The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1884-05-02
BrattlcbOrO Correspondent Of
Springfield Republican,.


Nichols withdrawal from the guber-
material race was to most of his fol-
lowers one of the greatest surprises in
the States political history. 1t really
came so suddenly as to be bewildering,
and those who were laboriously prop
ping up his canvass are quite evidently
waiting Micawbcr-likc for something
to turn up 1t is surprising just now
to learn how very popular Lieut. Pin
gree has been to these astonished fol-
lowers all along, and how he has been
the second choice of Nichols friends
from the outset. But what effect will
Nichols endorsement have upon Pin
gree's possibilities? is asked. at will
depend" said one of the anti-Smith
Republicans, somewhat upon Pingrces
immediate attitude toward the ring that
hopes now to capture him. Pingree
believe to be straightforward, quick,
discerning man, one who is not account
able to Gov. Smith for free passes or
favors. Should this cunning tact of
Smiths (for it bears the evidence of
his conception) be the means of flattcr-
ing Pingree into the act of bowling the
knee patronizingly to the ring, and
should such an impression get abroad,
l believe Pingree would be set aside for
some one who was known to be posi-
lively free from the shackles of the
Central Vermont railroad managers.
On some accounts regret NichoPs're-
tirement, for had he remained in the
field the people would have had an OPP
porninity of expressing their disap-
proval of machine tactics and they
would have most assuredly set down
on Nichols with a thump. The collapse
of Smiths power in Vermont is mani
festly complete and it only shows how
utterly feeble and impolitic have been
his methods during many years of bos-
sing. Men of light weight have been
brought to the front because they per-
formed the behcsts of their master.
Brains and virtue have too often been
thrust aside for characters whose sole
qualifications for public service could
not possibly reach beyond the shadow
of ring influence The break has come
at last and the people of Vermont can,
if they elect, prevent the restoration of
'Smfthism.' Just now there appears to
be disposition to cary the war into
Africa.
Although Nichols withdrawal was
genuine surprise to most everybody in
the State it is said to have been brought
about regretfully by command of Gov.
Smith, who had become satisfied of the
peoples hostility which promised to 60
beyond the governorship and enter the
various county conventions, and more
over to have strong influence in the
selection of town representatives. Thus
it is seen that the same causes that could
produce the defeat of Nichols would
largely operate to elect an anti-Smith
Legislature and one that could not be
relied upon to elevate Smith to Senator
Edmund's seat should it become neces-
sary to select the latter's successor.
Consequently it is easy, say many, to
detect the motive of the defeated man.
ager in withdrawing his reserved favor
lite. Be that as it may, there is no de-
nying the fact that the strongest efforts
have been put forth quietly to insure
Nichols nomination. Some weeks ago,
when he turned back from a contem-
plated western tour to look after his
fences, he was assured by prominent
Smith followers who were nervously
telegraphed for. that he had nothing to
fear whatever, for his nomination was
sure as the sun, it being in the line of
spontaneous call from the party. What
a humiliating outcome indeed! A prom
inent Vermonter in commenting upon
the result says that the story of misrule
is too well known within and without
the State to be repeated; but, said he,
the final overthrow is attributable to |
cause that few understand. II is this:
'HUntil within two years free passes
have been almost indiscriminately dis
tributed by the Central railroad mana
ger, trains overcrowded with dead-head
passengers until it became necessary
from pecuniary standpoint to check
the abuse. Today less than half the
usual number of free passes are in use
and the effect is astonishing. No passes,
no votes, seems to be the answer of a
horde of long time dead-heads to the
new order of things" But this expla-
nation does not account or give credit
for the radical change of sentiment that
has led those who have for years used
free passes, to return them now, on re-
ceipt, without apology to the doners.
The truth is, there has been change of
heart up here among the green hills, and
none are so blind as those who do not
realize it. 1t has taken a long time to
develop, but the sentiment seems to
have come to stay. 1t is said that Gov
Smith now to offset the Nichols collapse
will head the delegation at large to the
Chicago convention and that his friends
will accompany him as district dele
gates.
Louisiana held its State election Tuesday,
and the affair was an exciting one, because of
the effort tc, oyerthrnw the unccyunulouS Nc