revision of the stat
utes, with the numerous amendments there
to that are sure to be proposed, will involve
an unusual amount of clerical labor in addi-
ton to the ordinary routine. Each branch
of the Legislature, fortunately, will be able TO
secure experience and capacity in these
Offices The Secretary of the last Senate,
Mr. Baldwin, it is true, will not be candi-
date for the Office this year. But the Assist
ant Secretary for the last three sessions,
Chauncey W. Brownell, Jr., Esq, will be pro-
posed for, and doubtless will be promoted
W. ibN t'NNltA.ii oLii'. DloNucll, us
many of our readers know, is rising men,
Der of the Chittenden county Bar. lie has
shown, as assistant secretary, the qualities of
industry, fidelity and accuracy, so neces-
sary in the place. He is thoroughly familiar
with the duties of secretary, and will have
the most cordial support of the members Of
the Senate who have had most occasion
to know his clerical capacity. So far
as we are aware there will be no opposition
to him'for the Secretaryship, and his cleo
ton We presume TO be 4 foregone conclusion.
For assistant Secretary several good names
are mentioned, the most prominent of which
is Col. F. q. Butterfield, late Sup
ervisor of the census. and he will
doubtless have strong support for the place.
The house will be able to avail itself of the
services of the experienced Clerk and Assist
ant Clerks Of the last Session. Mr. Henry
\. Newell, the Clerk of the last House, is
candidate for reelection, and already, as we
hear, has assurances OF the support Of
many members. 1t has been announced in
some of the State papers that Mr.. ID. NJ.
Camp, the former clerk, and Mr.. W. w.
Stickney, the assistant clerk of the last
House, will also be candidates but we
think there is some mistake about this state
mcnt. Mr.. Stickney, as we understand, has
authorized the assertion that he will not be
candidate. We understand that he cx-
poets Nr. Newelrs reelection and desires
to retain (as he doubtless can in that event
his former position Of assistant clerk. Mr..
Camp also as We are reliably informed, has
stated recently that he would not be "A candi-
date Tor the clerkship and as he is gen
tleman who means what he says in such
matters we take it for granted that his name
will not be presented for the place. This
would leave the field to Mr. Newell, without
formidable competition. Mr.. Newell has
had long experience in the duties He was
assistant clerk of the House in 1868, was re-
appointed in 1869, and again in 1870: and
owing to the illness of the clerk was made
acting clerk throughout the session of go.
In 1874 J he represented his town in the
House. He was the clerk of the session Of
IS, and received the thanks Of the House,
rendered by formal resolution. for the excel
lent manner in which he performed the
duties of the office. The printed Journal
OF that House, as prepared by him for pub
LEGATION, has been praised for its iulncss and
accuracy. Mr. Newell can claim demon
straied capacity for the place, and as, if re-
eiecte d, he will rc-appoint his former assist
ants, the House can make sure of capable
an d faithful service in the clerical depart
Event of that body.