Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1884-02-15
MASSACHUSETTS REPUBLICANS AND sENl-
TOR EDMuNDs,

The Boston 7'rduellsr publishes very in
tercsing and significant article giving tie
presidential preferences OF seventy.three Of
the 1863 Republican members of the Massa-
chusetts cgislature-scventy- which
the TrdDeller says, constitute about all the
prominent and Influential men of the legisla-
ture. 1t is complete reflection of the
present mind of the Massachusetts general
court as expressed by those Of its members,
who, to use Disraeli's favorite phrase, are linen
OF light and leading" A summary OF their
opinion shows that OF the IA senators, FIVE
favor Senator Edmunds as a Presidential
candidate, threeare for President Arthur three
arc for Gen. Sherman and three are non COM
initial. or the SO members Of the House of
House of Representatives, t,centy-sir favor
Senator Edmunds IS President Arthur; 8
hr. Blaine, one each Senator Sherman,
Senator Logan and Gen. Sherman; and nine
arc non-committal. This makes 81 who ex-
press an opinion, and of these 81 are
for Senator Edmunds exactly majority,
81 are for President Arthur; and are for
Gen. Sherman. Commenting editorially upon
these figures, the Trdoeler says: "Tbis
is remarkable indication of Massachusetts,
opinion, aud highly significant of what is
likely to happen wien the State convention
to choose delegates meets. Mr.. Edmunds
slightly leads in Massachusetts, favor. This
is natural and deserved tribute to the
greatest living Republican statesman OF New
England now in public life"
Some individual expressions of the men,
bers OF the Legislature are worthy of note.
President Bruce Of the Senate says: ITO
my mind Senator Edmunds is nearer the
ideal candidate" Senator John f. Andrew
(son of the great War Governor) says My
own preference would be for Judge Edmunds
whom | regard as a clean able, and
every way strong man, who would make
an admirable President" Senator Burden of
Bristol says: ~ prefer Edmunds TO any
other candidate. Arthur's nomination, how
ever, would be satisfactory, and his admins
tration has been cxcellent--much better than
was expected. Arthur would undoubtedly
be the strongest candidate if he could carry
New York; but think that Edmunds or
some other outsider would be stronger there"
Representative A. w. Beard of Boston saws
whether we are to win depends on our
ticket. Ohio and New York will be the
pivotal States, and we ehall need TO carry
them. ! can name two men who can do this
George f. Edmunds and William T. Sher
man. | do not say there are not othcrs who
can do so. but am certainly confident either
Of these two cam"
Other expressions Of opinion by Represent
atives were as follows:
Aonzo b. Wentworth tDedham) .-Sena-
tor Edmunds is the man, by all means. He
is giant, intellectually and morally.
j. Z. A Bracket Boston. My first
choice is Senator Edmunds. Although he
comes from State having a small electoral
vote, he seems to me to combine in a gre alter
degree than any other public man, the two
elements OF strength, ability and availability.
L believe he would be stronger in New York
than any candidate residing in that State.
"Edmunds and Lincoln" would be a ticket
acceptable TO all members of the party, and
witch would give us every assurance OF sue
cess.
Finally Representative Willis A. Kings
bury Of Holliston hits the rail squarely on
the head when he says: II regard the pros.
pect to be bright one In case we can secure
the independent vote, but to do this we
must have man like Edmuuds. 1t would
hardly be expedient for us to nominate a
man who has been mixed up with the an |
tagonisms of previous campaigns President
Arthur's administration has commented it. |
self to the party, and he as well as others
who have been named, could undoubtedly
poll full party vote. but it looks to me as if |
we must have more than the regular party
vote in order TO succeed