HIStORY OF VERMONt. 31^ 



tenaed this contest seems to have convinced all 

 parties that they had not arrived to infallihihty 

 in their plans, or to great eminence in the busi- 

 ness of making addresses ; and that instead of 

 being rewarded with eclat and applause, they* 

 were much more likely to meet with derision 

 and ridicule frbm their constituents. To avoid 

 ^uch scenes, one of the members gravely intro- 

 duced a motion that the house should earnestly 

 recommend in future that the governor should 

 not make a formal speech ; and assigned as the 

 reason that a formal speech from the governor,- 

 and a formal address in answer^ usually engross- 

 ed a very considerable time in lengthy, warm, 

 and fruitless debates, and delayed the more im- 

 portant business of legislation.* Unwilling to 

 give up the business, from which several of the 

 members had acquired their importance, and de- 

 rived their honor and offices, the vote of the ma- 

 jority decided against the motion. 



Happily for the assembly no other political 

 questions came forward at this session, that would 

 naturally divide and inflame the members ; and! 

 having struggled with great ardor, but without 

 much success or honor, about their address^ 

 both parties wisely quitted the business, and 

 applied to the common and necessary concerns 

 of the state. Their elections were chiefly in fa- 

 vor of what were esteemed republican characters. 

 Some of the former civil officers were removed 

 on account of their political opinions, or rather 

 to make room for the appointment of some 

 favorite republicans. But although it was meant 

 to favor that party in the appointments to civil' 



* Page 130, 131, 



