Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1874-09-11

of them be candidates, and this he did
suppose upon information ! gave him,
You may Judge Of my surprise on seeing
in the Windsor county papers of the
same week that Mr.. Denison was in the
field rs a candidate. | at once wrote TO
Mr.. Denison expressing MY astonish-
ment reminding him of our conveisa-
ton, and asking him ifNhe announce
ment of his name was authorized by
him. He replied, and claimed that /
misunderstood, or misinterpreted his
statement to me, that he only meant me
to understand that he had not then de-
termined to be a candidate. l have on.
ly to say, that ii such was Mr.. Denison' s
purpose, he was either very intelicitous
in his use of language, or | was very I'M
fortunate in understanding it, and entire
ly failed to ascertain the very fact was
in pursuit of.
Mr.. Denison said further in his letter,
that if he received the nomination he
should be very grateful, and that if |
received it, he should cheerfully support
me.
/ have stated the matter thus minute
ly, not for the purpose of raising any
question between Mr.. Denison and my
self, but to absolve myself from the
charge of thrustng myself into a con-
test for the candidacy.
Having thus become party to a conflict for the
candidacy without expecting it, endeavored to as
candidates usually do incite my friends to active
exertion to have my supporters at the caucuses for
choice Of delegates. Both my opponents did the
same. ! received the nomination at the convention
by handsome majority over both my opponents
Everything pertaining to the election Of delegates
and the conduct of the convention was perfectly
fair and honorable as far as have knowledge or in
formation believed it to have been so, and sup
posed the contest ended. But portion of the dele
gates, whosupported my opponents left the conven-
ton, held separate meeting, nominated Mr.. Deni-
son andSpened q vigorous and bitter canvass. Hav-
ing been fairly nominated in regular convention |
refrainedfrom further effort
Just on the eve Of election circulars were issued
and handbills posted throughout the District alleging
that my nomination was in no way binding upon
the party because | had procured delegates to the
convention by buying votes with money | learn
also that most marvellous tales were told of the
amounts expended, with detail of circumstances.
What influence this had do not know, IL have only
to say that the whole thing is sheer fabricaton-l
never expended penny to influence the vote Of any
man, nor did ever authorize any one to do so for
me, nor 40 i Deli6N6 any one QlQ So
Both before the Convention and afterward. | was
stignatized as " Credit Mobiler Whitewasher,' a
salary grabber,' and " Press gagger" NY course
upon each Of the matters referred to by these cpl
thets is open and known to all the world. | would
not desire to change il. 1t will bear the closest
scrutiny, and when all interest to malign me have
passed away, have no fear but my action viii
meet the approval of all just men.
1t has been alleged that / belonged to Rings
| Precisely what this means do not know, but as
ipta daIt
having joined in the support of some unjust scheme
/ with q view to my own personal gain Of others.
! have to say that have never given vote o.
| done any public act whatever that would not hav,
been glad should have been witnessed by every ont
of my constituents; have never done any act il
connection with my official duty, that was not ac
cording to the dictates of my Judgment and con
science; and have directly orindrectly beer
the gamer of one cent by any vote or other ofcia
act.
have not aspired tc be leader in Congress,
| have contented myself with laborious and faithful
attention to every duty, trusting to such effort alon
| for my standing in Congress. The positions Of diff
4 iculty and responsibility in which / have beer
placed, and the manner in which those responsible
| ties have been met in my Judgment have not beer
| discreditable to you, or to the state
You can doubtless easily fill my place with a MAJ
| of greater ability than myself and one who will at
| tain higher position in Congress, but do not be
lieve you will find whose service, will be NOR
| faithful and conscientious than mine has been.
| have seen it stated that the exploration Of thu
vote against me, was that the people Of my Distric
had lost confidence in my integrity as public man
| 1t would give me great pain to believe this.
have never been insensible to"the good opinion
and appreciation of my fellow men. / have endeav
ored all my life to deserve IT, by honestly fulllin,
every duty to my fellows bolts individuals, AM
as constituting the community or state
have never sought for popular favor in any 9th e
mode
| In relation to the causes; or the means used, 70
my political defeat, desire to say no more, the
are not now Of special interest between US.
But cannot refrain from saying that am deep
ly grateful to the people Of my native State, and
this District for the long continued favor extende
me, and for the confidence so long exhibited.
that confidence is no longer felt have the consola
ton of believing that its withdrawal has not bee
merited by an act or omission Of mine.
1 LUKE P. POLAND.
St. Johnsbury, Sept. 7, 1874