Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1880-03-24
Vermont at Chicago.

Ex-Governor John w. Stewart, one of our
delegates-atlarge to the Chicago convention
was recently interviewed in New York by a
Tribune reporter, and though we take such
things usually with liberal discount, we can
well imagine that the governor said sub
stantially what is imputed TO him.
Mr.. Stewart explained that he had not been
much in Vermont during the last year, having
spent considerable time here and In Washington,
and he had not conferred with any Of the other
delegates tn Chicago, either before or after the
state convention, but he felt sure that the choice
OF the majority Of the Vermont delegates for the
candidate for the presidency would be Senator
Edmunds And in accordance with the resolu-
ton adopted at our convention" said Mr. Stew
art, the delegation will cast Its first vote at Chi
cago for Mr.. Edmunds."
"What course will then be pursued p was
asked
"rhat will depend upon circumstances" said
Ex-Governor Stewart "Onr delegation goes To
Chicago entirely uncommitted or nnpiedged, and
after expressing itself In favor Of Senator Ed
munds will guide it's further action by what seems
to be the best for the party. It will give It's aid
small though II DO, to the man who, all things
considered, seems to be the best for the place
That the delegation is uninstructed believe IN be
perfectly proper for hold now. and have ALWAYS
said, that to bind the action of delegates by rigid
they are selected. The right thing to do and the
proper man TO select for candidate can only he
decided upon after reaching the field OF action
and comparison OF views has been made. Yer
monts record Is on the side OF right, and what
ever influence she may have will be exerted at
this time In that direction"
Do you think the strength Of Senator Ed
minds as presidential candidate has been I'M
derestimated p
lie is too late in the field to have as yet much
prestige as candidate or numerous following,
hut circumstances NAV combine to pl zee him more
prominently before the party. There are dele
show very decided opposition both TO Grant and
blaine, and In that event selection OF Senator
Edmunds might result. He Is certainly eminently
fitted for the office, aud there would not be the
opposition Mt large 10 him. In the event OF his
candidacy. that Grant or Blaine might provoke
] was informed recently In Washington, by n
representative man Of Michigan, that he would
not be at all surprised II the delegation from that
state cast Its first vote in the convention for Ed
munds.
81 think, also, from personal observation and
conversations have had with residents Of Con-
necticut, that her delegation will probably cast
Its first vote for Edmunds Should this prove true
the senator from Vermont may hold the balance
OF power. As n matter OF the highest expediency
at this juncture, however, | believe that the
nominee at Chicago should be selected according
to the wishes expressed by the state Of New York,
which il unqnestionably the battlefield In this
struggle The necessity Of selecting a candidate
who can lead the Republican hosts to victory in
THIS campaign IL fact that will not be disput d.
what is the relative strength Of Grant and
Blaine in Vermont, Mr. Stewart o.
81 hardly know, but believe that their support
ers are quite evenly divided. The Green Noun
tain range, you know, divides the state. Well,
east OF It the Blaine element predomnates, and to
the west Grant has the greater strength"
What effect would the withdrawal of Grant
at the last moment owing to the fact that he sees
ne cannot get nomination by acclamttion, have
upon the choice Of the convention p
That would depend upon the ability of the
managers OF the Grant wing to hold their voters
together. OF course, IL they could be held to-
gether they would carry the day for the candidate
they supported"