Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1882-07-19
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For Governor,
Ohm l.. BARSTOW, SHELBURNE'
Choosing q Congressman.

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Choosing q Congressman.
In its issue of January 20 the WArcBMAN
drew the attention of the people OF YER
mont to the then distant matter of the choice
of her representatives in the next congress-
The changed circumstances under which the
coming election would be held were reviewed,
and the choice of two men who, by their
ability and influence should not only make
good the states numerical loss but should
restore her lost prestige in the lower house
of congress, was considered Of paramount
Importance. The people were exhorted to
give the matter intelligent and independent
consideration, and when the campaign be.
gan a few weeks ago, there was found to ex-
ist throughout the state feeling almost OF re-
ligious fervor that Vermont must now choose
the wisest and strongest of her citizens to
represent her at Washington. As the cam
paign developed in the second district, an
effort was made in the interest of the politi-
clans to forestall the choice of representa-
tive and to create the impression that the
nomination of the present member from the
old third district was foregone conclusion.
But patriotic stand for ability and states
manship had been taken by press and peo-
pie, and "hands off was their brusque no.
tice to political managers. walk over J"
was conceded to no man on the score OF
hollow precedents or of false courtesies
The times demanded better reasons for a
mans claim to represent half the state OF
Vermont. During the early canvass for
standard-bearer, General CIRCUITS was the
only announced and positive candidacy.
The WATcHMAN was not disposed to con-
cede his nomination. Its Discrimination had
in it no element of personal hostility. 1t is
no disparagement of his abilities to say that
it was thought there were many stronger
men in the district, and if the services
of any one of them could be had it was
the first duty of the voters to take that
man. The name of Fiield, and of Tyler,
was mentioned, but each announced him
self out of the race in terms which left
no room to doubt his sincerity. Billings
was not aforementioned. His ability and
his ready eloquence on notable occa-
sions had won him friends and conf
dence, but the glamour of congressional
honors did not modest his eyes. Meantime
the first district had nominated Stewart
Many people felt that the second district
should not do worse when it might do
even better in the choice of candidate.
In this emergency Luke p. Poland was
sought out in his retirement. In response
to many opportunities, while assuring his
the common acceptation of that term, and
would not lift hand to obtain nomina
ton, he so far yielded to the pressure brought
to bear upon him as to signify his readiness
to accept the honor, coming as the unsoughi
offer of the people. 1t cannot be denied
that Mr.. Poland has the talents, experience
and personal influence which fill in every
particular the bill of requirements which
the pressing exigencies of the times demand
His candidacy in its origin and in the quail
ity of the candidate himself commends itself
to the approval and support of the WATCH
MAN and among the names now in the field
his is our unqualified first choice. More re-
Gently Warren C. French of Woodstock has
been announced as candidate. Mr.. French
is worthy gentleman, and if his candidacy
fails to excite any marked degree of enthu
-. L = l. II L L
spectful consideration. w. p. Dillingham's
name has been mentioned, but he frankly
and sensibly tells his friends that he is not
candidate and that he prefers the peace OF
private life and the emoluments of increas-
ing professional business to harassing cares
at Washington. Mr.. Dillingham; will still
be young decade hence, with powers devel-
oped and matured by time and experience,
and that friendship is ill-advised which
would prematurely thrust him forward. The
interests Of the district would undoubtedly
be safe in the hands of any of these candi.
dates, but to Judge Polands name alone is
conceded pre-eminent fitness, with national
fame and influence. The extracts from the
press, given in another column, indicate that
the drift of popular feeling is Enthusiastically
toward him. Judging from the information
received from individual sources in various
parts of the district, this feeling is rapidly
assuming degree of unanimity and fervor
that gives assurance of ascendancy. The
action Of political assemblies is uncertain.
OF the relative merits of the candidates
which will go before the convention we
entertain positive convictions, and our views
will not be influenced by the issue whatever
it may be. We have a personal preference,
but we stipulate only for free and honest
expression of the popular will. The welfare
of the district and the honor of the state
will be safe in the untrammeled hands Of
the people, and there we leave it.