St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1884-05-15
choosing the best for responsible public
positions.- Montpelier Waterman.

OILS from the gubernatorial canvass,
under the circumstances, is charac-
teristic of the man. He is not one who
has ever forced himself upon the pub
lie. Always retiring and unpretend-
ing, he has been a faithful and efficient
officer whatever may have been the
position in which he has been placed.
AS now, he has ever been ready to set
aside mere personal considerations,
aud his course will commend him still
further to the favorable consideration
of his fellow citizens. - Bellows Falls
Times.
STILL WANT BILLINGS.
This whole matter is one which we
hope the Republicans of Vermont, and
especially those of Windham county,
will think and talk of seriously. We
hope for the next six weeks it will be
the theme of conversation on the farm,
in the shop, wherever men meet to
discuss public affairs, and we hope the
outcome of it will be the election in
every town of independent, nnpledged
delegations to go to Burlington on the
18th of June. For. our own part we
should like to see that convention rise
up to the point of rendering to Fred
erick Billings a unanimous nomination
and try whether he would refuse a
nomination for the gOvernOrship COM
ing to him under such circumstances.
I Brattleboro Phenix.
CARELEss AND INCOMPETENT OFFICERS.
In these repeated disasters the pub
lie has not even the negative cOnsOla-
ton of seeing the captains or the COM
pany officials prosecuted. The inquiry
into the case of the wrecked steamer
Steinmann did not materially damage
the reputation of the careless young
captain, while the wretched perform
ances at the lighthouse nearly earned
for the temporary keepers in charge a
certificate for special herOism. But
how long is a much-enduring public to
put mp with this unregulated ocean
service with it's 'longshoremen for sail
ors, graduated "sailors" for officers,
and selfish companies for the guardians
and directors of ocean travel Spring
field Republican.
THEY COULD NOT ANSWER.
DR.. Nichols in his letter speaks OF
"an uuprOvoked and INSCRIPTIONS at
tack developed in certain quarters.
We have seen nothing of this kind.
Certain questions have been asked
which neither the DIR. or his friends
have noticed at all. 1t is true some of
| the papers have attempted to ridicule
these queries, but ridicule will not
change the prevailing sentiment of the
people of Vermont. That sentiment,
whether it is for prohibition, or for
compliance with tax legislation OF
against improper or unworthy efforts
| to control caucuses, conventions OF
elections, is to be heard. Ridicule,
sarcasm, abuse will only increase it.
Candidates already in the field or apt
to be presented by their friends will
do we'll to put themselves in hearty
sympathy with some of these peculiar
sentiments SO fast gaining hold upon
the people, or if they cannot, then
quietly retire from the field to save
defeat. - Newport Express.
NO COL. HOOKER IN HIS.
The conventions must have proved
a terrible strain upon the energies OF
| Col. Hooker. He undertook to make
the acquaintance of every delegate
from the Second congressional district
and desired to be personally remem-
bered to all their friends at home. His
hand shaking was simply immense and
must have been very fatiguing. The
colonel abOunds in suavity of manner
and speech and he put in his finest
work at Montpelier. TO save undue
exertion a mere suggestion breathed
in his ear might not be amiss, to wit
FNha nannla of tba district at laaSt r.,
great extent are plain, practical, com
mon sense, industrious people, speak
mostly plain unvarnished English, dc
not fully comprehend, or at least dc
not place very high estimate upon
extreme politeness or senseless palaver
The voters in the second district will
we think elect congressman of abil'
ity, with character and reputation
worthy the confidence of the people
and his name will not be Hooker
! Newport Express.
NO MORE PUT-UP JOBS.
1t is a healthy sign in our state poll
ties that there is clearly manifested
disposition throughout the state not to
take too much for granted with regard
to our next gOvernOrship at this early
day-almOst two months before the
state convention meets. AS seen, both
in newspaper expression and in pro
nOunced sentiment among leading men
in all parts of the state, there is a very
decided determination not to take il
for granted-because Lieut. Gov. Pin.
gree's friends have brought him out as
a candidate, and because Hon. Geo
Nichols has withdrawn from the field
and pledged Col. Pingree the support
of his followers-that Col. Pingree is
to be our next governor. And this
sentiment arises from no feeling OF
hostility to either Col. Pingree or Mr.
Nichols. 1t is simply an earnest pro
test of the people against the practice
which has come too much to prevail
of having everything fixed for them
long before the conventions, which are
supposed to voice the popular will
meet Phenix.
WILL TELL THE WHOLE STORY.
We have to say, in answer to the
Tribune, "the whole story" of Mr.
Blaine's railroad operations will be
told in case he is nominated for the
presidency. What has appeared is lit.
orally only an instalment, but it is in
our opinion sufficient. There are facts
to come which nobody, not even his
friend, Mr.. Phelps, will attempt to e1.
plain or deny. They will be mighty
interesting campaign reading, but we
do not believe there will be any oc-
casion to produce them. He was "or
the make" between 1865 and 1873, IA
so many others were, and involved
himself in a series of politico-fnancia
transactions which untitled him per.
manehtly for any high office, but which
everybody are content to leave undis-
turbed now if he will simply stop pest
ering the Republicans for a nomina.
| tinn which Nnnld rnin the nartN NJ