Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1882-08-30
Judge POland...The Other Side.

Certain papers which favored the nomina-
tion of General Grout at the late convention,
while flying the name of Judge Poland at
the head of their columns as their candidate
for congress from the second district, have
nevertheless seen fit to publish from time to
friendly to the Judge. The intent of these
publications seem to be to stir up disaffec-
ton and to egg on the friends Of the unsuc-
cessful candidate for the nomination to
mischief of some kind, either to bolt, or by
scratching the name Of the regular nominee
or through the fundamentally of split
tickets, seriously to reduce Judge Poland's
vote in September. One Of these commune
cations, signed "Vidi, conspicuous for its of,
fensive personal illusions and disparagement
of Judge Poland generally, appeared recently
in the journals named below. In the same
papers there appeared last week, under the
caption above, a reply to "Vidi," from
which the following extract is made. The
portion omitted relates to the judges en-
uauOo inoo PoiiIioai hio ahu ouo oiu cbcolo
and Denison fights, concerning which the
new second district has little concern:
Mr. Editor There appeared in the last issue
of the Windsor Journal and Woodstock Standard
a communication entitled Judge Poland" and
signed Vidi." The peculiarly verbose and cir
cumfex style Of the article renders its authorship
perfectly clear to the people OF the northern part
OF the district, and the mode in which 1t reached
you, II explained, would also be sufficient to fix the
authorship. The article makes no point Of any
thing, but 1t scatters about and hints with sort
OF pedantic oratory at several things 1t is right
that Judge Poland's friends should be heard
through your columns.
Z.
Mr.. "Vid " cannot understand how 1t hap
pened that Judge Poland should have been nomi-
mated by such a majority, unless the district had
been carefully canvassed and manipulated for
him. 1t arose from two causes: First, there had
been general feeling in the state for some years
that Vermont had not the strength In the house
she formerly had, or that she ought to have.
This feeling was greatly intensified by the loss
OF one member; second, the feeling In the
old second district that Judge Poland was very
unfairly treated in 1874, and that the desire to
right that wrong induced many OF the men who
were most active against him In 1874 to be the
most active in bringing him forward in 1882.
These causes operated of themselves, they needed
no outside aid and these same causes will insure
his triumphant election.
Mr.. Vidi 70 asked what Judge Poland did in
congress. shall not undertake to enumerate
his congressional services. 1t Is enough TO say
that for the last five years OF his service he stood
among the very foremost men of the house, and
was placed In more positions OF responsibility re-
quiring both ability and courage than any other
man in the house, and his reputation became ma
tional. Probably no man has ever received a
nomination to the house that has been hailed by
more unanimous approval by the republican
press Of the whole country.
But Mr.. "Vidi" brings up some Of the old
cries. :" He assisted in casting the mantle OF,
not charity Che has none) but oblivion, over the
Credit Mobilier rascality," etc. Win "Vidi"
state what facts existed which the committee OF
which Judge Poland was chairman did not dis
cover, or will he state any which were discov-
cred which were not truly and honestly reported
Judge Polands report killed both Brooks and
Ames and MANNED for life several others. Pretty
tough mantle. The only criticism ever made on
that report was that 1t too severe and unspar-
ing. Salary grab. Judge Poland voted steadily
against the increase of salary, but 1t became the
law. This was just at the end Of the session.
All knew that the subject would be brought up
again at the next session. Judge Poland took his
pay AZ the law gave it, but declared that II the
law was repealed he should pay 1t back, though
not legally Obliged to do So AT the next session
he made speech for the repeal Of the increase
and voted for the repeal, and as soon az re-
pealed, he returned the money to the U. s.
treasury. Did any other man take a course
more Straightforward and honest
"Vidi also makes dab at little act OF char
ity of Judge Poland's In founding scholarship In
the Vermont University. AS1, 600 Investment pays
the tuition OF some poor young man during his
college course for all time to come The Judge
had no advantage Of schools, except the rude dis
trict schools OF his boyhood days. II, after such
success In life as gave him the money, he was
willing to give some other poor boy as he was the
means OF getting an education, Ia that reason
why he should not again go to congress Let the
people say. This Is quite the best arrow in
"Vidps" culver.
The whole article is spiced with elegant refer
enees TO the judges peculiar old-style blue coat.
It must be admitted that he persists perhaps
foolishly, In wearing 1t at home and abroad, but
believe no true Vermonter feels ashamed OF the
coat OF the wearer. Ihaye no time 10 follow Mr..
"Vidi" further. | ask all your readers TO again
carefully read his article, and then ask themselves
what sort OF eminent statesman the man must
be who could write such TRADE Of silly nom
sense "VIDIs NEIaHBoR"