Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1876-06-02


From the St. Albans Messenger, Maya.
For some weeks past the papers and poll
ticians # this Congressional District have
been canvassing the successorship OF Gov.
Hendee in the House. It became under
stood that he would accept the nomination
for reelection if rendered by the Republi-
| can Convention, and the feeling was quite
general in the western and central portions
of the District that, other things being
equal. he should have the same courtesy
that was extended to bis immediate predeces-
sors Over east, the friends of Hon. George
N. Dale urged that gentleman's pomina-
ton until he saw mention" in the press.
and then he publicly declined the proposed
honor.
Gen. VIM. ". Grout. of Barton, was the
most prominent candidate against Gov.
Hendee, and by reason of his being a good
lawyer. an experienced and leading member
of the Legislature, an active worker IN
politics and a pleasant gentleman, there
was reason to think that he would have
strong following, and that in the end the
| various elements of opposition to MIR. Hem
dee would unite upon him. There Is no
doubt but that the advocacy of his inter-
ests sometimes took the form OF disparage-
ment OF Mr. Icndee, and tended TO create
an impression among those who did not
| know 10 the contrary that the latter had
not been sufficiently conspicuous and useful
| as q member. But Gen. CrOut Is a man OF
| discerument, and be must have seen that
| the effect of that effort on the part OF some
of his friends would likely be a recOil. for
thepeople have not been watching the pres
ent exciting session of Congress without
discovering Mr.. IIendse's fidelity, influence
and growing popularity. Besides. the
| General is man who, the views of his per-
sonal enemies to the contrary notwithstand-
| ing, does not consider that political sue
| cess Is the most there Is vi lltc, and, fur-
thermore he has not reached that point OF
political desperation, either in years or ell
forts, when men conclude that now or
never is their time and this or none"
| their opportunity. Some weeks ago, In
writing OF the subject IN p personal friend,
he ayowed his comparative Indifference. He
was perfectly willing to wait, or perfectly
willing 10 be left out entirely; he did not
| consider an election to Congress essential to
| his happiness and he has said he had come
to that time in his life when he began 10
see what shadows we are and what shad-
ows we pursue" This is credtable and
praiseworthy, and now we have the best
authority for stating that he has deter
mined to lave nothing TO DO with the con-
| test.
An effort more or less formidable, bet too
| indefinite TO be judged yet, is now being
made in vari0ns quarters TO make the Hon.
| f. p Cotton, of lrasburgh, candidate.
| Whether it has his assent or not. we are not
! informed bot judging from his personal as
surance Of some months ago. it has not,
unless be has changed his mind. Some are
urging his candidacy because he is master
| ~ i-rar nd hot -
strongest reason why he has hitherto been
unwilling 10 listen to 1t. Some others urge
| II because be is a man Of sense, of right
| principles, OF correct views on public ques-
tiors, and Of such close identity with the
toiling masses as to possess especial quail
| icatlons for the position. but the same may
| be said Of scores of others in the district who
| have never been thought of for Congress,
and above whom Mr.. Cotton Is conspicuous
IN no respect save in disposition at the head
| of the State Grange. Some Others support
him because they are willing to support
''any body 70 beat Hendee.' We give Mr..
| Cotton credit for too much sense 10 allow
himself to become the leader of disappOint-
ed applicants for pOstofiees and other
! gifts OF patronage, and for too much loyalty
| to the principles of his order to allow 1t 10
| become antagonized and weakened by
political contest.
To men Of correct and experienced politi-
cal apprehension. the field has steadily
been clearing for Mr. Hendee's unanimous
nomination, and we believe it would be
deplJrabie mistake to leave him at home
just at the time when he has become Of 50
much use to his constituency and his cOun-
try. Ii always requires time tor member
to take his bearing and learn the methods
of Congress. II he speaks or acts before be
has acquired the requisite knowledge or
standing. We generally have occasion to
blush for him. Those Of our people who
have been 10 Washington know that Mr..
Ilendee l. a very popular and influential
man in the House The district papers
rank him With the prominent members.
When he speaks lie enjoys that rare success
OF members, the attention Of the House.
" nat be has to say is m2tarely considered
AID well SAID. and instead Of his speeches
being followed by the dersiOn of scholars,
they are complimented bv bis fellow mem
beis AMI ty the press. ior their square, good
sense and well exertoi strength lie has
been ais, n; during the entire session only
three or four times. and then IN account of
illness. la the committee room land that
is where the real work of legislation Is per-
f0rmed) ho Is an uutIring tDiler As a
member of the committee investigating the
beard of audit, whose inquiries involved
the probing Of all the fraudulent improve
ment' contracts under the District Govern
ment be has been as alert as a prosecuting
attorney, and We discover by gong through |
tho yolumInous evidence tina. he has asked |
scores Of questions that have puuc;ured tine |
bubbles and made him an object OF hatred |
among the thieves. All this. Of course, is |
work which does not make noise abroad |
and Is seen by only comparative few of |
his constituents, but 1t Is important work, |
nevertheless. Then. too, in the matter Of |
attending to the wants OF his constituents,
IN the departments, no member Of Vermont
has ever been more obliging, prompt and
successful. Of course 1t has not been IN
his power to divide single postoffce or
c0n-ulsaIp among two or three applicants,
but So far a. We know, bis patronage has
been dispensed with Judgment. with an eye
single 20 the public good, and, while I'M
eyoidablY making few enemies. who are
now. of course, actively engaged against
him. has commanded the approval of large
majJritits Of those whose interests were IN
VOWED. For these reasons-and it is now
only common justice 10 set them forth-we
bs.Ieve that the Third District will. and
should. invite Mr. uendee TO be his own sue
cessor. and that he will then remain, as he
stands now. at the head Of the
delegation from Vermont.