The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1884-07-30
Second District Convention.

Inc meeting OF tne uelegateS OF tne repuOll-
can voters OF the second district, to nominate
a candidate for representative in congress, was
briefly announced in the last issue of THE
WATCBMAN. The convention assembled in
Capital Hall, Montpelier, on Wednesday, the
23d instant at the appointed hour. The occa-
sion had attracted a large number of specta-
tors, and the hall was densely packed Kit
tredge Haskins of Brattleboro, chairman of the
district committee, called the convention to
order and read the call for the meeting. W. II.
Dubois, secretary of the committee, read the
roll-call, from which it appeared that three
hundred and seventy-seven out OF the three
hundred and seventy-nine delegates compris-
ing the convention had been reported. Athens,
in Windham county, and Baltimore, in Wind
sor county, each entitled to one delegate, had
not reported. AS q part of the report OF the
committee on credentials the chairman read
the report of that body on the Chelsea case.
The right of the delegates from that town to
sit in the convention had been questioned by
voters from Chelsea, on the ground that the
rule OF the prior convention, requiring the bal
lot-box to be kept open one hour, had not been
complied with. The committee found, from
the evidence submitted, that the box was not
opened till nearly an hour after the assembling
of the caucus, the time being consumed in dis
cussing the merits of the candidates for
nomination to the office OF representative; that
after the box was opened for balloting it re-
manned open thirty-seven minutes, according
to some witnesses, and longer time-but less
than one hour-according to Others that the
bell had been rung to remind the voters OF the
meeting; that before the box was closed indi-
viduals went to the door and observed that
there was no indication OF the coming of any
more voters; that the caucus had been in ses-
sion about an hour and three-quarters; that
the box was then turned, against the protest of
| the minority, and the result declared. The COM
mittee further found that the successful ticket
had majority of twenty. seven votes; that at
| the most but two more votes would have been
| cast had the box remained open an hour; that
| the result would not have been changed by
these votes, even had they been cast against the
| sitting delegates; that to all intents and pur-
poses the rule had been complied with, and
the delegates were entitled to their seats. On
| motion of j. G. Stearns, the report was unani-
mousy accepted and adopted. The chairman
said that he had received a letter from Hon. L.
| z. Poland, the present representative OF the
district which he would read:
JUDGE PoLANDs LETTER.
"sT; JoHSsBuRY, ", July q, lss4.-I intended to
sembed Of the repubcsns Of y dis
trct but in the chilly weather OF the last few days
have taken cold that 1t IA quite unsuitable
for me to leave home. have heretofore as you know
announced nee my purpose to retire from oical fe but
ticpation in politics. hold to be the duty Of every
with public aairs and to be active and Jealous in sup
porting what he believes TO be for the true interest OF
pride themselves upon % having nothing to do with pol
itics. The citizen has more right to abdicate hi:
this very thing has OF the larger cities Of
country produced most melancholy results The wealthy
and let them fall into the control Of the gnorant cor
rupt and yenal. and enormous swindles and defalca
tons have been the consequence hope yet to attend
many republican conventions and to do much faithful
service In the republican ranks what little there was
of discomfort and detection among the republicans OF
this state has, believe, entirely disappeared, but in
some quarters there still feeble wall Some OF the
| gentlemen lndependent
ment are very good friends Of mine; they have
discovered way by which they can maintain tbs
principles of their own party by voting for the cand
discovery before and / fear it viii not work salts
factory now. know ofno to sustain the principles
for and elect your own candidates MIR. Cleveland and
Mr Hendricks may be very excellent gentemen but II
elected they will have to be taken, subject TO all the
he og aad % o % the E
publican remember that no man can serve two masters
that gathers not with scatters abrosd.' The ques
uons of the present. campaign are mainly OF business
prosperity Of the country is concerned believe it vita
that the republican policy be maintained and they art
true republican in the land, Please present my ac-
acknowledgements and regards to the convention with this
parting letter Yours very truly, l.. 7. POLAND.
a." To Colonel htttred0e Hast'ns, Chairman District
Committee"
The chairman announced that the commit
| tee, according to custom, had selected ID. Nj
Camp Of Newport as temporary president.
| Mr.. Camp was escorted to the platform by w. III
| Gilmore of Fairlee and j. j. Wilson Of Bethel
In accepting the position Mr.. Camp briefly ad'
dressed the convention, thanking the members
for the honor, referring to national politics and,
| in passing, giving the boiters thrust, The
| organization was completed by the choice of
| L. p. Thayer Of Randolph and Marsh O. Per-
| kns OF Windsor as secretaries, and Harvey
| Judevine OF Concord and Charles Wilson OF
| Danville as vice-presidents. z. NJ. Mansur,
| H. G. Bates, r. Nj. Harvey, Josiah Grout, III.
| A. Huse, A. L Waterman and X. NJ Colburn
| were chosen committee on resolutions. On
motion of j. l., Martin, each county was di'
| rected to select person to serve as member OF
the district committee and at the proper time
to present the same to the convention for its
confirmation. The real business of the con-
vention having been reached, H. Z. Bates OF
| st. Johnsbury presented the name OF General
| w. w. Grout of Barton as a candidate for
| nomination to the office of representative.
General Grout's nomination was seconded in
| the course OF the flow of conventional oratory
which followed by y NJ Mansur of Brighton,
NJ. w. Buck Of Cavendish, l.. G. Hinckley OF
| Chelsea and g. III. Blake OF Barton. Hon. w.
P. Dillingham; of Waterbury was presented in
a speech distinguished for its good taste and
effectiveness, by Dr. W. A. Jones OF Waitsfield
Charles Wilson Of Danville, III. w. Tewksbury
of Randolph, Rev. J. l.. Sewall of West
minister and M. o. Perkins OF Windsor seconded
the nomination Of Mr.. Dillingham;. James /.
Martin Of Brattleboro, in words that hummed
presented the reasons why, in the minds OF
many delegates, Colonel George W. Hooke,
should be the nominee of the convention. G.
N. Parker OF Royalton, A. b. Franklin Of
Newfane and d. +. Rugg OF Hartland seconded
the nomination OF Colonel Hooker. DIR. NJ III
Chandler of Woodstock presented the name o
Hon. Warren Z. French OF that town, and ]. J