Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1883-12-28
PRESIDENTIAL. pKOSpElTS-

tntN.bbNlItI EhVSfEtts
Mr.. +. D. Root, one of the assistant cdi-
to;s OF tho New York TINES, has been max
inc tour Of some of the New England
States with view 10 ascertariug the drift
oi public opinion concerning the next prcsl-
dency. He came first to Vermont, and dc.
votes most Of a twp.co'unl letter, to rep )rls
oil what our people think of Vermont
Grea. Senator in connection with national
politics The letter contains nothing that is
new TO our readers, in the way of intorma.
ton, but they will be Interested to see what
an intelligent gentleman has gathered among
our politicians, and we copy the larger part
OF his letter elsewhere. The opinions quoted
generally, as We think, represent fairly the
feeling Of the Vermont Republicans towards
Senator Eimnnds, except thai there is no
proper place r the terms Indifference and
hopclessncss' in describing it, Looking at
the subject from the home poin, of view the
Vermont Republicans, AMI We might say the
Vermont people, are proud and happy TO be
represented by Mr.. Elmunis in the Senate,
as long as he is able and willing to serve
them there; for they know they could not
put man in his place, who could fill his
shoes, or hold for the State the distinction
and weight in the National Legislature it
now possesses through his ability, expert
ence, honesty and high qualities as leader
and statesman. From the national point of
view, intelligent Vermonters as a class, he
To h.. 3D.,
great pivotal State of New York, than any
prominent New Iorker-fJr he would be
cordially accepted, by both wings of the
parry in that State, which is more than can
be said of any New Yorker. Mr.. Edmunds
is also very strong at the West, and
on the Pacific slope Our Vermonters
candldly believe-and their opinion, strange
as it may sound, may be said to be a
disintercsted one; for, looking at their own
interests apart from national interests, they
would be glad to keep Mr.. Edmunds in the
Scnatc-is tina, he would be the most ayaila.
BILE cand date, and that he would make the
ablest aud best President the party has had
siuce Auruuum Lincoln. They also by no
means consider it 10 be ''hopeless" that the
logic Of the situation may make this plain
to the National convention when il meets
and compel the party to take its best man
to head its ticket.
The attitude of the Vermont Republicans
toward President Arthur is fairly stated,
They have kindly feeling toward him as
native Nermonter, and think he has
thus far made very good President: and
If he has finally and fully cut loose from his
Old chief, MIR. Conkling, he would be likely
to be their second choice for President.
Mr. Root was less fortunate in obtaining
accurate information in regard to our State
politics. Whoever told him that our State
offices are parcelled out two years in advance
by the Smith ring" must have strangely
overlooked the Pages, Pecks, Fairbankses.
Proctors, Barstows and others-men con.
nected with rival railroad interests men
utterly independent of any ring, clique,
or interest, men whose action as governors
has shown that they owed nothing tc
any railroad interest or "rlng"-who have
been our governors of late years. to Gnu
nothing OF the minor State officers. It ia a,so
mistake to say that "the opponents of Gov.
ernor Smith are trying to make Fredercl,
Billings governor" No Issue with Governo,
Smith, we venture to say, has been tbouob,
OF, by most OF those who have spoken favor
ably oil Mr. Billings as a possible candidat,
Tor governor-and there is no reason VIII,
there should be any hostility or jealousy be,
tween two gentlemen who have been CON
cerned together in great public interest,
were delegates together land worked II
cordial harmony in the last Nation,
convention who have no conflicting
interests and who have an abpnd
ance OF mutual friends at home. Gov
ernor Smith has the influence in Vermont :,
which he is entitled by his personal ouali,io
as well as by his position at the head of IN,
great Central Vermont railroad interest. I'm
nc IS TOO wise to aspire or attempt to be tn,
'boss' OF Vermont politics and sometbir,
OF this, indeed, seems 10 have dawned n,
Mr' hool' ior he remarks, incidentally tina
the Republican ring" hardly deserves fin
name OF ring" and that Governor Smi,l
rules rather by persuasion and skillful man
agement, than by boss dlctaton.
MIR. Root went from here to New Uanr
shire. There he found a strong "macbipc
MIR. Chandler, they told him, was no lopgo
Tor Blaine; but for Arthur, or the man TIM
can carry the most electoral votes, consc
quently the New Hampshire machine ia like
iy to be for Arthur, though General Shgrma
has many friends, especially among the oil
soldiers. Mr.. Root naturally found liz,
special admiration for Senator Edmund
among the New Hampshire politicians-wb
have always wanted man that could h
used by them
oh mes respectable, well educate
man, ana learned parliamentarian. sal
one OF the politicians. He'd carry th
State, suppose, but no one would he or
tnuslastlc In his support" Another said ,ha
the Vermont Senator was moi well 1" hno .ne
and was not popular. "People of cnItnro
sad growing politician of the Rolljna
scnooi, respect Edmunds, but we couldn
make lively campaign for him."
This is' as 1t might have been expecled =,
be. Mr.. Edmunds is much better known i
New York and Massachusetts,, than in an
other reighboring State and he is strongs.
where he 10 best known.
feopie VINO live in city flats might apprc