Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1874-08-19

In another column we give the detailed
proceedings Of the nominating conventions
in the first and second districts, held on
Wednesday of last week.
In our own district, the result had been
anticipated for some days preceding the
convention by the best informed parties.
The personal popularity of Col Joyce, and
the still more potent argument of locality,
proved too much for the well-earned inAu-
ence and reputation Of Mr.. Willard. And
judging charitably, we can hardly wonder
that it was So Still we think it was a
mistake to exchange one possessing the ex-
perience, and especially the rare qualities
which our present member has proved him
self to possess, for any new man, however
promising he may be. In saying this, we
would by no means detract from the posi-
tive merits of Col Joyce. We know him
we'll He was bred in our county, and
here lad the foundation for his future sue
cess. He possesses talents Of no mean
order, and with prudence and discretion
will achieve a position and influence far
above the average congressman, and one Of
which all his constituents will be Justly
proud.
There was one highly gratifying feature
of this ransaction-that not a word of re-
proach or detraction was cast upon Mr..
Willard and the hearty approval Of his
official career by the convention which
failed to give him denomination, together
with the general regret at his retirement
which comes up from all quarters, must be
valued infinitely higher by him than re-
nomination, secured by questionable means.
In the second district, the result was
plainly foreshadowed by the primary meet
ings, which were all held at the same hour
on the Saturday preceding the convention.
In the choice Of delegates the re-nomina-
tion Of Judge Poland was decreed by the
decided majority of from twenty-five to
thirty. This majority was reduced to six
teen, as we understand, by inducing FIVE
delegates from Windham county, who had
been elected as Poland delegates, to throw
their first ballots for Judge Wheeler. The
friends Of Mead and Denison had worked
in harmony throughout the canvass, and
did so in the convention. With some ex.
ceptions, on the score Of locality, ETC., the
twenty-five votes cast for Col. Mead repre-,
scented the Granger element, which had beer
quite active in the canvass-though with
what show Of reason we fail TO PERCEIVE
and the thirty-six Denison votes came from
the smoldering embers of the Steele fight
These latter we're mainly from Windsor
county.
After the nomination had been fairly
made and announced, the customary motor
was offered, by an opponent Of the nominee
TO make the nomination unanimous. There
upon, Mr.. A. 7. Baldwin, of Newbury
whose opposition for some mysterious rea
son had seemed irresponsible from the be
ginning, called upon all hostile to the nom
ination Of Judge Poland to retire and pre-
sent a nominee in sympathy with them. Ii
response to this call, thirty-eight delegate.
retired to an adjoining hall, and after agree
ing to put in nomination such person al
should receive a majority of the votes, pro
ceeded to determine the question by al
informal ballot. The result was that Mr.
Denison was made the nominee--receivine
twenty votes, to eighteen for Col. Mead
In response to an invitation, Mr.. Deni.
son declined to 60 into the gathering Of
the malcnntants and wo learn that no has
since peremptorily declined to lend him.
self to any such movement With this re,
suit, doubtless the opposition to the regu
lar nomination, which has become charac
terired BY degree Of slanderous abus,
almost without parallel, will content itsel
with scattering fire at the polls.
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