Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1880-02-27

HE PHOENIX stands squarely by what it
said last week on the caucus question: That
the mass of respectable and substantial voters
have no reason to complain of what is done
in caucus if they stay at home and leave
the few, who do attend, to manage or mis-
manage as they please. If the Republicans
of Brattleboro had been fairly represented in
the caucus last Saturday evening there would
have been no such disgraccful scene enacted
as the voting down, under the lead of one or
two personal enemies, Of a man like Col.
Haskins, when he was suggested as a delegate
to Montpelier. This action was one of the
lowest and most contemplate pieces of DO
litical work ever attempted in Brattleboro,
and is of class which has been introduced
and attempted here so far as our knowledge
extends only within the past few years. We
may add that it is precisely of the class which
we took occasion TO sharply rebuke in the
canvass of four years ago. We do not always
agree with Col. Haskins we expect to disa-
gree with him in the future but as an out
andout, reliable and efficient Republican
worker, he is the equal of any man in town.
and was competent to have been sent to
Montpelier as the peer Of any one of the sew
en- selected If it is the plan Of any ring or
individual to manage our local canvass of
1850 after the fashion which was initiated
last Saturday evening, we give fair warning
we shall make the best fight against it we
know how. Let US, however, distribute the
blame as it belongs and say that, with the
hall entirely innocent of fire. the crowd wait
ing for man to unlock the door, and then,
once inside with knot of men huddled in
one corner, under one or two lonesome gas
lights, and in an air and temperature like that
of tomb, it is no wonder that there was so
little disposition to come in and take part
iii the proceedings. Where were the town
committee, that no suitable preparation for
the meeting was made:
One might almost think, sometimes, that
Brattleboro is quite destitute of men who are
known all over the State, and have an nc.
knowledged standing in political circles
How would it do, for once, to follow the ex-
ample of Rutland, Burlington and st. Adams
and make up list which should include
names like those of ex-Gov. Holbrook. whose
name is known and respected throughout the
D'"'N AAOn' peOlBc hOWc, WHO mas been
member of the State Senate and was dele
gate to the last National Republican conven-
ton; Hon. b. d. Harris, who has held re-
sponsible official positions; Hon. Jacob Es- |
tey, an ex-member of the State Senate; Col.
5. NJ. Waite, who is known and held in es- |
teen by the leading men in the State DR..
Holton, who enjoys a wide acquaintance,
both in and out of his profession Edward |
Crosby, with his wide and influential bust |
ness connections: Capt. r. w. Clark. Col.
Haskins, and Gen. w w. Lynde, who
though not long resident of Brattleboro. vet
knows thing or two about Vermont politics
The list might be prolonged, but we name
these gentlemen as examples. We do not
complain that good and competent men were
not chosen Saturday night. We do not urge
or believe that matters of party nomination
or management should be lodged in the hands
of skilled political managers like those we
have named, but on an occasion like this we
believe that any of these gentlemen could
have been trusted to throw their unquestion
ed influence in favor of Senator Edmunds.
and to have made themselves felt as repre-.
sentative Brattleboro men. Shall we ever
reach the day when we can drop personal,
clique, or ring feeling long enough, upon oc-
casion, to make use of the best We have with
out reference to whose man this or that
delegate or representative may be,