758 



VERMONT. 



VIRGINIA. 



graduates has not exceeded 40. The number 

 of convicts in the State Prison, during the year, 

 was 72 males and 4 females, who were sup- 

 ported at an expense of $13,219. This exceeded 

 the income of the prison by $6,413. This state 

 of things is expected to continue so long as the 

 present contract for labor lasts, which expires 

 in 1871. The buildings of the Reform School 

 have been enlarged and improved at a cost 

 of $2,000, and the current expenses of the in- 

 stitution have amounted to $10,513, while the 

 earnings of the boys in the shops have been 

 $1,779. The produce of the farm reached the 

 value of $2,965, and was principally used in 

 support of the school. At the close of the 

 year, this institution had sixty-nine boys un- 

 der its charge, twelve of whom were placed 

 out in good situations, to remain during good 

 behavior. 



The Republicans of Vermont held a conven- 

 tion at Rutland, on the 18th of March, to 

 choose delegates to the National Convention at 

 Chicago, and published the principles which 

 formed the basis of the policy of the party. 

 The platform was as follows : 



Resolved, That we still believe in the self-evident 

 truth that all men are created equal, and that this 

 truth only finds its just interpretation and its per- 

 fect expression in constitutions and laws wnich 

 guarantee to every person equal civil and political 

 rights. 



Resolved. That we recognize in General Ulysses S. 

 Grant a soldier whose brilliant record in war has re- 

 ceived additional lustre by his firm, steady 2 frank 

 love of justice, freedom and truth in Ms administra- 

 tion of military affairs, and his obedience to the laws 

 in time of peace ; and a statesman whose wisdom, 

 moderation, sound judgment, and steadfast adhe- 

 rence to the principles of constitutional liberty, have 

 stood as a rock upon which the blandishments and 

 buffets of traitors, whether in power or not, have 

 poured in vain. We best give expression to what is 

 in the heart of every Eepublican in Vermont in join- 

 ing our voice to the common acclaim which names 

 this soldier and statesman as our leader in the next 

 presidential campaign. With Mm as CMef Magistrate, 

 the Sepublic will once more triumph over its enemies, 

 and order and peace will bring their blessings to this 

 disturbed land. 



Resolved^ That we approve the action of Congress 

 in respect to impeachment, and earnestly call upon 

 the Senate of the United States, sitting as a court of 

 impeachment, to proceed without fear, favor, or af- 

 fection, and we assure them that the people of Ver- 

 mont will stand by and naintain the just judgment 

 of the law. 



Resolved. That we hail the result of the labors of 

 our Eepublican brethren in New HampsMre in their 

 late political contest as the harbinger of the over- 

 whelming defeat wMch awaits our enemies in the 

 coming presidential campaign. 



The nominations for State officers were : for 

 Governor, John P. Page ; for Lieutenant-Gov- 

 ernor, Stephen Thomas ; for Treasurer, John 

 A. Page ; for Representatives in Congress : 1st 

 District, Charles W. Willard; 2d District, Luke 

 P. Poland ; 3d District, Worthington 0. Smith. 

 ^ The Democratic Convention met at Montp%- 

 lier on the 17th of July, and nominated John 

 L. Edwards for Governor. Resolutions were 

 adopted approving the nominations and plat- 

 form of the National Convention at New York. 



The election took place on the 1st of Septem- 

 ber, and resulted in the choice of the Republi- 

 can ticket by a large majority. The entire 

 vote for Governor numbered 57,904, of which 

 Page received 42,615, and Edwards 15,289, 

 by which the former had a majority of 27,326. 

 At the presidential election in November the 

 whole vote cast was 56,212, of which 44,167 

 were in favor of Grant, and 12,045 in favor of 

 Seymour ; Grant's majority being 32,122. 



The Legislature met on the 8th of October, 

 and continued in session until the 19th of No- 

 vember. This body consisted of 30 Senators, 

 all of whom were Republicans, and 249 Repre- 

 sentatives, of whom 224 were Republicans and 

 15 Democrats : 12 of the Senators were farm- 

 ers, 10 attorneys, 3 physicians, 3 merchants, 

 and 3 engaged in other pursuits : 151 members 

 of the House were farmers; 20 attorneys; 19 

 merchants ; 17 manufacturers ; and 42 of other 

 occupations. No laws of general interest were 

 passed at this session. 



VIRGINIA. The convention which assem- 

 bled at Richmond, on the 3d of December, 

 1867, to frame a constitution for the State of 

 Virginia, reassembled after a recess of two 

 weeks, on the 2d of January, 1868. It con- 

 tinued its deliberations until the 17th of April, 

 and during the session gave considerable time 

 to the discussion of subjects not immediately 

 connected with the duties assigned to it. Reso- 

 lutions were adopted approving the course of 

 the Federal Congress in impeaching President 

 Johnson, and a stay law for the relief of debt- 

 ors occupied a good deal of consideration. The 

 question of petitioning Congress for a removal 

 of political disabilities was discussed, but noth- 

 ing was done in the matter. 



The constitution provides, in the Bill of 

 Rights, that 



" This State shall ever remain a member of 

 the United States of America, and the people 

 thereof a part of the American nation, and all 

 attempts, from whatever source, and upon 

 whatever pretext, to dissolve said union, or to 

 sever said nation, are unauthorized and ought to 

 be resisted with the whole power of the State. 



" The Constitution of the United States, and 

 the laws of Congress passed in pursuance 

 thereof, constitute the Supreme law of the 

 land, to which permanent allegiance and obedi- 

 ence are due from every citizen, any thing in 

 the constitution, ordinances, or laws of any 

 State to the contrary notwithstanding. 



" Slavery is prohibited, and all citizens of the 

 State are declared to possess equal civil and po- 

 litical rights and public privileges. Duelling and 

 lotteries are forbidden. Only persons qualified 

 to hold office are permitted to sit on juries." 



The subject which excited the warmest de- 

 bate in the convention was that relating to the 

 elective franchise. A majority of the commit- 

 tee, to whom the duty of framing the article of 

 the constitution touching this matter was in- 

 trusted, reported provisions which would be- 

 stow the suffrage upon all negroes without dis- 



