Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1876-01-14
City Politics,

IL Is less than two months to city election
ana time for our citizens who do not intent
10 leave the arrangement of everything en-.
'ireiy to the professional politicians, to b.
taking up things and laying out theil
course. Of course many Republicans are
already asking how much longer the city
must be burdened with a reckless and ex-
pensivc Democratic city government. The
answer to the question depends upon the
Republicans of Burlington. The Demo
cratic victories OF the last two years have
been the work OF Republicans. There was
clear Republican majority in this city, in
March, 1874. when Mr.. Barnes, the Repub-
iiean nominee for Mayor, was defeated by
the votes OF Republicans. There was an
equally clear Republican majority, in the
city, IN the fall of that year The canvass.
as our readers remember was not altogether
neglected. Senator Eimunds was here. 1t
was OF some consequence to him. as a mem
Der OF the Republican party of Burlington.
and candidate for reelection to the L. S.
Senate, to have the city represented by a
republican. lie took active personal con-
troll OF the canvass, on the Republican side.
and he was actively seconded by many
prominent and trusty members Of the party.
The excuse of some, that they do
not like to see party lines drawn
very closely on city election if voted in
the Spring had no bearing in the fall. live
ever draw party lines, it is on the election
OF a representative to the Legislature
But Mr.. Smalley, Democrat, was elected
representative by IS majority, by the votes
OF prOfessed Republicans. The election of
a Democratic Mayor and Board of Alder
men, last spring, followed almost as a mat
ter OF course-though there was still
stronger Republican majority in the city,
Tor hundred and fifty Democratic voters
had left town. But good many square
Republicans had got little tired of going
into caucus with men who proposed to
make the ticket, if they could, and to ruin
1t ii they did not have the making Of it.
or who were already bound by secret
trade to vote for the Democratic nominee.
And prominent Republicans naturally felt
unwilling to be set up as candidates. only
to be knitted and knocked down by men of
their own party. So the Democrats carried
the city again, high and dry.
There Is to-day still stronger Republican
majority in our city " neither it is strong
enough to override both the Democratic
and lAmmany Republican vote, if again
thrown together, We cannot say. If not.
Republican success will depend on
the course of the Republicans whe
have engineered our last three defeats
and their course will probably depend on
what kind of offers the Democrats are dis
posed to make to them. The Democrats,
knowing their weakness, are anxious TO
trade again and they probably will fee
that they can afford to bid pretty high for
Republican help. We regret the past de-
moralized condition of our party here We
did our best 10 prevent it but there Is
nothing to be gained by shutting our eyes
10 ii. Perhaps our Tlmmany Repu blicans
intend to pull true, for once, this time.
Whether they do or not, they will undoubt-
edly be greatly Mortified at our plainuessof
speech. We shall hear again. no doubt, as
We have heard before. men who voted the
Democratic ticket or if they did not them
selves vote with the Democrats, who gave
to the Democrats every other vote they
could influence, complaining loudly OF
square and true Republicans. for giving
aid to the enemy. Our Tammany Republi-
cans are among our most ardent Republi-
cans, in word
But perhaps. as We have said, we shall
have no Tammany Republicans, this year.
Perhaps. also. our square and true and
longsufering Republican voters will con
sent. in this Centennial year, to forget the
past-will pull together. once more, and
with a will-wiil pat ap the best men they
can get, and vote them IN. il they can. Per
haps We can get some good men to accept
Republican nominations II 50, the Repub-
licans can again take control of our city
government. Is it too much of an If" to
hope for Our columns are open for res
pOnses.
GOSPEL MEETINGS are appointed to be
held a. follows Ludlow, Jan. llth to the