Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1874-05-22
The GoVcrnorship.

Th e issue Of the call for the Republican
State Convention brings anew 10 mind the
fact that our gubernatorial election is to
take place next September, and it is time
that the people were casting about them to
see who is the man best fitted TO discharge
the duties and wear the honors Of the chief
magistracy during the coming term. Since
by custom and general consent, the "com-
ing man. is TO be selected from orc Of the
west side counties, and since, moreover,
those counties aIe aIuudantly able to sup
ply tho material of which good governors
are made, the people of this section natur-
ally feel n less lively interest in the qucs-
ton Of choice than they otherwise would.
OF the men whose names have been most
prominently mentioned in connection with
the Govcrnorship, our readers are already
informed. Hon. r. w. Park Of Benning-
ton, whose name has been considered one
of tn e strongest in the list, is understood to
''declinc" the nomination. Wheth,r this
declin alton is positive will of course he
doubted by some, but from the tone of the
bennington and Rutland papers, quoted
csewhe re, we Judge that Mr. Park really
does not desire his name to be used as
candidate. And considering the present
condition of the public mind, wethinE that
Mr. Parks decision is wise. The majority
Of Vermont Republicans, we believe, will
best be pleased TO vote for governor of
the olden stamp-a man free from railroad
and all other rings-a man "of the people"
one whose feelings interests, experience
and abilities stamp him as true son of
Vermont. So that he be that, and Of char
acter unsulled, it matters little TO us who
next bears the title of Governor.
or the score or more of names that have
bt en- brought forward in this connection,
seemingly there is none which so complete
ly fills the bill as does that of The Hon. As
abel Peck Of Burlington. Chief-Justice
Pierpoint has naturally been thought of by
many as, from his high position, most
properly entitled to the govern 1rship, were
lie DESTROYS of leaving the bench at this
time but his wishes are known to be ad-
verse TO such proposition. In regard TO
j Judge Peck, (who holds the third position
upon our Supreme bench it is known 10
have been his settled purpose for at least
two years to retire from the bench at the
close of his present term and since his
well-known abilities and long experience
so prominently qualify him for the Office of
governor, it would seem that there can be
little question as TO the policy of making
him the nominee of the Republican party
at the coming State convention, in prefer
ence TO any of the men heretofore named.
In this section of the State We are confident
that Judge Peck would receive a hearty
and unqualified support.
For the benefit of uniformed readers
we copy the following sketch of Judge
Peck from Rutland exchange:
Asahel Peck was born in Worcester
county, Mass, about the year 1904, but was
in infancy brought by his parents TO Mont
pelier, Vermont, where his childhood and
youth were passed. He lived and worked
on his fathers farm until he arrived at the
years of majority, save when he was at
tending the public schools or neighboring
academies, and teaching school winters"
as so many Vermont judges and STATES
men have done. When he reached the age
of twenty one years, he made choice of the
law as his life work, and commenced the
study thereof in the office of his brother.
Nahum Peck of Hineshurgh. at that lime
prominent lawyer and legislator of Chit
tenden county. From his brothers. office
he entered that of Blloy and Marsh. then
the leading "nrnl' OF lawyers in northern
Vermont, and completing his studies I'M
der their direction, he was admitted 10 the
bar in Chittenden county in March 1882.
lie Immediately entered upon the practice
of his profession in Burlington, and con.
tnued 1t with ever incr sasin & success until
1851, when, without his knowledge, he was
made one of the "circuit judges" of Yer
mont, with such associates as Robert Pier
point, Jacob Colamer and Luke p. Poland.
That court was abolished in 1857, and Judge
Peck once more resumed the practice of
his profession in Burlington, being elected
to the state senate in 1860; and the same
year, while yet senator, he was made a
judge of the supreme court, in which ca
pacity he has served the state for fourteen
consecutive years. How he has DISCHARGED
those responsible duties we need not 1ell
the people of Vermont. They have watched
his course. They know him. An upright
man, an honest lawyer, a Just Judge, a
good citizen, a man OF integrity and whose
purity Of character has never been assailed
by the breath of suspicion, legislator, ju-
rlst and statesman, such a man is Asabel
Peck.