Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1880-03-26
vermont's Vote at Chicago.

Ex-Governor John W. Stewart of Yer
mont, who is delegate-at-large from thai
State to the Chicago Convention. was callet
on last evening at the Buckingham hotel by
Tribune reporter, and asked for his view:
upon the course which the Vermont delega
ton would pursue. Mr.. Stewart explained
that he had not been much in Vermont dur.
ing the last year, having spent considerable
time here and in Washington, and he had
not conferred with any of the other delegates
to 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 resolution adopted ut our conven-
tion," said Mr.. Stewart, ''the delegation will
cast Its first vote at Chicago for Mr.. Ed
munds."
"What course will tLen be pursued:' was
asked.
THAT will depend upon circumstances. p"
said ex-Gov. Stewart. Our delegation goes
to Chicago entirely uncommitted or un-
pledged, and after expressing itself in favor
of Senator Edmunds will guide its further
action by what seems to be the best for the
party. 1t will give its aid, small though it
" tnC man WIN, tOhsiuCiSup
seems to be the best one for the place
That the delegation is uninstructed l be-
lieve TO be perfectly proper, for | hold
now, and have always said. that to bind
the action of delegates by rigid instructions
is to defeat the very end for which they are
selected The right thing to do and the
proper man TO select for candidate can only
be decided upon after reaching the field Of
action and comparison of views hes been
made. Ncrmonts record is on the side Of
right, and whatever influence she may have
will be exerted ut this time in that direc-
tlon."
''Do you think the strength of Senator
Edmunds as Presidential candidate has been
underestimate ?"
''He is too late in the field to have as yet
much prestige as candidate or numerous
following, but circumstances may combine
10 place him more prominently before the
party. There are delegates to Chicago who
may, when the time comes, show very de-
cided opposition both to Grant and Blaine.
and in that event a selection of Senator Ed
munds might result. He is certainly emn-
emily fitted for the office, and there would
not be the opposition at large to him, in the
event of his candidacy, that either Grant or
Blaine might provoke. was informed re-
Gently in Washington. by representative
man of Michigan, that he would not be at all
surprised if the delegation from that State
cast its first vote in the convention for Ed
munds.
II think, also, from personal observation
and conversations have had with residents
of Connecticut, that her delegation will prob
ably cast its first vote for Edmunds Should
this prove true, the Senator from Vermont
may hold the balance of power AS a mat
ter of the highest expediency at this juno
ture, however, believe that the nominee at
Chicago should be selected according to the
wishes expressed by the State of New York,
this struggle. The necessity of selecting u
candidate who can lead the Republican hosts
TO victory in this campaign is a fact that will
not be disputed"
What is the relative strength of Grant
and Blaine in Vermont, Mr. Stewart z"
Il hardly know. but believe that their sup
porters are quite evenly divided. The Green
Mountain Range, you know, divides the
State. Well, East OF it the Blaine element
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 he cannot get n nomination by
have upon the choice of the
THAT would depend upon the ability of
The managers Of the Grant wing to hold their
voters together. OF course, if they could be
held together they would carry the day for
the candidate they supported. IN. Y. 7ri-
June ofa1e 10Th