Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1874-02-06
The GOVernOrship.

The Springfield Union on Tuesday pub
lished a communication from a Macon,
Georgia, correspondent, in which the fol-
lowing paragraph appears. We know moth
ing of the facts in the case beyond the say
so of the correspondent, but the story
makes interesting reading for Vermonters,
at any rate:
"Some of your manufacturers favored us
with exhibitions of their goods at our last
state fair. Fairbanks gave us large dis
play of that old standard which weighs
nine-tenths of the cotton of the South and
Howe's scales were also displayed, though
not SO literally. Speaking of these exhi-
billions, l am reminded of an item in
Northern paper, upon which my eye has
just fallen
There are three prominent gentlemen
already in the field as candidates for gov
ernor of Vermont-tbo Hon. Bradley Bar
low, of St. Adams, banker and govern
meut contractor; the Hon. n. I. Sprague,
Jr., of Brandon, member Of the State Sem
ate, farmer. and manufacturer of Howe's
scales and the Hon. II. w. Park of Ben
nington, great railroad man. All are gem
tl5men of great energy and ability, and
c%c ,b s ",ocIy friends already at work
"The mention Of Mr.. Sprague reminds
state fair. Thinking, l suppose, that the
surest way 10 success at the South was by
honorng its military leaders, he suspend
ed over his scales the photographs of the
mucb-lamented Generals Lee, jackson, ETC.;
and at a dinner given by his Northern
agent, Major Sproul, to some OF our citi-
zens, toast was proposed ito the memory
of those whom Major Sproul had honored.'
(See Macon Telegraph, November 10th,
1871 To Southcrners this was satsactO-
nv, il sincere but, as Mr.. Sprague is as
piring 10 be governor of that warm repub-
lican State, Vermont, where, If his scales
were Ornamented with photographs OfsOuth-
ern generals, he could count his votes on
his fingers, we have q right TO know where
this Northern manufacturer stands lfhis-
tory had, in November furnished the warn
ing of Caleb Gushing, we think Mr..
Sprague would have been wiser man, and
given us his scales plain, without any po-
lticdi fduoring.
perhaps this will make a good cam
paign document in the coming gubernato-
rial contest in the Green Mountain State"
The Union in commenting on the above
statement, says:
at is to be hoped that such prostrltion. be-
fore southern sentiment resulted in good
trade. ANY man who could get down rs low
as that ought TO make money, for it is very
certain he could make nothing else. Least
of all will it be likely to make votes for
him among the republicans, and palticu-
larly among the soldiers of Vermont. A
man who processes one thing at home in
the North and another in the South, is
hardly the man to be made governor, at
least within ten years of the close OF the
war.
And now that we are on the subject, we
would ask the republicans of Varnnant why
they do not not take the matter of select
ing governor into their own hands, and
not allow Mr.. Sprague, Jr., or anybody
else, to crowd into the executive seat un-
asked? There is plenty of material to pick
from, if there should be a disposition to
exercise choice in the selection. There are
Judge Poland Congressman and ex-Lieut.
Governor Hendee, Frederick Billings, If
his health will allow. and Congressman
Willard, either Of them would make bet
ter governor than those who have got them
selves mentioned thus early as prominent
candidates for the position. The election
does not occur till September, SO there is
ample time to look around and get the best.
vermont is n small State, but it is
good one, and has an honorable record in
history. For many years it has been
counted on TO right in every election,
that is, it is strongly republican. But the
republicans can only hope to keep political
power in the State by deserving it,-as they
have not always in recent years, judging
by some of the men they have helped 10
put into office. If this Generalization, this
ratfying of the edicts OF rings is to 60 on,
even Vermont will soon have an oppos-
ton not TO be despised. 1t is particularly
important that no mistakes be made this
year. when party lines are very loosely
drawn everywhere and when the opposi-
ton, encouraged by victories elsewhere,
viii be encouraged TO unwonted activity
and on the alert to take advantage of every
blunder."
All Of which we heartily commend to the
attention of Republican readers. Now
then, let us listen to remarks from the
Brandon gentleman.