The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1880-06-25
Who for Congressman?

June 80, the district convention meets
OF Rutland for the purpose of nominal
ing q member of Congress. Various
candidates may be presented, but l ap-
prehend that Col. Joyce, tho present
incumbent, and ex-Gov. Stewart will
be the most prominent candidates. In
some respects there is marked SINH
larity between them. They are both
men of ability and large experience
in public business-both men of whom
Vermont has just reason to be proud.
Both well posted in the executive, leg
islative and judiciary branches of our
government. Col. Joyce's friends
claim that he has been faithful, and
l,oked well after the interests of his con-
slituents. They also claim that he has
had six years. experience, therefore, no
new member can fill his place. The
former is true but l apprchend that q
majority of the freemen will disagree
with them in relation to the latter
statement.
In Republican form of government
where the elective franchise is invested
In the hands of the people, where the
high, tho low, the rich and poor are
all equally and alike eligible TO any
office in the gift OF the people. Other
things being equal, there should be
something like all equal distribution of
the posts of honor and profit. Ii there
is any honor in being a member of
Congress, Col. Joyce has had his share.
If there is any profit in it he has also,
had his share. If | am not mistaken
two years ago 1t was the express nm
Outstanding and agreement by and be-
tween Col. JOyce's friends friends and
Gov. Stewards friends that if they
would give Joyce his third election, il
was all that he and his friends should
ever ask or expect. During two years
past what has Gov. Stewart done TO
lower himself? Nothing. What has
Col. Joyce done to raise himself?
Nothing. Then, what good reason can
the Colonels friend assign for annul.
ing that agreement, for deserving Gov.
Stewart and sticking to Joyce3 Col.
Joyce has had three elections, served
six years. Hence, his friends claim
his fourth election in consequence of
his experience. If elected to the fourth
term, according to their doctrine, In
1882 he will have stronger claim for a
fifth election than he has for the fourth
now, from the fact that he will have
had eight years experience instead OF
six, etc. When would be the Slipping
place? The Convention at Chicago re-
Gently, gave aristocracy q check, but
Vermont lie at least one-fourth of a CEN
fury ahead of that body. Some twen-
ty-five years ago the Green Mountain
boys looked down upon and froWned
upon monopoly and aristocracy.
The day has gone by when any chief
magistrate will occupy the gubcrnator-
ial chair nineteen years, as Thomas did,
or eleven years, as Isaac Tichenor did,
or nine rears, as Jonas Galusha did, or
even six years, as Silas ii. Jennison
did. Several years since custom made
a law that q governor should receive
but one election and that must be first
on one side of the mountain then upon
the other, and there has been no devia-
ton from II.
Some twenty-five years ago custom
made q law that no member of Con-
gress should receive more than three
elections, aud If l am not mistak en-, no
member has received the fourth cleo
ton. Walton served six years and re-
tired. Woodbridge served six years
and retired. Willard served six years
and retired. Joyce has had II six years
and bis friends urge him to remain In
the field. They do not say In what re-
spect he excclis all Of his predeces-
sors.
In relation TO John w. Stewart, L
would say that he 10 so well known In
Vermont that II Is uncalled for TO say
anything respecting him; suffice It 1
say that he Is In all respects the man
whom the First District should send TO
Congress. FAaNHB.
whiting, June 22,