Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1880-06-30
The State Convention.

Inere DelnB aDSoluJely no cOnuesJ tillS
year in respect to state officers, the nomin-
ating convention was not so fully attended
as it would have been had the field been
contested by rival candidates. But any lack
in numbers was more than made up in the
character of the delegates in attendance
for, as is usual in presidential years, the
older and wiser men of the party were out
in force. They, more than any other class,
recognize and appreciate the deep and last
ing Importance of the issues involved in the
canvass. The interest of the occasion was
largely heightened by the attendance of
Senator Edmunds and Messrs. Joyce and
Tyler of our congressman. General Ripley
made capital presiding officer, and acquit-
ted himself in manner which served to
confirm what one of the best possible judges
recently said of him-that he ranked among
the very ablest men in western Vermont, and
that he would yet give public demonstration
of the fact. The letters of Judge Poland
and Senator Morrill, will have an important
bearing upon the present national canvass
far beyond the bounds of our state
Colonel Farnham, the nominee for gov
ernor, is native of Boston, born in 1927.
Early in his boyhood his father removed to
Bradford, Vermont, where the son grew to
manhood on the farm, and fitted for college
at Bradford academy, graduating at the
University of Vermont with honor in 1919.
After two or three years spent as a teacher
in Canada and in Franklin, Vermont, Mr..
Farnham selected the law as his profession,
was admitted to the bar of Orange county,
and soon attracted notice as capable and
promising lawyer. He was states attorney
of Orange county for three years, from 1859
to 1861. On the outbreak of the war he was
one of the first to volunteer, and went out as
lieutenant of company d of the first Yer
mont regiment of three months men. He
returned with the regiment, only, like so
many of its members, to re-enter the service,
twelfth regiment. He served throughout
the term of enlistment of that regiment,
winning the sincere respect and attachment
of its officers and men. Colonel Farnham
served two terms in the state senate in
1S6S-69, and was an industrious and influ-
entail senator. In 1876 he was a delegate
to the Republican national convention at
Cincinnati, and was one of the presidential
electors in the same year. He has the high
est respect, esteem and confidence of all who
know him, and his deserved and wide pop
ularity is evidenced by his unanimous NOM
ination.
General John Lester Barstow, the NOM
inee for acknowledgements, is native of
Shelburn, in Chittenden county, born in
1882. He entered public life as an assistant
clerk of the Vermont house of representa-
tives in 1861. In 1862 he enlisted in the
eighth Vermont regiment, Colonel Stephen
Thomas, was at once promoted to the adju-
fancy of the regiment, then was made cap
tain of company X and then promoted to be
major. His military record was especially
creditable. He represented Shelburn in the
legislatures of lS64-65, rendering able SER
vice as chairman of the military committee.
In 1866 he was elected to the senate and re-
elected in '67, holding the craftsmanship of
the general committee and serving on i'm
portant special committees. He was subse-
quently United States pension agent for
nine years, disbursing large sums with alb
solute integrity and scrupulous care. As a
practical and successful farmer, he well rep
resents the great agricultural interests OF
our state. His well-earned reputation, ster
ling character and wide popularity practi
cally assured his nomination from the day
his name was suggested.
Treasurer John A. Page is quite too wei
known to the people of Vermont to need al
introduction, and their estimate of his long
and faithful services is best manifested BY
his unanimous denomination.
The selections for electors at large will b.
generally acceptable. Both General RIPPLE.
and General Lynde are prominent and re
spected citizens, staunch Republicans, trust.
and capable men.
On the whole it was an excellent day
work, and in the same line with the auspi
cious results at Chicago.