Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1876-06-16
FREE PRESS. FRIDAY i
The Governor Question.

Inc Cdiedonidn having suggested tnat
"Mr. Estey is run by Mr.. Davenport, as un-
scrupulous demagogue as there is in the
Democratic party of Vermont" the Brat
tleboro Record replied that the only excuse
for the charge was "the fact that Charles n.
Davenport, ESD, has been for some time
the attorney of Mr. Estey in certain impor-
tant suits" To this the Caledonion rejoins
Not at all The Caledonian' S objection to
Mr.. Estey is not because Mr.. Davenport Is
attorney for him in certain important suits.
1t is because Mr.. Davenport is acting chief
fugler and manager of MIR. Estey in his
aspirations for the Governorship. This Office
Of Mr.. Davenport is well understood, and it
will be noticed that Mr.. Estey's friends do
not deny it. 1t is understood that Mr..
Davenport is the author of the somewhat
famous Woodstock letter in the Springfield
Republican, dated May s, of which the fol-
lowing is but an extract;
The man now most talked about among those
who don't attend and conventions, IS Jacob
Estey, of Brattleboro. he is popular among the
men 0. conscience and principle, but weak among
the politicians. So far we know. the men whose
business it is TO tx things are all opposed 10 the
deacon. The Central Vermont ring has
not brought forward its candidate. Its principal
henchman and political striker, 10 ID. Hatch. is
hold the $50 retainers anu free passes, and giving
them the needful instruction. Probably its candi-
date for Governor will be Dr.: George Nichols, of
Mortified. Possibly, if Uncle Luke Doesn't get the
nomination for vice-President, he may consent To
serve John Gregory Smith. as Governor, with the
same fidelity he did as chancellor. AT any rate
the people won't have much to do, except to rat
ify the nomination OF Smiths candid ate, whoever
he may be.
Such statements a. are contained in the
above are ridiculous enough to have come
from some sore-headed Republican but
when one considers that they emanate from
the boss Democrat of that part of the State,
ami so evidently in the Estey interest, is it
any wonder that the Republicans of the
State declare that they do not want a Gov
ernor who has such manager? And as to
the facts in the above extracts: DO d.
Hatch is now riding over the state, consult
ing the men," etc. We have not known
Of Mr.. Hatch being in this part of the State
at all, but two men have already been here
in the interests of Mr.. Estey, and one of
these two IS Mr.. Davenport business part
ner. Asw have said before, we do not find
fault with Mr. Esteys Disqualification for
the Office Of Governor, which so many of the
State papers have pointed out, and perhaps
exaggerated. but we believe his relations
with Mr.. Davenport, and the latter's efforts
in his behalf, should be fatal to his nOmina-
ton.
We have very good opinion Of Deacon
Estey personally; and We have counte-
nanced none of the personal detracton of
him, in which some of the Vermont papers
have INDUCED. But inquest ionably very
serious objection to Mr.. Estey is the charac-
tor of many of the men who are fixing
things for HIM. Some of them certainly
are men who would not be at work for him
il he had not plenty Of money, and men
whose support ought to damage any man to
whom it is given. Thus the most active
Estey man in this region We understand to be
Capt. L. II. Start and We have heard Of
him in Lamoille county and elsewhere " fix
ing things for Deacon Estey We hear
of the same kind of elements elsewhere en-
listed for Mr.. Estey Quite likely the
deacon-whom We believe to be respectable |
and honest man-dOes not know the charac-
ter Of some Of his political agents; but he |
ought to know them and there Is certainly |
room for the apprehension that the men who
manage his canvass, would manage the |
Governor, if he should be elected What
sort of an administration that would give Us,
can be imagined
The Newport Express and Standard
says:
There l. a growing feeling toward the
reelection of Gov. Peck and it would be no
very injudieious act either lie has made an
excellent executive and has proved himself
possessed of good back bone. with a clear
head enabling him to see quite through at
tempts Of designing men to inveigle him into
their pet schemes. There is only one reason
we should urge against his reelection. and
that Is the departure from the custom 80 long
the two years term. lie has been
equally served with MS predecessors, for years
and years back, and with the number Of good
men waiting for his place it Is hardly fair to
re-elect him. Yet, should the good sense Of
the Convention 50 decide, we should most
aequiesce. We believe III finding
! man who has not sought the Office, anu
who has not sent out his minion> to can ,
'ass the State and arrange the details OF
The campaign.