davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1884-05-01
COL. PINGREE-s REPLY.
Hartford. Vt, Anril p. 1881

Hartford, Vt, April %, 1884.
Hon. Geo. Nichols:
My dear sir: Yours of the 23rd inst.
was received by me yesterday, inclos-
ing yOur open letter of withdrawal
from the candidacy for governor, and
the latter was indeed surprise to me,
rs it doubtless will be to the general
public. ..-...
| have never been able to see any
thing in the relations which Our re-
spective, and in many cases, mutual
friends have imposed upon us, by pre-
senting our names to our fellow citi-
zens for the most complimentary ser
vice in their power to render, which
could be Inconsistent with the personal
friendship which for nearly quarter
of century has subsisted between you
and myself, and | supposed and still
firmly believe, that the cordiality of
our personal relations would be even
more strongly cemented by the honor
able call which our cOuntrymen, unso-
licited on our part, were making upon
us aud so far as our personal relations
enter into the situation which your
public letter develops, | sincerely re-
greet your withdrawal.
Nor could readily anticipate that
such calls on the part of our fellow
citizens, upon you and me and others
as have been made aud are making
through the press and in discussion,
would tend to any serious distraction
or inharmony in the republican party
of our state upon any question touch
ing the issues with our common op-
ponent in state and national affairs,
would at all times and at any sacrifice
of personal considerations, emphasize
the sentiment so well expressed by
you that nothing should be allowed
to disturb or distract the entire har-
mouy and most cordial good feeling in
the republican ranks of our state
And yOur expression of the spirit of
jealous loyalty to the best interests of
our state, through the harmonious
action of the the republican party, is
to my understanding of yourself, but
an epitome of your life, for so many
years devoted to public affairs.
For your kindly personal illusions
to me thank you; and if, from the
list of names mentioned, or to be men
toned i'll connection with the candi-
dacy for governor, the voice of our citi-
zens should summon me to promo
ton, however might feel compelled
to regard the wisdom of their choice,
and however strong my personal pref
erences for private life might be,
should regard it my first duty to obey
that voice, with whatever of ability,
fidelity and sense of justice might
possess.
And in this determination and pur-
pose, I believe those able and honor
able gentlemen, whose names are al
ready before the people in connection
with the candidacy for that office,
earnestly concur with me as will
Others who well might, aud yet may
be, named therefor.
With high regard, remain,
Sincerely and truly yours,
SAMUEL +. PINGREE.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1884-05-01
District and state Conventions.

The Second district convention for
choice of delegates to Chicago was held
at Montpelier Tuesday. Major Josiah
circuit was chosen chairman and Ar
thur Ropes secretary. On motion of
Geo. w. Wing, b. F. Fifield of Mont
pelier was chosen first delegate, and
on motion of L. ID. Blodgett, Truman
c. Fletcher of st. JOhnsbury was elect
ed second delegate. Geo. H. Babbitt
of Bellows Falls and H. c. Wilson of
Troy were chosen alternates.
Congressman John w. Stewart was
renominated by reclamation at Rut-
land Thursday and Henry Ballard and
Maj. A. B. Valentine were chosen del
egates to Chicago. The alternates are
p. X. Gleed and Simeon Allen.
ExCongressman Tyler presided over
the state convention yesterday and
these delegates were chosen: j. G.
Smith, RedfeId Proctor, Frederick
Billings and B. d. Harris. The alter
mates are Jed P. Clark, E. n. Bissell,
ID. c. Denison and S. d. Hobson.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1884-05-01
4 Wise Decision.

