Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1916-08-16
VERMONT'S MOUNTAIN RULE.

e(An article by Frederick w. Baldwin
of Barton. in the New England Maya.
zine for May.)
Vermont is divided into two nearly
equal parts by range of hills known
as the Green Mounta aims. These form
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 a
practice rooted in tradition, unrecog-
as the constitution itself. By this
custom, nominations and appointments
to political Office are so arranged that
an equal opportunity of political
patronage is extended to the people on
both sides of the grand division. Ver-
mont's most exhaustive historical
writer, Hon. e. P. Walton, says,
"This rule has always been accepted
from the admission of Vermont to the
Union" (Vol. 8. p. 4; G and c.. This
event occurred in 1871, and separates
the subsequent history of the state
from the preceding. or colonial period,
which dates from the settlement of
Vermont in 1874.
The history of Vermont is, in some
respects the most remarkable of that
of any of the United States. The first
settlers were plain. industrious,
hardy race of men, who had emigrated
from the most part, from Massachu-
sets and Connecticut, with no idea of
forming an independent republic, but
merely to make homes for themselves
and their children in the much-talked
of New Hampshire Grants"
Previous to 1865 it was generally
understood, both in England and
America, that the Province Of New
Hampshire extended westerly to a
twenty mile line from the Hudson
river and Lake Champlain, and this
included the present state of Vermont.
In accordance with this understand
ing, Benning Wentworth. governor of
New Hampshire from the year 1749 to
1854, granted in the Kings name one
hundred and thirty-six townships of
land each of about six miles square
and all situated between the Come cti-
cut river and the twenty-mile line.
July 20, 1854, King George declared
the western boundary of the Connecti-
cut river to be the boundary between
New Hampshire ard 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 dispos-
sessing the settlers met with deter.
mined and obstinate resistance.
| In ITO 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-
and Council of New York, by force, as
law and justice have been denied us. -
The result of this action was, that
several of the more prominent settlers
were indicted by the courts of New
York as "rioters." A reward was
offered for the apprehension of Ethan
| Allen, Seth Warner and others.
In 1774, the government Of New York
passed an act, which put an end to al
prospect of reconciliation. 1t declared
that unless the offenders surrendered
themselves to the authorities of New
York within the space of seventy days
they should be indicted, for capita
offense, in court of the Colony, be
convicted of felony, and suffer death
without the benefit of the clergy.
September rs, 1776 there was a con.
vention held at Dorset. at which thirty
five towns were represented, ten from
the east and twenty-five from the ives
side of the mountains. At this con
vention, resolution was passed with
out dissenting vote, Ito take suitable
measures, as soon as may be, tt
declare the New Hampshire Grants
free and Independent district"
This convention was adjourned from
time to time, until July 2, 1777, a
Windsor, when constitution wa
adopted, an election ordered,.a regi
ment of soldiers organized. and
council of safety elected to manage tn,
affairs of the new republic, until tn
government should become operativ,
under the constitution.
From December 10, ITS to July
l777 six conventions were held, thre
on the east side and three on the ives
side of the Green Mountains.
The first general assembly of tn
young republic was held at Windsor
March IL, 1778, and from that tim
until March 4. 1871, thirteen years
when Vermont was admitted into tn
Union, its general assembly had me
twenty eight times, fourteen on to-
east side and fourteen on the west sid
of the Green Mountains. usually alter
mating between the sides of the state
During this time, the governors wer
taken from the west side, snd tn
: lieutenant governors from the cas-
side.
: At the October, 1880, session O
the Legislature, held at Castlettn a
act was passed; providing: "tha
Alden Spo1ner of Windsor should b
state printer, that year, and tia
! thereafterwards. Haswell & Russo
: of Bennington, and Mr.. Spoone,
i shoIli alternate as state printers -
= The territory comprising the nev
republic was practically a wilderness
range of high mountains, reaching it