Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1884-02-29

conference of Independent Republicans,
mostly from New York and Massachusetts,
was held in New York last Saturday. The
meeting was not large one, and not many
of the men who attended have been promi-
nently before the public, but the gathering
was nevertheless a significant one The tone
of the discussions was earnestly against ma
chine methods and in favor of civil service
and political reform. The resolutions adopt
ed declare, first that it is indispensable to
the success of the Republican party that the
character, record and political associations of
Its candidates for President and Vice Presi.
dent of the United States should be such as
to warrant entire confidence in their readi
neBs to defend the advances already made
toward divorciug the public service from
party politics, and to continue these advances
till the separation has been made final and
complete )" second, that the choice of dele
gates to Chicago should be free from machine
dictation and by congressional districts wher-
ever desired; third, that the national con.
vention ought to take action to secure repre-
sentation of the party vote in the composition
of the convention" An executive committee,
with Joseph W. Harper, Jr., as chairman,
was chosen to perfect such organization as
may be found desirable. There was no men
ton of the names of candidates, but the drift
of the meeting was Enthusiastically in the d.
rection of Edmunds and Lincoln, and the
occasional illusions to President Arthur were
received in way that proved conclusively
that his nomination at the Chicago conven-
ton would meet with the earnest opposition
of independents in New York state at least
The British government has performed an
exceedingly courteous and generous act in
presenting to our government the steamer
Alert for use in the expedition for the rescue
of Lieut.. Greedy. The facts in regard to the
presentation are stated in the following letter
from Secretary Frelinghuysen to President
Arthur, which was transmitted to the House
of Representatives last Friday:
SIN the search for vessels suitable for the expedi
tion now preparing to relieve Lieutenant Greedy and
his party attention was early directed to the Alert
which is the property of the British government and
was the advance ship of the expedition under Sir
George Mares 1t was desired TO secure This vessel
she is peculiarly ted for the Intended seryiceand
the inspecting officers recommended her. Mr. Low
ell was therefore instructed to ask whether she could
this government having previously and Informally
reached the British Admiralty, private intimation
was conveyed to the United States Minister to the ef-
feet that the British government had not forgotten
the very consderate conduct Of this government on
the occasion OF the recovery Of the Resoute and that
should any suggestion be made that the vessel would
be Of use to the expedition she would be presented
The Resolute, vessel, the President remembers
formerly belonging 10 her Majesty's navy, having
been abandoned In the Arctic region, discovered
aud brought to the United States by American sea-
men, aud thereupon was purchased by this govern
ment OF her salyors repaired and returned to Great
Britain. On her arrival In England the vessel was re-
ceiyed by the Queen In person, and the officers Of the
United States navy who took the ship thither were
treated with every official and personal courtesy The
government Of Her Majesty has now given the Ale ri
to the United States Internationally with her apch-
ors, chains aud such OF her equipment can be ut-
iAed."
The Alert has been nearer the north pole
than any other vessel Under Capt. Mares,
in September, 1875, she entered the central
basin of the polar sea, came to anchor in N.
lat. S2' 27', only 453 geographical miles from
the pole and spent whole year there under
the shelter of belt of high icebergs, while
sledge parties explored the surrounding coun.
try. Congress will accept the gift of the
vessel with suitable expression of apprecia.
ton 10 the British government.