In withdrawing from the guberna-
torial race DR.. George Nichols took the
wisest course In fact, it was the only
thing left for him to do. The change
in public opinion came so quickly that
if was almost bewildcring, but none
the less settled. DIR. Nichols might
have continued in the field and gone
info the convention with strong back
ing. But it was becoming palmer
every day as the time drew nearer
that he could not be nominated. And
a defeat in the convention would have
beer far more humiliating than a with
drawal.
Having once decided on taking this
course. DIR. Nichols made the best of
it and drew out of the race in IL way
crcditablc to the shrewdest politician.
He claims that he has been the victim
of an nnscrupulous attack. Bat this
is notitrue. The opposition to him was
legitimate and actuated hy the best of
motives. If the charges against him
were untrue, he had every opportunity
to refute them.
DR.. Nichols writes very cordially to
Col. Pingrce. with whom he has long
been on pleasant personal terms. But,
while we would not miStruSt his mo-
tives, it looks very much as if he had
,,ntba, ,naSop fnr Sn doing I'm first
publishing the letter. the Free Press
said this showed that there was no
machine and supported its assertion
by coming out for l'ingree. But this
attempt to phil the WOO! over the peo-
pies eyes and bolster up the demon
allied ring is too apparent to he ef-
frctua And the inference so closely
followed the statement that many will
be led to believe the latter was inserted
to make room for the former.
On some accounts We regret that DR.
Nichols has felt it necessary to with
draw. The downfall of the ring would
have been assured by the open defeat
of its candidate in the convention ol
at the polls. Now they will doubtless
try to regain the power that is fast
slipping from their grasp.
But the people have taken long
step IN the way of independent prog
ress and it is doubtful if they can be
turned from their course.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1884-05-01
Letter from DIR. Nichols.
HE DECLINES TO BE A CANDIDATE FOR
GOVERNOR.

HE DECLINES TO BE A CANDIDATE FOR
GOVERNOR.
Mortified, Vt, April 81, 1884.
Hon. Samuel E. Pingree =
My dear sir: My friends have
been kind enough to present my name
us a candidate for the chief magistracy
of this state.
In the first instance, this was done
without my consent, and indeed with
out consultation with me. Since then,
numerous letters have been received
from different parts OF the state, to
many of which have replied, signify
ing my willingness to accept the nom
ination, if bestowed.
When my name was first mentioned,
it was not known, so far as am aware,
that your friends desired to bring yon
forward as candidate. OF late, how
ever, there seems to have developed a
strong interest in your behalf and
there has also developed in certain
quarters, an unprOvoked and unscrup-
ulOus attack upon myself. however
do not entertain the idea that you have
any completely in this latter movement,
as from our personal friendly relations,
do not believe you would counter
ance any such methods of political
warfare,
Now, while under other circumstan-
ces | should feel entirely willing to
take the issue with those parties aud
fight it out with them, confident that
could fully vindicate myself before the
public, / do not feel justified in the
present instance in entering upon any
such contest. | do not deny that it
would be an honor to receive at the
hands of this state, an election to the
highest office within their gift, provid-
ed such honor was conferred rs spon-
taneOus offering of a united party; but
to enter the list as candidate and
competitor with one of the same party
for whom | entertain profound respect
and high personal regard, and thus be
a means of disturbing the harmony of
the party to which | am strongly at
tached and to whose highest interests
| have hitherto devoted my best efforts,
is another thing, and were | to succeed
in the contest, would so far detraet
from the pleasure of holding the office,
as to render me unwilling to become a
patty to any such proceeding. Espec-
tally does this weigh with great force
with me at this present time. The APP
preaching presidential canvass is an
important one, there is an urgent de-
mand upon every republican in the
state to do all in his power to promote
entire harmony in the party. Yer
mont's distinguished senator and
statesman, is urged as a candidate for
the highest honor in the gift of the
American people, and it is the desire
and hope of every true son of Vermont,
that he may receive the nomination
and become the national standard
bearer of the republican party. In
this view nothing should be allowed to
disturb or distract the entire harmony
and most cordial good feeling in the
republican ranks of our state. 1t is
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1884-05-01

