Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-05-10
Special Letter from Washington.

WAuiNaroS u. C., May 7, 1876
Msas Editors The last letter Of your cores
pondcnt Sol seems to call for q reply, in that
portion referring TO my previous letter upon presi-
dental candidates. Because honestly expressed
my belief that Mr. Blaine would better represent
the republicansim Of Vermont than MIR llristow,
"Sol undetermined TO have his say, that Bristow
is the better man, and that all comparisons are
odious' have never found II necessary to de
ride the good qualities Of one man, while showing
that some other man was far better than the first
While admitting that Mr. Bristow makes an ex-
cocnt secretary Of the treasury, whore he has
but to execute the laws 1t is not safe to infer that
he wosld make good President, to sit in indg-
ment upon the Lawmakers rs well rs the laws,
aud to recommend and approve Mt his will For
me, The best politician will make the best Presi-
dent No man is capable Of reforming govern
mcnt, who has not studied the science Of govern
mcnt. A President who has not a knowledge Of
political economy orwho is not inside and outside
politician, will surely become tho victim Of
politicians. II Mr. Blaine is the most successful
statesman and sllful politician Of our times be-
ing ever honest and faithful to his public trusts
he will In that same degree make the best Eepuhli
can President and will the best reform that ser
vice he so well understands
In these high essentials, / do not conccde, with
" Sol, that he has suporiors in Congress, or out
of Congress. An the assaults upon his public and
private acts, that have Of late been 50 industr-
orsy put forth with the venom and malice OF
partisan zeal, have so far fallen harmless at his
feet, and he grows brighter by such furnishing
This, too, Is an important element Of success with
Presidential candidate, aud the people Of the
whole country appear to conccdc this fact The
view taken by the Independent press should
have force ia this connection and the last issue Of
the New York Tribune, that can be claimed for no
candidate, gives a summary from all the state
conventions yet held, and the following is the es-
tImated strength Of each candidate Conkling,
seventy-uine. Blaine, one hundred and thirty
four BHstow, forty-cght. llarmnft fity-eght
Hayes, forty-iour; Morton, ninety; Jewell ten.
have recently met several prominent Rcpubli-
cans now employed Ia the treasury department
who claim 90 understand tho preferences Of the
clerks In that department. on the Presidential
question. and their opinion is, that about three
votes would there Dee given Tor Blaine 90 every one
for Bristow
The charge is made, but will not aiy how
truly lNAt scores OF late rebels are appointed ana
kept ia positions, by Mr. Bristow in his depart
mcnt, and his policy in that respect is often crit-
cised as being widely different from that 81 See.
Rotary Chandler This characteristics tact, can
youch for, that certain shade. Of Republicans are
found In line for or against Mr. Bnstow, ~ q
Presidential candidate Go upon our streets and
when you hear q man talking for Bri.toN as the
coming man, he Is almost sure 10 Dee o Bourbon on
a Negotiating Republican Bat very few Of that
[ class are partial TO Mr. Blaine
The impression seems very general that Mr.
/ Brstow is welding bis own official power for O.
nomination, and that this influence ha, been cs
| pccially potent Of late in New England
But word personal in reply to Sol bolon.
10 none OF the classes De names as the "bttores
enemies Of Mr. Bristow do not admit, oven
that am Dis enemy / was present and helped
rock the cradle Of the Republican party, but am
unable to remember that - II Brstow was stand
/ ing hy, in any capacity u De was, SO far re
/ spoct and honor him But 10 he ). such man ai
the reform Republicans Of Vermont should ml,
around iu this Presidential contest, 60 see lb
name associated with that of >aml j. Iiiacn. oi
Presidential ticket, by certain democratic jour
mails somewhat puzzles ErAprn