Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1878-05-10
Third District Politics.

To the Editor of the Free Press and Times.
1t seems evident that concerted demon
stration was made, last week, in the inter-
| est Of certain man in this District. for
Congressional hOnors. An editorial in the
Ludlow Tribune a letter to the Spring field
Republican. an editorial in the St. Albans
Messenger, and a letter to your paper, ap-
peared at about the same time; all alike
in general frame, and each arriving
at one conclusion. viz: that Ger
tain man was the only proper person to
represent this District at this time. The
language of the articles in question shows
conclusively that they were either all
penned by one hand. or at least emanated
from concerted source. The similarity of
disposing Of the several names which have
been mentioned as possible candidates, is
especially noticeable /; notably so. the pat
ting of Gen. Grout upon the back, and
holding out a brilliant future to him,
which, of course, every bo iy knows, means
nothing but to get him temporarily out OF
the way of that other man.
While one of the articles seems literally
inclined toward one of the several gentle
men whose names have been mentioned as
possible candidates, and delicately brushes
them aside without mentioning their names
in this connection, as an act of kindness, it
cannot be doubted that the writer was
we'll aware thar, through another source,
each name would be treared separately, and,
II thought necessary, unfairly.
Hon. George N. Dale is disposed of BY
being held up as an aspirant for Governor,
or Congressman, and his habits questioned
in such way as is entirely unwarranted,
unless backed By uDcontrovertble proof.
Mr.. Dale is man whose eminent ability
will be recognized throug hout the State, and
who would make his mark should he be
elected to Congress. Ii seems unfair, at
least to make the allusion to him referred
to. and especially so in view of the fact that
be Is making no effort in his own behalf,
and as there is nothing thus lar to show
that his friends intend to make him a can
didate.
Hon Jed p. Ladd is called very nice
man, but an iDtmatiOn made that he is not
sound upon the currency question, wanting
in experience, culture and calibre, and that
there Is nothing in his standing as citizen
to warrant his nomination to Congress.
apprehend it may be truly said of Mr. Ladd,
that he has u Statewide reputation for
ability; he has had the experience of
two terms as State Senator, and four
years as member of the House. Prob
ably no man stood higher in the
estimation of the last Legislature than he
did, and his course was so independent,
consistent and Judlci0us as to attract atten
tiOn and approval throughout the State: as
citizen and socially he is the peer of any
man in the State. He is charged with bav-
ing been merchant and farmer. | Under
stand that he was successful merchant,
some twenty years ago, and that while fol-
lowing that business he devoted his leisure
assiduorsly to the study of law, which he
has been practcing successfully for about
twenty years. On the currency question he
is firm advocate Ofs specie basis, for gold |
and silver coin that are worth their face
valre the world over. As to bis culture,
be makes no pretensiOns, but has one of the |
largest private libraries in the State. But |
| understand he is not candidate for Con- |
gress, and has uniformly requested friends |
who have, both in and outside of his own |
county, urged his candidacy. to make no |
demonstration in his behalf.
Rev. o. q. Wheeler is shp filed out OF the |
way as man of good intentions. but of too |
shallow depth to be practicable. In fact, |
he Is set down as an enthusiast, entitled to |
no consideration Ii remember correctly,
Mr.. Wheeler held high rank as legislator
during the terms he was Senator and Rep |
resentatiye, and 1t seems rash and injudi-
cious to attack him in this way, at this
time. and especially in view of his having
so recently. in published letter, declared
L.. r - 4
Hendee.
Hon. E. A. Sowles. Of St. Albans, is
barely noticed as being named, and set down
as not being likely to obtain any consider
able support in his own county, or outside
Of it. Possibly this may be 50 but if We
correctly. about the same asser-
tiOns were made In Reference to Ar Sowles
In the senatorial CANVASS 10 franklin county
in 1876. First, it was claimed that he
could not br nominated as one Of the Sena
tors, and after he was nominated. that his
unpnpularity WAS such that be would be
defeated at the polls. Yet the election proved
him to be extremely popular, a. he was
elected by an 0ver9 helming majority, not
with>tandins the whole railroad influence
Was brought To bear against HIN. | un-
terstand, though hot irrm himself, that Mr..
Sowl,s Is u Candidate with II prospect of
huCu III Tue
Senator Edmund> Is charge with standing
in the way Of the political advancement ..
everybody in Chitfenden county, nut it is
evident from the cljse of the article In ques-
ton. thai the writer was quite willing tO use
the Honorable Senator name to sacrifice the
- prompt, fearless and astute BaTstuw or
President Buckham, with his clear head,
ripe scholarship and keen wit or Hon.
John l., Mason, whom he SAID was - GER
tainly worthy OF the notice Of the public;'
Dr any other person In Chittenden county
" no was likely 10 stand In the way Of his
pet candidate.
Now, Mr.. Editor | think that it is ap.
parent upon the lace OF this movement, that
it was precOncerted and arranged one in
tho interest OF u man who has no special
claim upon the voters OF the Third Con-
srcssional District Tor the successinn OF
Gov. Hendee. and it seems To M more pro-
per that the people should select their own
ior Important Positions, than to
allow men by Improper neaus To toist
themselves upon the people AS ''the people'I
choice" Does any one suppose that II the
people OF Chlttenden county, or Ot this DIS
.rict, were to 20 To the polls tO-mUrrUw and
TUte for the man ut their choice for the next
Congressman, that the man in question
would receive one vote in twenty? | have
40 idea that he would, and il | AN correct
The place TO meet this question is at
The primary meetings. We should see 70
t that delegates are elected who will
syor no mans nomination unless he is
competent. Of good morals, and
habits, and entirely sound upon the hnan-
,ial question. Such man should be our
next representative, without references to
lis locality. Chittenden county has fifty
men that would mach more crcditably rep
'esent the sentiments and character of the
Inhabitants OF the District. than the one in
y hose favor the demonstration referred 70
las been made; and every other county in
he district has more or less such men. and
t is absurd to claim that because Senator
Edmunds's residence, when he was elected.
vas in Chittenden county. that all other
residents of the county are thereby debarreo
rom being considered as candidates for
'fhce.
The question is not the locality but the
nan. VOTER.
--, April 29th.
From the st. Albsns Advertiser.
The Third District.