Gently and that SD. d. Harris would
be more agreeable to voters here than
Col. Hooker, owing in part to the char
acter of the latter's business
Concerning d. NJ. Camp for secre-
tary of state, the Reformer says: 'The
party can and undoubtedly will go.
much further and fare worse. Mr..
Camp is sometimes d little crotchety,
but lie made very efficient legislative
clerk. and he is a man OF sincerity and
independence, who would afford a
most agreeable contrast to the average
Vermont officeholder."
Even Esop's famous old fox could
get some points on the 'sour grapes"
question.
There is considerable talk about the
hotels of running Bliss n. Davis, the
famous old Danville war-horse, for
Congress. Mr.. Davis says that, although
it is quite the thing nowadays to de-
cline everything, he is "willin'"
DR.. Gates B. Bullard is getting ready
for the war-path and will doubtless
take the stump for Grout.
The democratic state committee will
meet at Burlington tomorrow evening
to decide the time and place of hold
ing the state convention,
The Free Press now boOms for Pin
gree, but it is so late that probably Nc
great harm will be done.
Noticing Editor Harris of the Index
acting as delegate in the republican
convention at Montpelier Tuesday one
was reminded of the old couplet amend
ed ''And while the lamp holds on
to burn any democrat may return"
1t is said on good authority tina
Lawyer Redington will stump the state
after capturing the democratic nomi
nation. HoOray ..
Mr.. Edmunds will get it now sure.
Conversation overheard in the Pa
vilion at Montpelier after the cOnven
ton: "Hello, Harris, are you II repub
lican7 You used to he democra
when you lived over here' al an
IA republican for revenue only" wa
the significant reply of the Inde,
editor.
Col. Pingree evidently knows how
to serve taffy on stick.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1884-05-01
Greeu Mountain Politics.

The men who have been brought out
for lieutenant governor are so weak
that a good many voters up this way
would like to cast their ballots for
such man as Judge 5. NJ. Dorr of
Rutland thorough independent, who
would give strength to the ticket.
Gov. Barstow doesn't seem to have
been so unwilling to so to Chicago
after all. But Ballard got away with
him.
The Phenix has some reason for
thinking the selection of Ballard and
Valentine ga weak beginning for II
strong Edmunds delegation"
Only a mean man will turn from a
friend in his time of need and we
hasten to inform our still esteemed
contemporaries, the Free Press, Mes
senger, Clipper and Argus, that they
have our heartfelt sympathy in this
hour of bereavement and sorrow. What
is their loss is somebody's else gain.
The dear Monitor can now say with
some reason that there is no ring.
To the Free Press: Your boom was
great success. Accept eongratula
lions.
The letter is like the doctor-genial.
1t seems to he all plain sailing now.
No, dear Inquirer, we are not at all
well posted on the subject of "boiled
crow but if you desire definite infor-
nation us 10 how it affects spring di-
gestion, it might be well to address the
/ Messenger. st. Adams, Vt.
The west-side papers can now return
! to their former booming of Edmunds.
! That is safe at any rate.
We thought it would have to come
and it has. Warren c. French OF Wood
stock is l'meutioned" for Congress.
Now. Col Mead
a White River correspondent of the
Reformer says Gen. w. w. GrOut has
been "viewiug the landscape DER" re-
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1884-05-01

therefore with the utmost cOrdiality
and in the conviction that the highest
interests of the party in the state will
be subserved thereby, that | withdraw
my name entirely from the contest,
and most heartily unite with your
many friends in supporting you for
the position to which you aspire.
In coming to this determination, /
have considered the matter independ-
emily of my friends and without OPP
portunity to confer with them to any
extent yet am confident of their APP
prevail of my action and will cordially
unite with me in giving you their sup
port.
Grateful to the people of the state
for their many expressions of conf
dence in me and wishing you success
in the position to which am confident
you Will be promoted by the unani
nous voice of the party, am,
Yours very truly,
GEORGE NICHOLS.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1884-05-01
VernOnt'S Delegation.

This states delegation to the nation
al convention at Chicago, June 3 is
now made up. ii comprises j. O..
Smith. RedfieId Proctor, Frederick
Billings aud b. u. Harris at large,
Henry Ballard aud \. b. Valentine
from the first district and b. F. Fitield
and T. {. Fletcher from the second
district.
1t was conceded at the opening of
the campaign that the candidacy OF
Mr.. Edmumds made it obligatory upon
Vermont to send strong men to the
convention. Aud it Is pity that this
idea could uat have been developed.
for Edmunds will need the best posi-
BILE support to stand the ghost of a
show.
The first three gentlemen elected
will have some weight. The others
are bright men aud well known in the
state. but outside of Vermont they are
nnheard of.
The moral of the whole lameutable
affair is that the Office doesn't have to
scurry around very lively after the
man in this year Of political progress.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1884-05-01
Edmunds and Blaine.

