Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1878-05-03

The Springfield Republican. in one oil ITS
recent scree1s on State politics in Vermont,
declares further that "subserviency to the
ruling railroad interests, rather than con-
spicuous fitness, has been too much the test
of Office holding" in this State. This is as
untrue as that the Office rarely seeks the
man in Vermont Governor Fairbanks has
no connection with what the Republican
calls "the ruling railroad interest" by which,
of course. it means the Central Vermont
Railroad interest and the railroad interest
with which be is connected is rival in
terest to the Central. Lieut.-Gov. Proctor
has no connection with, or subserviency to,
any railroad interest. Governor Peck, who
preceded Gov. Fairbanks, and Gov. Con-
verse who preceded Governor Peck were as
free from connection with or subserviency
to any railroad interest. Of our Congress
men. Mr.. Hendee's only railroad connection
Is with the Portland and Ogdensburg OF
which he has been counsel and this is a
rival interest to the Central. Col. Joyce
has never been railroad lawyer, we think,
and certainly has not been subservient to the
Central Mr. Denison's connection with
that or any railroad interest has been very
slight. and where he is known the sugges-
ton that he is owned by any such interest
would only excite laughter. We might 60
Al A. -, Staf With
the same result. The Republicans railroad
bug-a-boo in Vermont politics is hgment
of its own imagination. 1t cannot point to
thing in the recent history Of the State on
which to base it.
Yet on these farcical assertions of sub
serviency to Office seekers and to the rail-
roads, the Republican bases a call for re-
form in Vermont politics, coolly invites the |
independent voters to hold reform |
State convention, in this pleasant month |
of May. and suggests list OF
names for State and Congressional nomin-
atoms These are "ex-Congressman Will
lard. Frederick Billings, of Woodstock,
Lawyers E. j. Phelps. OF Burlington,
Davenport, of Brattleboro, and Gardner,
of Bennington" That such men as
these should Sc ignored by both par
ties, the Republican thinks very sad cir
cumstance But Mr.. Willard has not been |
altogether ignored. He has had three terms
in Congress, not so very long ago. Last
Fall he left home, in very feeble health, for
Colorado, and will not venture back to Yer
mont till June. Whether his impaired
health and strength will permit him
to render the public any further service, is,
we are sorry to say. question. That he is
not up for ofice in no case of Ignoring. The
same is true of Mr.. Phelps. He could at
almost any time have any quantity Of nom
nations from his own party if he would
accept them. lie has said he would take
the keeping of the Juniper light, il it were
rendered him, but no other Office, State or
Federal. 1t he had been Republican, Mr..
Phelpss abilities would Lave given him all
the political preferment he would accept.
But he is an out-and-out Democrat. He
was too good Democrat to vote for Horace
Greeley, and never voted a Republican
ticket TIE Republican owns the patent on
the idea that the Vermont Republicans
should have taken up man who has never
pretended to have the slightest faint, as he
would cali it, of Republicanism. But how
ZONES the Republican, which constantly as
,ails Hon. T. W. Park, of Bennington. as
swindier and corruptionist, to be propos-
ing for Office Mr.. Parks chief legal coun-
,ellor and warm and intimate personal
friend?
Mr.. Davenport and Mr.. Gardner are also
Democrats. But they, it is true, have some
claim to independence. for they find it
hard to work long with any party or any
person. If an "independent convention"
IAN be got together, they will be the bigger
part of it, and fit candidates for its nomina-
ions. But there are no independents" to
peak of in Vermont. The Republican i'm
lgines that there are plenty Of Liberal, SEN
sible Democrats who refuse to ally them
'elyes with their self-chosen and Bourbon
PARTY leaders. and on the other side many
If the best Republicans who are disguised
With the past party policy, which has allied
tself with the ruling railroad interests"
The Springfield Mentor is mistaken. There
$ not corporal's guard of Democrats in this
State who do not follow their Bourbon
,arty leaders. with absolute obedience; and |
here is, as all intelligent Vermonters see,
10 alliance of the Republican party with
ny railroad interests in this State. The
Republican is fooling itself and its readers.