The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1882-05-05

IL The congressional ball in the
West side district is now fairly rolling,
and the merits of the different candi-
dates are undergoing active discussion.
The names prominently mentioned at
present are those of ex-Gov. j. W.
) ewart, Judge II. ii. Powers, and
Col. Joyce lie present member. 1t is
enough to say of Col. Joyce that, grant
ing all Tho merits claimed for him, he
has shown no such trabscendent fitness
a. entities him to hold In pcrpetui,y
the seat, which he has already enjoyed
bnger than most of his predecessors.
The friends of tic other candidates
hive right to claim that it is time for
Mr.. Joyce TO give way to n successor.
Judge Powers is a man of great ability
and address, who would do honor 10
The position. II is justly urged, how
ever. that his position upon the Sill.
preme bench of the state is one which
he ought not To vacale when so MANY
OF the associate judges are compare
lively new men, and in view of the
probable early retirement of Judge
iieddeld. OF the improperly OF a SUI
is~s-~> -~---. S---..-- --.-. -
political contest, which has been urged
-w-i~st him by others, we have no wish
to speak. Judge Powers ideas of pro.
priety may be trusted to guide him as
correctly as those of any OF the friends
Of the other candidates. lie has time
to resign his position If he decides to
contest the nomination, and though II
may be felt by the people that In the
present juncture, he, being compare
lively young man, can afford to defer
his political aspirations to the needs Of
the supreme bench, no one can DENY
his right to do otherwise.
Ex-Gov. Stewart, however, seems 10
be thought of and spoken of as the
coming man more than any of the other
candidates. His ability and Integrity
and his general fitness are conceded on
every hand. lie Is in the prime of life
and unencumbered by other public
duties. He has filled well every posi-.
lion In which he has yet been placed,
and no one who knows him can doubt
that his congressional career, should
the people call him to, II, would be
alike honorable 10 himself ana to his
constituents. Universally recognized
as one of The strong men of a state
which has sent so many strong men 10
represent her 10 the national lcgisla.
iure, IL Is felt that he, more than any
one else, would give power 10 The voice
Of Vermont in it's popular wing. At
the present time Gov. Stewards support
Is showing considerable strength. In
his own county il is not as II was two
years ago, when, through bis absence
from the county during q large portion
Of the winter, and leaving his legal
practice for time, the people were left
in ignorance Of his willingness 10 he a
candidate, so that Col. Joyce's skill as o
political worker secured early in the
year large pledges of support In the
northern towns of the county. The
carrying out of these pledges enabled
him to carry the district convention by
n bare majority. That the result was
what 1t was could not be attributed 10
any hostility to Mr.. Stewart, for to-day
the men who were then faithful to their
pledges to Mr.. Joyce are Mr.. Stewards
warm supporters. There will DO no
opportunity in the next convention for
any one TO claim that he is not the
chosen OF the whole county. Appa-
rently he will also bear awsy the sup
por. Of a portion Of Mr.. Joyce's own
county.