Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1876-04-21
The GOvernOrshIp.

The GOvernOrshIp.
he question as to who shall be tho next
Governor Of the State of Vermont is begin
ming to assume such proportions as will in
evitably demand for the subject, at an ear
ly day, the candid attention of thoughtful
voters throughout the State. As yet the mat
ter is decidedly an open one, and the gen.
eral public sentiment cannot fairly be said
to have begun TO centre about any one of
the numerous candidates who have been
suggested. In accordance with the custom
which has obtained on this point, the can
didate will this year como from the East
side OF the mountain, and the names of men
who have been mentioned in this connec-
ton are therefore residents of the section
thus indicated. Prominent among thos o
names have been those of Hon. Frederick
Billings of Woodstock, Hon. Horace Fair
banks OF st. Johnsbury, Hon. L. p. Wal
ton and Hon. c. w. Willard of Montpelier
any one of whom would, beyond all
doubt, acceptably fill the gubernatorial
chair. There is, or has been, in this vicin-
ity, strong feeling in favor of Mr.. Bill
lin IS, but his decisive letter of a month
ago has removed him entirely from the
field. We also learn, on good authority,
that Mr.. Fairbanks positively declines to
have his namo used in connection with
this office. Within day or two ii has been
still further announced that Mr.. Willard
declines being considered candidate.
What Mr.. Walton's wishes are we are not
informed, but it may fairly be questioned
whether he would care to come forth from
the quiet of his private life TO enter upon
the duties of the Governors Office.
And this leads Us to remark that it is uni
versally conceded 10 be the right OF Wind
ham County to furnish the Slate her next
Governor, If our citizens will untedly ac-
cept the opportunity-this concession aris-
ing from the fact that Wlndham County
has not for some years furnished candi-
date for any leading State or national office.
That such has been the case, however, has
not resulted from any lack of suitable ma
terial to meet the requirements Of import
ant offices, but because the county has fail
ed TO go into convention with a united
front for any of her citizens. Realizing
this condition of things the people of Wind
ham county have become moro aroused
during the past few weeks, on the Govern
or question, than at any previous time for
several years. The result has been the
bringing forward of the names of two well
known residents of this town as promi-
ent candidates for the gubernatorial chair
we refer 10 those of Hon. Jacob Estey
aud Hon. II. ID. Harris. Both these gentle.
men are SO well known, not only in this
section, but throughout the State, as to rem
der an extended mention at our hands
quite superfuous. Standing as he does, at
the head of the largest manufacturing con-
Germ of its kind in the world, few men are
better known TO the general public than is
Mr.. Estey, and none who are acquainted
with his history from his early youth TO
The present time can fail to admire those
ste Ring qualities of character which have
enabled him 10 overcome all obstacles and
10 achieve the success of bis later wears.
Educated, as he has been, by contact with
men and things, simple and democratic in
his tastes and habits, and with his integri-
ty unquestioned, ii cannot be doubled that
If elected Governor of Vermont, Mr.. Es.
tey's administration of State affairs would
be characterized by the same prudence and
energy that he manifests In the prosecution
OF his private business.
Mr.. Harris, too, although IN different
direction, is not less well known to the
people. From the days of his collegiate
and legal studies, and of his connection
with the press of this town, his lot has
been cast among the people OF Braltleboro.
In such Offices of trust as he has been called
upon to fill ho has shown himself compe-
tent and reliable, while his natural habit of
mind leads him 10 an intimate acauaint-
ance with the men and affairs of the world.
Mr.. Harris's business capacity has been
fully tested in his success as railroad con-
tractor, and, ready as he is, with tongue
ana pen, few men would better grace the
gubernatorial Office.
If either of these candidates should meet
such favor in this town and county as TO 90
into the State convention next June with a
strong or united list of delegates, he
wonld unquestionably receive unani-
nous nomination at the hands of the con-
yentlon. It's for the Republicans of Wind
nam S"""'J " ueSIuo lhis question. we
sincerely wish that tho matter might re-
ceive early and candid attention, that all
undue partisanship might be laid aside,
and, in the end, that such degree of unan-
imily might prevail as 10 ensure that, for
The next two years, VermOnrs Chief Mag
iStrate shall claim Brattletoro as his resi-
dence.