The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1878-05-16
VINO roR GOVERNOR

VINO ron GOVERNOR
The action Of the Republican State
Committee in calling the convention a
month earlier than usual brings us at
once TO the main question, who shall
be governorl Some weeks ago sew
eral influential state papers with sur
prisiBg unanimity echoed and re-echoed
the name Of Col. Proctor One would
naturally suppose, from this fact, that
the whole state was spontaneously ar
oused TO high pitch Of enthusiasm for
this candidate, bat such is not the case.
Col. Proctor is not the man TO go wild
over. IL we have q correct estimate Of
him he ~ cool, clear headed, rather
sharp and an unsympathetic man. He
has good head for business but very
little heart for the masses. If elected
he will bring TO the Office good execu-
tive ability.
Until quite recently no other candi-
date has made any organized effort to
oppose him and the probabilities have
been that he will carry the conven-
tion unless his prospects are in
jured by over zealoGs friends The
masses in Vermont are very jealous Of
any forcing process. They think them
selves abundantly able to select can
didate for governor and if they get An
idea that man is making undue effort
for the place that candidate may as well
decide TO content himself with private
life while longer.
Now 1t looks to US as though there
was considerable Of the forcing process
in the way that the canvass has thus
far been managed by Col. Proctor's
friends. and II they are wise they will
drop it at once. In the manner In which
his name was first brought forward, in
the time Of holding the convention. and
in the strained attempts at showing up
his good qualities, we see the evidences
of the hot bed process. The caucus 10
Cavendish was called as soon as pos
sible ard the result paraded in a hall
column article in the papers to show
that he could carry bis native town
In order to gain sympathy for him it is
even claimed by some Of the papers
that bis military career has been at
tackled, aud that his business integrity
has been assailed when nobody OF any
character or standing has thought Of
calling either 10 question.
Col Proctor may not be TO blame for
all this, We sincerely hope he Is not,
bat shrewd observer would naturally
suppose that there are some weak
points since so much guarding is need
ed. A good record is the best defense;
and one might think that Vermont may
have better soldiers and larger hearted
business men than Col. Proctor by
reading these newspaper defenses, es
pecially When none are called for. We
have always understood that his record
as soldier was good one. although
circumstances never placed him in any
position where there could be any
special display Of valor. Neither have
We heard bis business capacity and 10.
legrity assaulted, although we have
heard Il said that Sutherland Falls,
where bis marble works are situated, il
The oaly place 10 tie world where good
marble. unlimited water power aud rail-
road facilities are combined aud that
this happy combination Of circnmstan.
ees had something to do with the pros.
perity Of the company. Col. Proctor
Is no, 70 blame Tor this either. but !.
rather 20 be commended for having the
sbrewdness aud tact 10 take advantage
Of il II elected governor be may BE-
able 10 utilize some cheap power fer
running the wheels Of state and thus
save The friction and expense Of the old
method II The people we're assured
hat be could DO this be would have !
pretty unanimous vote 10 The couyea,
tion.
Col. Geo. A. Merrill who Is opposing
Proctor Is also Rutland man. and Sa.
perintsndsnt Of the Howe Scale Works.
lie wAs iermeriy superintendent Of tbs
PAssumpsic railroad and more recently