Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1881-03-18
PERSONAL AND POLITICAL.

In Indiana, the constitutional amendments
Were carried again on a small vote, but they
will be contested in the courts, on the ground
of the illegal;ty If their r, Submission:
The United States Supreme Court, now
that Judges Hunt aud Clifford are pcrma-
ncntly disabled, and other judges are liable
to be, temporarily, can hardly muster quo
rum. A successor to Judge Swayne is ur-
gently needed, hut the country can better
afford to wait little longer than 10 have
Stanley Matthews confirmed.
/ The Tribune publishes another Of G. c.
| Claws letters from Canada to the COnfed-
crate Secretary Of State, written in 1861.
The great question with the rebels then was
who would he elected President, Mr.. Lin
coin or Gen. Mcclellan, and Mr. Clay's letter
was written for the purpose of giving the
| Southern leaders an insight into the politics
of the North Mr.. Clay makes the distinct
asseveration that 'Mac is privately pledged
make peace evenat the expense of separa-
ton, If the South cannot be induced to re-
construct any common government" Mac
| was the familiar way in which the rebels
commonly spoke of the Democratic candidate
for President.
The HYuhTs Washington correspondent
saws Gen Mahone's course is rcgaraednot only
as honorable to him, but wise for his State.
1t is bitterly denounced by handful Of Nlr-
sinia Republican spoilsmen whose effort
has been for years TO keep the Republican
| party in their State as small as possible in
| order that each OF these grumblers might
have as much patronage to divide as posi-
| bic. Gen Mahnnc's position breaks The
solid Democracy of Virginia and the solid
| South, and Senator Hills abuse Of Malone
will help to do it.
Gen Edserton, appointed by Gov. Pills
bury OF Minnesota to succeed Mr.. Window,
is said to be man of good ability and OF
fine personal appearance. lie is native OF
New York State, and for the last twenty
years has been prominent in Minnesota
State politics Before the war he was n
Democrat, and in 1850 he was a member of
the Baltimore Convention, from which he
retired with the delegates who nominated
Breckenridge. In 1862 he entered the army
as a volunteer, and was made captain. y
year later he was promoted to the position OF
colonel and later was made Brevet Brigadicr-
General After the war he became Re
publican.
There are only four vacancies in the pres
cnt Congress to he filled by special election,
caused by the ell, cticn of Messis. Frye Of
Maine and Congcr of Michigan to the Senate,
the appointment of Mr.. Morton rs minister
| to France and the death of Fernando Wood.
Mr.. Conger's district has been steadily Re
| publican for a great many years, and last
year he was elected by majority of eO0t
over his Democratic and Greenback oppOn
en,s. Mr.. Frye's district is in no doubt. Iii:
majority last fall over strong candidate wa'
more than 2G00. l. will not be less at thu
special election. Mr.. Morton's district is moi
so sure although his majority exceeded
5000 \ multitude of votes CAGE to HIN
from other than political considerations A
man equally popular would be sure to sue
coed, while man less popular might b
beaten. Mr. Wood will undoubtedly b'
succeeded hy man of his own politica
faith
Ex-senator Eaton of Connecticut bein!
asked his opinion of the late political cam
paign, said ''Our folks acted like asses, :
most just and comprehensive Judgment o
the Democratic party.
Captain Eads mas three parties of engineer
at work at the isthmus on his ship-railwa,
scheme.