The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1884-07-16

able, in theory il not in practice, is what
the people want, and If left to themselves
they would invariably choose the man
that can give it. The people are nearer
right in this matter than is always agree
able to aspiring politicians and their in
struments. The people of the second
district would have no special difficulty in
choosing a representative If personal am
bition and influence could be eliminated
from the business of making the choice.
As things are, several NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
enough in their proper spheres, but for
whom it can hardly be said there is q
spontaneous call-aspire to the high office,
and each proceeds to work up sentiment
in his favor. Men are pledged to their
support and an effort is made by sly proce-
dure to surprise the people into supporting
them. The caucus is made the machine
for registering snap judgments in favor
of the candidate who is smart enough and
sly enough to get possession of it. Wash
ington county has been visited by politi-
cal agents during this canvass, and very
lately unsuccessful attempts have been
made to swing off towns in which, on a
popular vote, the candidate this county
will present would have an overwhelming
majority. BY these personal agencies
of 10 IN - tha, thc,,
develop, the popular preference. A con-
vention assemblies that is made up of dele
gates who represent the personal follow
ing of diverse candidates. rather than the
people, and whose sole object is the sue
cess of the man in whose interest they
came to the convention. The solution of
a question which should be plain matter
Of business becomes sort of gladia-
torial contest, with ballots instead of more
bloody instruments for weapons.
Washington county has gone into this con-
test, in which before she presented her can.
didate there were four entries, in response
to call for man that should more com.
pletely satisfy the requirements of the
people of the district. The county has
man in the prime of manhood, who has
made state reputation in his profession,
and who in the legislature and in the
discharge of responsible private trusts
has developed qualities that had marked
him for promotion to the highest execu-
tive office of the state. When Judge
Poland declared his purpose not to be
candidate for denomination, the demand
came from all quarters of the district to
put this man up as candidate for his sue.
cessor. He is in the field by no agency of
his own, and his friends will stand by him.
As the fact of his candidacy has become
known, he has developed wonderful
strength. As correspondent in one of
the extremes of the district says: "Dil.
bingham, it seems to me, is a growing
candidate as his genuine merits become
better known, and he is the natural candi.
date, both by location and fin ess, for all
to turn to. Let his friends stick and he
will win" People have seen in him a
man whom they believe is already and
easily the superior of any candidate in
the field-a man who has been steadily
growing, and a man with a capacity for
such growth as is exemplifed in the men
who constitute Vermont's magnificent
delegation in the present congress. He is
strong and unassailable in all the attrib-
utes Of manly character. His nomina-
ton would signify the end of these iniu.
rious biennial contests, and with perma-
hence in the tenure of the Office and all
the benefits to the state and nation that
permanence brings, harmony and good
feeling would be restored to the district.
Mr.. Dillingham's nomination is demanded
at this time by every consideration of a
wise and enlightened public policy. Dele
gates, if they are true to their trust, will
put all personal and partisan consider
atoms under foot and discharge this public
duty deliberately and for the best and
most permanent good of the whole dis
trict-and in this patriotic view of the
matter they can hardly fail, among all the
candidates named, to contrib ute to the
of William p. Dillinpham.