Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1872-07-03
The State Convention.

village last Wednesday.
The result Of this Convention in its choice
Of nominee for Governor was a surprise to
many. Not but that Mr. Conversc's name
had been frequently and favorably mem
toned 10 connection with this Office nor be-
cause the selection was not one in every way
ct aud proper to have been made, but be.
cause other names had been more prominently |
brought before the people this year, aud in
the general discussion, Mr.. Conyerse's name
had been rather forced into the background.
1t was early evident that majority of the
Convention had been convinced, though we
confess We are unable to sec by what sound
reasoning Of the propriety Of the "one
term rule, which virtually defeated Gov.
Stewards prospects for denomination.
The action of Windsor county, too, on the
evening before the Convention, in casting
thirty-four other forty-nine votes in favor Mr..
Converse, and the yet more unanimous vote
for Mr.. Converse from old Orange, Mr.. Bill
lings' native county, caused diversion among
the zone term deegatesin Mr.. C's favor thus
placing three candidates in the field, and render
ing evident that, without yielding somewhere,
no nomination could be made.
Mr.. Stewart and his friends felt justly ag-
grieved at the course pursued by some of the
over ardent and jealous of Mr.. Billings sup
porters, and stoutly objected to the personal
manner in which they had carried on their
canvass. Many Of Mr.. Stewards friends felt
that no valid excuse could be given for the
charges of professional malpractice which
had been SO glibly preferred against him, and
Of which whole life of honorable and spot
less integrity should have been complete
refutation.
The action of Mr.. Stewards friends in
Withdrawing him from the contest, and asking
hissupporters to sustain MIR. Converse, is expli-
cable, and perhaps delensbe, upon this ground,
and no other, and this gave the nomination to
Mr.. Converse.
We feel constrained to say, however, that
the honorable and patriotic course pursued
by Mr.. Billings, in his speech to the Conven-
ton after the nomination, did much TO
allay this feeling, and convinced many,
even Of the most sceptical, that this fault
did not originate in his head or in his heart,
but was the work of unwise and unsafe par.
tizans. The speech was admirable in concep-
ton and magnificent in the delivery, and made
for " FRED Billings" friends Of almost the en-
tire convention
Hon. JULIUs CONVERSE, Of Woodstock, is
well known to the people of the State. He
served as Lieutenant Governor in 1850 and
1851, discharging the duties of presiding Of
fcer of the Senate with ability, He was
born in Fort Edward and fitted for the pro-
fession Of the law, which he has practised in
Windsor County for more than 40 years
He has represented the town of Woodstock
for many years in the House of Representa-
tives, and the County of Windsor two years,
if we mistake not, in the Senate He is
much respected in his own town and county
and is regarded as true and fitting repre-
sentative Of the prevailing social and politi
cal sentiment Of his native State.
The contest for the Lieutenant Governor
ship was between two of the most worth
and best qualified of the more youngerly por
ton of the party 1t was carried on by bot
in purely honorable and friendly spirit, an
its result is as cordially acquesced in by Nj
Clark as by Mr.. Taft We think the actio
Of some of the Rutland county delegates,
promising the vote of that county to NJ
Billings for the governorship, alienated man
Of the friends of Mr. Clark who preferre
Mr.. Stewart or Mr. Converse for that pos
ton, and may account for the large majorit
given to Mr.. Taft upon the first ballot.
Mr. Taft will bring to the discharge of h
duties an experience of two years 10 the Sci
ate, andan iDdomitable WILL which has wreste
success from the hardest conditions, and is
guarantee that he will well and honorably
any position to which the Partially of h
fellow citizens shall elevate him. His is
most excellent selection.
For the position of State Treasurer v
heard no wish expressed from any quart
for change, and Mr.. Page received the me
tied compliment of a unanimous renomini
ton.
Hon. Harmon Garfield and Hon. EIish
7. Jewett, the nominees for Presidenti
Electors at Large, are too well and too favo
ably known throughout the entire length az
breadth ofthe State US sterling Republicans al
capable and intelligent gentlemen, to require
word at our hands. The selections we're MAJ
with rare regard to fitness, and will conn
themselves to all.
There is at least one satisfactory result
this 80 close canvass for the offices in the q
Of the State it calls out full number
delegates, and gives an undoubted premor
tion Of full vote in September. There
nothing SO dispiriting in canvass as apath
and the lively canvassiug and unusual int
est taken in the selection Of candidates Il
year gives US ample assurance that we shi
not suffer from this cause.
Finally, the ticket is an excellent one, a
one which it will trouble even the most Fl
tidious TO cavil at. 1t will command I
entire support of the party, who will roll
for it an old fashioned majority of 10000,
September.
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