Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1872-05-31
The Governor Question on the East
Side of the State.


We hazard nothing in saying that Mr.. Bill
lings would have received the nomination at Bel
lows Falls with remarkable unanimity. had the
convention which met at that place been en-
powered to make it.
By the turn stfsirs have taken since thst time
the Goyernorship has come to be % all at sea.
as the ssying goes, and we propose to state
frankly why this is so. Before Mr.. Billings VISA
named as a candidate for Governor, his friends,
who are the friends slso Of Gov. Stewart, re-
ceiyed assurs1ces from the latter that he shonlt
not ask for 4 re election, AZ he felt COM
PEELED 20 yield 10 the urgent call Of many
citizens and allow his name TO be presented az a
candidate for Congress. But MIR. Stewart said
then, as we understand he t.ys now that his
own choice would be 10 accept Sgain the office
of Governor. should the people choose to give it
to him Moreover, Mr. Billings, while spprecis-
tingthe honor his many frien1e would conferred
upon him. wanted it clearly understood thst be
should not push for the Plsce much less make a
CONTEXT 20 obtain il, and declined to allow his name
to be used, until Mr.. Stewart position had been
made known to him. To confirm the truth Of
this statement regarding Gov. Stewart, we need
not 20 beyond the fact, known throughout the
State, that be allowed the csnvsss to proceed 10
An extreme point, without word of objection on
aware Of the probable result, the point being
granted that the public understood correctly hi.
own position in the matter.
But Al Bellows Falls il was whispered shout
that Gov. Stewart had sRid to come ore, day
or two before, that he should ask for ren0mins-
ton. The statement vac received with surprise
aud increiulity by bis own trusted supporters,
some OF whom had been prominent in urging Mr..
Billings 10 become 4 candidate, while the friends
Of the latter could not but feel that il was any
thing but manly snd square, to say the least, 70
change front At that late day, anu thereby place
them snd their candidate in such an uufavora-
bic position before the public Men Of all par
ties, therefore were slow to believe that the ru-
NOR had any good foundation, and the assembly
broke up and people returned 10 their homes
with the general expectation, We venture to Say,
that Mr. Billings would receive the nomination
when the State Convention met
When this governor question was first mooied,
il was expected that Vermont would lose one Of
her three members Of Congress. la thst event
ii WAS generally supposed that the State would
be divided into two districts. with the mountain
as a dividing line The western district, 90
called, would receive a. g legacy the snmcsities
engenderei by the recent bitter contests in the
old third snd fourth d.st'isjs Wlth this fact
before flHfu Inc AlltuIk Nl Nj il Itts
for good restons, were claiming tast be is the
only man upon whom the new and enlarged
district could unite Furthermore. as We under
stand the matter, he bad virtually consented 70
take his chsnces for Congress. Bg. through the
energy Of Mr. willard, the very worthy member
from the fret district the probabilities are that
Vermont will retain her three members, in which
event, as fitting recognition OF mis- services in
this behalf If for no other reasons, the feeling Il.
all but unxuimcus in bis district thst be should
receive = re election Mr.. Stewart, thus having
been driven of the Congressional course, nov
falls b.ck on the G0yornorshiP.
The is the whole csse briefly sni plainly
stated. As we understand it and As We believe &c
be the truth Il Is possible other Influences moi
here mentioned. have been brought TO bear on
Mr. Stewart, to sdect his decision N the ID tier
but Of THE we cannot claim t. have any positive
knowledge
The friends % llr Blliugs have nothing O.
conceal here While they may have conducted
the canvas vi energy, assureily all Will allow
they have rCroTiei 20 none but the uoGt hon
orable means to attain tucc,5s. Knowing their
candidate to he worthy IF any honor our State
can bestow, knowing him 70 have bea identified
from HE youth mp, with her interests, and
keeuly Sive TO her prosperity ami welfare
furthermore. being co4hleut tlai, u ciO-hel
with authority, he would give dignity to the
position he h.lei, sud stand by the right as al
hazards, they have glsily AMI hopefully sskei
the support Of the press sul the people il BIZ:
behalf, and have met wiki the most gratifying
response from sll psris Of the safe
What will become Of the present comp icstior
time alone can determine, but We notice thst 1
new element has made It's appearance during the
debate. which msy hNye an important bearing
on the hnsl result This Is. the question
whether the Governor in Vermont, as things
nov are, shsl. be called 90 10 serve second
term. or shall be allowed to I'll tut one. Had
Mr.. Stewart dropped out Of the field 10 the present
csnvAfs, this question would have remained in
.beysuce for two yearF By the Irescnt turn
Of affairs it hss teen suiieniy precp ,Stel, sni
its discussion is hecominy So current, IS 10
render it unsafe TO indulge jus, ROW 10 preiic-
tons concerning the iu.ure