Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1880-05-14
The First Congressional District.

From the Rutland Herald, May IL
We understand that the present incum-
bent, Col. Charles ii. Joyce, while he has
declined TO personally press himself for re-
nomination, is already strongly urged by his
friends throughout the District to be his own
successor. Col. Joyce's friends argue that
the election of 1880 will be the last when
three Congressman will be elected from Yer
mont; that it would he hardly good policy
to send Il new and inexperienced man from
this section Tor. one term, as the enlargement
Of the field of competition in 1889 would
make it somewhat doubtful whether any one
who should now be selected would he then
returned, since other counties than our pres
eut District would then have a voice in
the nomination. a large number of inf1ucn-
tial men among Col. Joyce's constituents
have written him urging that, under all the
circumstances, it seemed desirable that he
should serve out our last term under the old
assignment of three Districts to Vermont,
and make no change until the new appor
tionment of two Districts was in force in
1882
While Col Joyce, we believe, could easily
secure the united and active support of Rut-
land county, he would not wish to embar-
rass his friends by seeming to force himself
into the field, and would only permit the
use Of his name in case this unsolicited ex-
preston of opinion. already conveyed to him
by many of his warm friends, should take
the form of 4 general summons on the part
of his county that no man could well Afford
to refuse. This, we believe, states Colonel
Joyce's position he feels grateful for
the past support of his fellow Gill
Zcns. and so far as his successor is
concerned he is entirely anxious that
his county should make a free and unem-
barrassed choice of II candidate. Col. Joyce
hasNecn an industrious, painstaking and
energetic member of Congress in all matters
that involved the immediate interests of his
constituents he is generally popular with
all classes OF Republicans for his prompt al
teniiun 10 all matters of legitimate public
business. in which his fellow citizens have
found il necessary TO ask his advice and as
sislancc, and we believe the general verdict
is that he has filed his place at Washington
ably and to the general satisfaction Of his
district. So far as the rest Of the
district is concerned we have excellent
authority for the announcement that the
friends Of cx-Gov. John W. Stewart intend
to present his name to the district conven
,ion, and that Bennington county will pres
cnt the name of Col. NJ. 5. Colburn or some
other equally intelligent and trustworthy
Republican. Bennington county, we under
stand will urge her candidate on the ground
that for nearly thirty years no Congressman
has been taken from that county and that in
fairness the succession falls naturally to Ben
nngton. Gov. Stewart aud Col. Colbun
are both able and loyal Republicans, and
either would serve the State doubtless with
entire acccptahility, but, of course, if Rut-
land county should find any general disIssi-
ton to return Col. Joyce for another term on
the plea urged by his friends our first allie
giance would belong to the candidate of our
own town and county