Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1884-09-05
as good send-of in the list Of Republican
victories that are TO follow.


Brattleboro's vote on Tuesday showed a to-
tai falling of Of $50 as compared with the
governor vote in 1850. There was "a Bepub-
hcau loss Of 2i3 votes and Democratic gain
Of 143 votes There were Il Independent
votes cast. II we add these to the BepubH-
can vote, where they properly belong, the
Republican loss is reduced to $50.
BY outside parties the question is repeated
ly asked why this has happened. and how
this state Of things has come about. The
answer is that it has happened very largely
through Republican Indifference. and be-
cause full vote was not brought out
During the whole canvass no attempt
was made at systematic Republican organ.
ization, and beyond the holding Of pub.
lie meetings very little campaign work was
done No club room was established, but It,
tie effort WAS made to add TO tho numbers Of
the Republican club, and little or nothing
was done to give cohesiveness to the Repub-
lican following. Finally on election day,
there was lack Of organized effort to bring
dilatory Republican voters to the polls.
On the part of the Democracy the case was
the reverse Their campaign was probably
the most active and effective one they have
ever carried on Every man was on the alert,
their organization was strong and effective.
the young voters were carefully looked after.
and, most important Of ALL when election day
came the check list was SHARPLY watched and
their voters were brought to the polls almost
to a man. Saying nothing about the hide
pendent movement which was inevitably in
the Democratic favor, these facts account for
the Democratic gain and the Republican loss.
The answer to the question, How did it
happen that Brattleboro, strong Republican
town, elected Democratic representative, is
simply this 1t happened through Republi.
can folly and Republican division. Had there
been a sincere purpose to unite on any suita-
bic and competent man who proved to be the
choice Of a majority of Republican voters,
there would have been no question of his cleo
ton. But the contrary Of such purpose was
apparent. So strong is the Republican vote
that it has not been the custom of Brattleboro
Republicans to hold caucus for the nomina-
ton Of candidate to be supported for town
representative, but by a sort of unwritten law
it has been the custom to unite after the first
ballot, if there was no election, on the man
carrying the largest number of votes
On the first ballot on Tuesday Mr. Herrick
had 4O5 votes aud his nearest Republican
competitor had only 1875 There was no pos
sible hope, therefore, of the election of any
Republican then in the field except Mr. Her.
rick, but instead of uniting on him a small
Republican minority persisted in scattering
their votes on the second ballot and. as the
event proved with an unmistekable purpose
to kill of Nj Herrick and then bring out
Col. Hooker to sweep the board on the third
ballot. If it is replied that nothing of the
kindwas intended, and that such a supposition
does injustice TO the parties in interest. We
have to answer that the fact that hundreds of
printed Hooker ballots were produced for dis.
tribution the instant that the result of the
second ballot was declared, shows that prepa-
ration had been made for this very thing
And we have not heard it disputed that these
ballots were printed some days in advance Of
the election.
So indignant were scores Of Republicans
at the tactics thus displayed that on the i'm
pulse of the moment their votes were given
to Dr. Conland, and it is an undisputed fact
tina the doctor was elected by straight. up.
and-down Republican voters. And so indig-
naut were hundreds Of other Republicans
that they now have no hesitation in SAYING
that the Republicans of Bratteboro have
been taught lesson which they have de-
served to learn.
There is a strong feeling among the rank
and file of the Republican party in Brattle.
boro that it is time that personal politics
among us were wiped out and that fractional
contests Of all kinds were done away with.
We hope this humiliating reverse is the be-
ginning of the end, aud that hereafter we
shall be found standing and working togeth.
er, and presenting united front when coca
sion demands il