The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1880-03-26
Vermont at the Chicago Convention.


Vermont, who is delegate-at-large
from that state to tho Chicago conven-
ton, was called on last evening at the
Buckingham hotel by Tribune report
er, and asked for his views upon the
course which the Vermont delegation
would pursue. Mr.. Stewart explained
that he had not been much in Vermont
during the last year, having spent con-
siderable time here and in Washington,
and he had not conferred with any of
the other delegates to Chicago, either
before or after the state conventions, but
he felt sure that the choice of the major
ity of the Vermont delegates for the
candidate for the presidency would be
Senator Edmunds. "And in accord
ance with the resolution adopted at our
convention" said Mr.. Stewart, "the
delegation will cast its first vote at Chi
cago for Mr.. Edmunds."
"What course will then be pursued? ,
was asked.
"That will depend upon circumstan-
ces," said ex-Gov. Stewart. "Our del
egatlon goes 10 Chicago entirely uncom-
mitted or unplcdged, and after express
ing itself in favor of Senator Edmupds
will guido its further action BY what
seems to be the best for the party. 1t
will give Its aid, small though it be, 10
tho man who, all things considered,
seems to be the best one for the place.
That the delegation is uninstructed
believe to be perfectly proper, for
hold now, and have always said, that
to bind the action of delegates by rigid
instructions is to defeat tho very end
Far MI oh ii
thing to do and tho proper man to Sc
lect for candidate can only be decided
upon after reaching the field of action
and a comparison of views has been
madc: Vermnni's record is on tho aide
of right, and whatever influence she
may have will be cxerted at this time
in that direction"
"Do you think that the strength of
Senator Edmunds has been underesti-
matedW
"He Is too late In the field to have as
yet much prestige as a candidate or nu-
merous following, but circumstances
may combine to place him more promi-
nently before the party. There are del
egates to Chicago who may, when the
tmo comes, show very decided opposi-
ton both to Grant and Blaine, and in
that event selection of Senator Ed
munds might result. He is certainly
emincntally fitted for tho office, and
there would not be the opposition at
largo 10 him, In tho event Of his candi-
dacy, that either Grant or Blaine might
provoke. l was informed recently in
Washington, by representative man
Of Michigan, that no would not be at all
surprised II tho delegation from that
state cast its first vote in the convention
for Edmunds.
think, also, from personal observa-
ton and conversations have had with
residents of Connecticut, that her dele
CATION will probably cast its first vote
for Edmunds. Should this prove true,
the Senator from Vermont may hold
tho balance of power. AS matter of
tho highest expedicncy 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 10 Enthusiastically the
battlefield in this struggle. Tho nee
essity of selecting a candidate who can
lead the Republican hosts to victory In
this campaign is fact that will not be
disputed"
dWhat is the relative strength OF
Grant and Blaine in Vermont, Mr..
StewartN
al hardly know, but believe tina,
their supporters arc quite evenly divid-
ed. The Green Mountain Range, you
know, divides the state. Well, east Of
it the Blaine element predominates, and
to the west Grant has the greater
strength"