Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-05-29

place among the wisest and best
EBEN PoMERoY CoLToN, the nominee for
Lieutenant Governor, was born at West
Fairlee, Orange county, Vermont, in the
year 1928, and is, therefore, now fifty years
of age. His father, John Cotton, removed
from that place to Irasburgh, Orleans county,
in 1871, where the subject of this sketch
has since resided. Though bred farmer
and mechanic, which occupations he has
ever followed, he has acquired such famil-
iarity with general business affairs, and de
veloped judgment so discriminating and
sound, as to give him commanding posi-
ton for respect and influence, which is by
no means confined to the limits of Orleans
county While lacking the advantages Of a
liberal education, Mr.. Cotton has spared no
pains to make amends by such solid acquire
ments as are far more useful in practical
life than mere classical attainments. 1t is
said of him that few of the professionals can
surpass him in knowledge Of mineralogy.
Mr. Cotton represented the town of Iras-
burgh in the legislature of 1859 and 1860,
and again in 1876. He also represented the
county in the Senate from 1870 to 1874. In
his legislative work he was faithful, judicious
and conscientious, and won the confidence
and esteem of all his associates. In the man
agement of some matters especially affecting
the locality in which he resided he is said
to have exhibited unusual ability and skill,
but all held in strict subsection to fair and
equitable dealing.
Mr.. Cotton has for several years been
prominently connected with the Farmers
movement, and has attended sessions of the
National Grange at st. Louis, Mo-, Charles
ton, S. c., and Louisville, KY, and has thus
become familiar with the country and its
industries, both South and West. II should
also be said, to the credit of our nominee,
that he has been consistent friend and adj
vocate of temperance through life--has been
a staunch Republican ever since the organi-
cation of the party, and in his vicinity is
highly esteemed as courteous, impartial
and expeditions presiding officer.
JoHN ALFRED PAGE, our candidate for
State Treasurer, was born in Haverhill,
N. H., in 1914. His father, the Hon. John
Page, was lifelong farmer, was for three
years Governor of New Hampshire, aud also
United States Senator from that state. John
Alfred, after completing his education at
the old IIaverhill academy and serving the
years of his minority as clerk in store, first
at llaverhill and then at Portland, Me-, with
two or three years of mercantile business on
his own account, in 1887 he entered Grafton
bank, at his native place, as cashier. After
the expiration of its charter, in 1914, he en-
at Danville, in this state, where he remained
until November, 1913, when he was induced
to assume the care of the finances of the
Passumpsic railroad. The duties becoming
too onerous, in the spring of 1919 he re-
signed that position, and accepted the cash
iership of the Vermont Bank, at Montpelier,
just then organized. With the closing of
this bank, in 1865, he assumed the Presi-
ueucy Ol Jne l. HSl NdIloHdl DdUh Vi NiOlG
pelier, which position he still holds.
In 1858 Mr.. Page was elected by the legis-
lature to the Office of State Treasurer, and
was succeeded in that office-frst, by Henry
NJ. Bates, for six years, and then by John
b. Page, for the same length of time. He
was again elected to the office, by the people,
in 1866, and has since been retained, by sue
cessive elections.
OF Mr.. Pages special qualifications for
the position which he has so long held we
have no need to speak. BY his wise admin
istration of our financial affairs our proud
little state is now substantially out of debt,
and a career of prosperity is opened before
us, limited only by the degree of industry,
economy and virtue which shall prevail
among our people.