The New York Tribune with its
usual sense Of justice and fairness is
irving to tattoo" Edmunds as Puck
has pictured Blaine and the effort has
proved what the Barton Monitor would
call lameutahle failure. Congressman
Phelps had IL long letter in the Tribune
trying to prove that Mr.. Edmunds was
concerned in stock -iobbing operations
with Blaine.
Senator EdmundS very naturally felt
called upon to say 1.-The whole thing
is a subject that | care nothing about
save for the feelings of the gentlemen
who, without consultation with me,
have maintained that had led a rath-
er correct life in Congress, which | am
happy to say is true in every instance
and every respect"
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1884-05-01
A Regal Banquet.

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St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1884-05-01
Yours truly,
G.. l.. ROBINSON.

Repty.-The above are fair questions
and shall have candid answers. As
regards the first question: By no
means. 1t is true however that the
law does not entirely prohibit; neither
does the law against theft, burglary,
adultery, DEMONSTRATING and arson.
Yet the laws against these crimes are
not called failures.
o. Perhaps the prOhibitory law is
as thoroughly enforced in Caledonia
county as in any portion of the state.
1t is easier to convict of rumselling
in the courts here than of any other
crime on the statute book. This will
seem IA strong statement, and will be
denied probably by some people who
do not stop to think. But have the
testimony of an eminent lawyer who
has had large practice and experience
with the prohibitory law that such is
the fact. OF course there is difficulty
many times with the witnesses in liquor
suits, but with fair evidence conviction
is almost sure.
The above answers your questions,
and | believe truthfully yet without
explanation a wrong impression might
be gained by some people out of the
state 1t is true that in many towns
of our state liquor can be obtained by
those who know where to go for it !;
but it is not true that "whisky can be
gotten in the larger Vermont towns as
easily as in Jacksonville" for the good
reason that here liquor selling is a
crime, punishable by fine or imprison-
ment, while in Jacksonville | infer it
is a Legitimate business.
1t is true, perhaps, as the corre-
spondent of the Times Union says, that
in s'every town of magnitude in Yer
mont liquors are sold to travellers"
| presume this correspondent need not
have limited the size of the towns.
These ''travellers'' are mainly CITY
drummers, and somehow whisky seems
to be necessity to their life.
1 think it the general impression of
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1884-05-01
Vermont News.

The resignation of George II. Bige-
low Us pOstOtiice inspector has been
accepted by Postmaster General Ores
ham.
A man named Weatherbee is under
arrest i'll Rutland for an alleged assault
with intent to kill Charles Butterfly.
Timothy Paige, the boss dyer in the
Proctorsville wooden mill, dropped
dead with heart disease, while ut work
the 23d, aged about 20.
An old man upwards of eighty years
old, by the name of Mills, who has
been living entirely alone in the back
part of AndOver, away from any trav-
eled road, was found dead upon the
floor of his house few days ago. Ex-
animation proved that he was entirely
destitute of provisions and fuel pre-
senting a sad case of suffering and
starvation in this land of plenty.
Mrs. Eliza Adams of Rockingham
was injured, perhaps seriously, by be-
ing thrown from n carriage in North
Chester.
futile 81 Co., the old job-printers
and book sellers at Rutland have or
ganized a corporation with 10000
capital to be known as the futile COM
pany. The present partners owu all
the stock, and the business will remain
unchanged.
1t really begins to look as though
BrattleborO would have its big dam
after all, and the beautiful town be
turned intoa second Holyoke They
have paid an engineer $500 to investi-
gate the project and he reports the
thing entirely feasible and that the dam
can be finished for $4,000. 1t is es-
timated that the land damages and ca
mails would cost S65, 900 more, and they
are now watching for the river to 90
down i'll order to estimate how much
land the dam would food at high wa
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1884-05-01
Br-r-r. j

