St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1916-08-23

History of Famous Vermont Pracace
Showing 1t Has Prevailed From
Early Days

win of Barton, in the New England
Magazine for May.)
Vermont is divided into two nearly
equal parts by a range of hills known
as the Green Mountains. These form
a ridge running north and south, the
length of the state and substantially
along it's central line.
This physical condition has given
rise to the political arrangement
known as the Mountain Rule"
practice rooted in tradition, unreeog-
nized by law, but as binding in effect
as the constitution itself. BY TINS
custom nominations and appoint
ments to political office are so ar
ranged that an equal opportunity OF
political patronage is extended to the
people on both sides of the grand
division. Vermont's most exhaustive
| historical writer, Hon. E. P. Walton,
says, This rule has always been &C
cepted from the admission of Vermont
to the Union (Vol. 8, p. A; G and @.
This event occurred in 1871, and sep
arates the subsequent history OF the
state from the preceding, or colonial
period, which dates from the settle
ment of Vermont in 1924.
The history of Vermont is, in some
respects the most remarkable OF that
of any of the United States. The hrst
settlers were a plain, industrious,
hardy race of men, who had emigrat-
ed from the most part, from Massa-
chusetts and Connecticut, with no
idea of forming an Independent re-
public. but merely to make homes for
themselves and their children in the
much-talked of New Hampshire
Grants"
Previous to 1855 it was generally
understood, both in England and
America, that the Province of New
Hampshire extended westerly to a
20 mile line from the Hudson river
and Lake Champlain, and this in
cluded the present state of Vermont.
In accordance with this under
standing, Benning Wentworth, gov
ernor of New Hampshire from the
year 1749 to 1854, granted in the
Kings name, 166 townships of land
each of about six miles square and
all situated between the Connecticut
river and the 2O-mile line.
July 20, 1854, King George de-
clared the western boundary of the
Connecticut river to be the boundary
| between New Hampshire and New
York.
The Governor Of New York treated
the grants made by the Governor of
New Hampshire, as utilities, and the
settlers under them as trespassers.
Suits in ejectment were brought be-
! fore the supreme court at Albany,
and judgments rendered against the
settlers, in every case; but attempts
to execute these judgments, by dis
possessing the settlers met with a de-
! termined and obstinate resistance.
In 1910 a convention of the settlers
was called at Bennington, and passed
| the following resolution: Resolved
to support our rights and property,
which we possessed under the New
! Hampshire Grants against the usurpa-
ton and unjust claims of the Gov
ernor and Council of New York, by
force, as law and justice have been
| denied u.s."
The result of this action was, that
several of the more prominent set
tiers were indicted by the courts of
New York as rioters A reward
was offered for the apprehension of
Ethan Allen, Seth Warner and others.
The First Convention.
In 1874, the government of New
York passed an act, which put an end
to all prospect of reconciliation. 1t
| declared that unless the offenders
surrendered themselves to the author
tiles Of New York within the space of
20 days, they should be indicted, for
capital offense, in a court of the
Colony, be convicted of felony, and
suffer death without the benefit of the
clergy.
September 25s 1776, there was a
convention held at Dorset, at which
IS towns were represented, 10 from
the east and Is from the west side of
the mountains. At this convention, a
resolution was passed without a dis
senting vote, "to take suitable meas
ures, as soon as may be, to declare
the New Hampshire Grants a free
and independent district"
This convention was adjourned
from time to time, until July 2, 1777,
at Windsor, when a constitution was
adopted, an election ordered, a regi-
council of safety elected to manage
the affairs of the new republic, until
the government should become opera
tive under the constitution.
From December 10, 1775, to July
2, 1777, six conventions were held
three on the east side and three on
the west side Of the Green Mountains
The first general assembly of the
young republic was held at Windsor
March II, 1878, and from that time
until March 4. 1871, 13 years, when
its general assembly had met rs
times, IA on the east side and IA on
the west side of the Green Mountains
usually alternating between the sides
of the state.
During this time, the governors
hwere taken from the west side, and
the lieutenant governors from the
east side.
Alternate On Printers.
At the October, 1890, session OF
the legislature, held at Castleton, an
act was passed; providing, THAT AL
den Spooner of Windsor should be
state printer, that year, and that
thereafterwards, Haswe11 & Russell Of
Bennington, and Mr.. Spooner, should