Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1882-04-26
Politics on the West Side.


BURLINGTON, April "a, 1887.
Mr. Editor while politics on your side Of the
mountain is unusually quiet, here on the west
SIDE" the political "cauldron" has already be-
gun to boil" and the aspirants for congress
sional honors are coming thick and fast upon u.s.
There in the field already, Ex-Governor Stew
art, Judge Powers, Mr. Joyce the Hon. James X.
Batchelder Of Arlington, the Hon. Loveland Mum
son Of Manchester and the Hon. Mason b. Coburn
OF Factory Point. The leading candidates will be
three first named II Is expected that one or two
minor candidates will be named, and there are
besides few OZARK horses" who are being
stealthily groomed. From pretty thorough in
vestigation OF affairs, feel justified In asserting
that the choice OF the better class OF voters In the
district is the Hon. John W. Stewart. find the
idea that with only two congressman, the state
should send the strongest men, irrespective OF To-
cality or friendship, or favorte sons" to be en-
tertained by the most intelligent and substantial
voters in all parts of the district and these same
voters believe that in this district Governor Stew
art Is the best man. In Washington county
where Governor Stewart has always had hosts Of
friends, and nearly all Of whose delegates were
for him in 1880, need not spend much time in
recounting his qualifications. A man Of liberal
education, a Christian gentleman, Governor Stew
art has filled many public offices we'll and has at
tanned the highest distinctions is his profession Of
the law He is a man of the strictest rectitude.
His friends have never had to defend his reputa-
ton, for no one ever made any attack upon it.
The only charge ever heard made against him
Is that he is not conciliatory enough, and does
not make sufficient efforts to capture delegates.
II true, such traits ought not to hurt him with
the independent republican voters OF the "west
side" and do not think they will. In 1880, the
governor labored under the disadvantage OF hav-
| ing some OF the towns in the north part Of Addi-
| son county, under the leadership OF Vergennes,
| arrayed against him. | find by a visit to the
"ancent city" that that hostility is happily al
layed, ndthat the delegates from Addison county
will be unanimous for him.
few figures will give you an idea Of probable
strength OF the leading candidates upon the first
ballot In the convention. The whole number Of
votes will be 42; necessary to choice, 172. Ad-
Olson county will have 81 votes bennington, A;
Chittenden, 6O Franklin, 90; Grand Isle, IL; La
noble, 20; Rutland, 81. Judge Powers friends
claim Tor him the whole OF Franklin, Grand Isle
and lamoille and half OF Chittenden-117. Mr..
Batchelder claims and will undoubtedly have a
majority OF the delegates from Bennington
county Colonel Joyce claims the whole OF the
Rutland county delegates, but he will be very apt
to find himself about fifteen short when he calls
the roll on the morning OF the convention Gov
ernor Stewart will have the whole OF Addison,
ten or fifteen votes from Rutland-coming from
Brandon, Benson, West Haven and perhaps Pitts
ford-and half OF Chittenden. His friends claim
that he will get more than half Of Chittenden, all
OF the Grand Isle delegates except those from Al.
burgh, and scattering delegates from all the Other
counties. They expect that he will poll about lac
votes on the first ballot and will make gains
steadily until he reaches majority. He has the
strong support OF the Free Press and the support
OF all the papers published in Addison county.
A strong point is made against Judge Powers
that he is degrading the judicial office by enter
ing a political contest while sitting upon the
bench, and believe that this objection will have
considerable force 1t has not been the custom
of the state for the members Of the supreme cour
to engage in politics. Judge Steele, whose con
test in the old second district with Judge Poland il
1872 will be remembered, resigned from the bench
before entering the lists, and gave a. reason thai
the "eternal fitness of things forbade a politica
aspirant retaining a supreme court iudgeship
Judge Peck, though nominated for governor Will,
holding court In Orange county. was not a candi