makes us tired.
Boston Journal correspondence The
mourners will please be seated while
we pass the hat.
Woodstock Standard, wiping its
lips: Yes, thanks, We have enjoyed a
very good dinner.
Montpelier Angling old Patriarch ::
Now let the judicial ermine be soiled
and We shall be happy.
Landmark: Royal, please lend us
four quarts of italics, II peck of small
caps aud bushel of caps.
Barre Enterprise song and dance ::
Mary had "A little lamb, little lamb, lit
tie lamb. Mary had little ha-a-a.
Richford Gazette: Hip, hip, hip
but it's no use. The English language
isn't up to snuff on such occasions.
Bennington Banner minstrel song /:
When the leaves begin to fall and the
breezes softly blow, we will meet you
at the bar.
Morrisvile News Our Washington
correspondence will he found unusu-
ally interesting this week and our local
columns are also quite full.
! Free Press: 1t affords us much re-
gretfnl pleasure under the existing cir
cumstances, which might have been
different, to announce that snch being
the case however strange and yet natu-
raj it may seem, therefore i'll this state
as in all other states, which and 50 on
to the end of the chapter
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1884-05-01
Appropriate Comment.

Our exchanges have been sadly neg
lected the past week. but we can easily
imagine what might have been said.
Thus -
Bradford Opinion At last.
Newport Express Yum, yum.
Christian Messenger: Let us pray.
Monitor bass solo: Almost but lost.
Reformer: Yankee doodle, doodle do.
Rutland Herald: Alas, poor YOrick !!
st. Johnsbury Index: We knOwed it..
Bellows Falls Times Pity tits, It's
true. -.....
Phenix Sorry, but we've just got
here.
Watchman: We did it with our lit
tie Ratchet.
Messenger: Empty is the cradle,
baby's gone.
Swanton Courier: And the villains
still pursued her.
North Star Shades of our ancestors
let us have peace
NeIgennes Nermonter: 1t dropped
with dull, sickeniDg thud.
Ponltney journal in b-f1at: Fa-a-
arewell, farewell, my own true love.
joyful Springfield Republican II
was surely bread upon the waters.
Northiield News: 1t has been rather
rainy for a profitable sugar season.
Clipper -
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1884-05-01

in the meeting, also nominated Major
Bonett for one of the delegates man
who does not claim to be a republican
and IN several ways showed unmis-
takably that he was "runningn that
caucus for definite purpose. But in
spite of all this only about one-halt
the delegates chosen were of the kind
Dunnett's party wanted, and good deal
of diplomacy was needed in securing
substitutes for those who could not at
tend the convention. This work was
also adroitly done.
Meanwhile Col. Fletcher approached
delegates and others in this town and
frankly said to them that if Judge PO-
land or ex-Gov. Fairbanks were to be
in the field lie would not be "a candi-
date, but if young man without ex-
perience or national reputation was to
be chosen he would like to go to Chi
cago. This was fair aud honorable.
The day before the convention the
delegates from this town favorable to
Col. Fletcher's candidacy, together
! with several from other towns, went tn
Montpelier and completed the pipe
laying by seeing the delegates from
other counties and representing that
Caledonia had no candidate to present
but Fletcher; and Lieut.-GOv. Hinck-
ley of Chelsea completely gave the
case away when he said in open con
vention that the plan WAS to elect FL
field and Fletcher for district delegates
and Billings and B. D. Harris for dele
gates at large. The sturdy Scotch
sense of Samuel Mills of Ryegate re-
volted against this trade and he had
the courage to get up and say so, but
was soon coughed and scuftled dow
by the party of fixers, and neither Po
lands nor Fairbanks's name was pre-
scented.
1t was announced in the Washington
county caucus before the convention
that Caledonia had no candidate t.
name but Fletcher and that they SHOULD
second Fifeld's nomination with thu
expectation of return favors. Thit
was all carried ont.
When the bulk of the delegates
reached Montpelier Tuesday noon they
were told that the delegates had al
ready held county caucusses and haC
. settled on Fifield and Fletcher, which
was true, and although there were ;
I great many disappointed and disguised
, ones it was too late to undo what ha'
been done, although many went hOm'
f feeling that they had been Outgener
allied if not betrayed, and that the del
4 egation to Chicago is not so strong a
, it should have been.
The above is plain, unvarnishet
tale of the true inwardness of the dis
f trict convention, written with malic
toward none, but in the interest of re
form in politics and political methods
We expect some Jack -the-bOx vii
4 pop up and make up faces and perhap
shout sour grapes. To all such til
q CdledOnian most serenely announce
that it is fond of sour grapes, and as
p has no friends to reward or enemies t
4 punish it proposes to fight political
rings and rum rule to the end. To b
|, continued.