Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1876-04-21
The Governor Question

unusually good names. mat OF horsce
Fairbanks, would, We think, be clearly the
leading name, but for rumors that he Will |
not permit it to 60 into the Convention
Til these are authoritatively contradicted
or affirmed, his numerous friends through |
out the State will be undecided u 10 their |
course In any event the State cannot |
60 very far amiss, among the excellent
gentlemen more prominently talked OF IN
various sections OF the State. We are an-
thorzei to say that the friends Of Hon.
Broug. t1u D. Harris, Of B-a;tlebOro, ID
tend t. presen; his name, in the Conven-
ton. snd with backing which will entitle
MS candidacy to respect.
Mr. Harris says Windham county
better than incorporate here, lis now in the
prime Of mature manhood, being about fifty
wears Of age, and in the full vigor of physi-
cal and mental powers His early education
and subsequent training and business pur-
suits have made him emphatically man OF
affairs. lie graduated al Dartmouth Col
lege, with high rank, and then went through
the usual course Of legal studies for the bar
but suddenly becoming engaged il editorial
pursuits, in which be achieved q decided
success. a. the older members VI ,Ae iratern-
ity Will bear tines, he never entered upon
the practice Of the law OF late years he
has been extensively and successfully en-
rloyed in the building Of railroads in yaTi-
Gus sections Of the country, IN which bust
ness the firm Of Harris Brothers i Co, Of
which he / the senior member, have attain
ed a vide and honorable reputation. Al
though an active and earnest worker IN the
political field for more than quarter Of
century, and, for the greater portion of that
time, q recognized leader of public opinion,
M Harris mas been but little in public life
Even before he had completed his legal
studie-, through the friendship Of our late
hon1red Senators, Collamer and Foote which
be retained T. the end Of their lives, he was
appointed. without his solicitation OF knowl-
edge. Secretary of the then recently organ
ized Territory Of tab BY appointment Of
Gov Fairbanks he was d member Of the
famous Peace Conference, which assembled
Al Washington. lust before the WAT, by il
vitatiou oc the STATE of Virginia. his associ-
atss being ex-Gov Hiland Hall. Hon. Levi
Underwood. Gen. Il H. Baxter and Hon
l. l. Chittendeu At the breaking ont Of
the Rebellion. M Harris was 9 member Of
our STATE Senate, and. a; a time when mill
t4-v matters absorbed almost the entire il
te-est OF legislation, was made chairman Of
Is Committee On Military Affairs, IN body
whose membership included such able and
practicei ce.slalors a. Asahel Peck John W.
Stewart. c " Willard Geo F Eimunds,
and Thomas E Powers Nj Harris Is
vel known throughou, the state as
man OF correct persona. habits,
Of sound mora. anl political pin
ciples whose influence j. always On the
be Ter SIDE. and v no Is endowed, witha.,
with such pronounced elements OF personal
independent of though; and sctiou as forbid
him ever o. hr q t.me-seryer or Z dema-
gogue HI- ability 70 fl the Office Of Gov
erl1r a. Nermont with cre1it to the safe
and honor to himself Will not be questioned,
am lis selection f5r that position by the
approaching SAFE Convention would bee
nomination ftta be made
We have known and esteemed Mr. harris
fJr many wears. and We have no question
taat he would wor,aily H. the chair gahsr-
natlra We believe That be has not
sought the Office, and mas aesirl;ea 70 per
nit the use y his name, hitherto.
The =. Adams Messenger which while
since seemed To favor Hon Z P Walton
certainly one Of IL best names as yer sug-
gestei for 6overn1r-now suggests another
eminent Montpelier gentleman a. follows
There are many in Vermont VINO are not
satisfied wiki any man Vet mentioned fo-
Governor There = 10 denying tnai there
Is neither enthusiasm f1r Joy genera. sane
Ton o.. any man proposed. Ihele i 3 de-
mand iJr man Who j. something besides
an accumulat0r Of wealth. or q Local poll
i.ciar. or al attache of some ring or Gran (
ccr OF Good Iemplar There Is 8 demand 1
tl- d hiEn and pure statssman-s man I
whose very name Is G synonym for poiiti- /.
-fi. nh offo
and reputation vii ad0ru the Office and /.
whose nomination would liz our politics I
IRON TIE mIre Of se4i-seeking Such man /
and conspicuous among a. such. j. the Hon. /
Charles W Willard, OF Montpelier Il i /
possible that his friends may Wish 70 hold I
tim Il reserve 10Y something else. and It i /
certain that whether they do or not be viii .
10; SO much as lift his finger f1r public /
flee tui D. there j. no higher honor II the /
ci.. li Vermont than the Goyernorship. and /
.s these times are peculiar and the capture
and degradation Of politics has emphasized /
tle necessity for marked and radical
change 10 Vermont, We would inquire when,
better than now, and how, better than 70
acceoe 10 the demand which We believe
can no sooner be proposed than 70 become
ezigent can Nr. W Hard serve the STATE
our high estimate Of Mr. Willard has been
To often expressed 70 make necessary any
la11red endorsement Of these words Of
praise. It Is an unexceptionabie name, and
VII carry weight 10 any assemblage Of
honest men where it i presented. In
ess some of all these good names are
the Convention viii have q
pretty large Us vel as first class list 70