The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1884-05-07
The State Convention.

o' toh CiOCh, anu bU6CteO Hu
ganization by the choice OF Hon. ]. M. Tyler Of
Brattleboro for chairman. Mr. Tyler addressed
the conveption as follows: " ! sincerely thank
the state committee and you for the high honor
OF being selected to preside over your delibera-
tions. | have had but little experience as
presiding officer, and must therefore crave
your patience, forbearance and cooperation
In the performance Of the duties OF the chair
but speak the sentiment of every republican
in Vermont when / say that 1t is our sincere
desire that our distinguished senator, Hon
George F. Edmunds, shall be standard-bearer
OF our party in the coming contest. APP
plause While he is known, honored and
loved by every Vermonter, his fame Is not con-
fined to Vermont. His name is widely known
and is everywhere synonym for Intellectual
power and moral purity. we honor and sup
port him because he has honored us and has
helped to make our small Green Mountain
state one OF the most powerful states in the
senate; because he can carry the doubtful
states; because he will have the vote Of every
republican and OF every independent voter;
because his ability, integrity and long expert
ence qualities him for the highest office on
earth; because II elected as he will be IL nomi-
mated, he will give us wise, strong and Just
administration, which will ensure security to
the great business interests Of our land. On
the issue OF free and fair elections, and pro-
lection Of American labor, and with Edmurds
and Lincoln as our leaders, we can march 10
certain victory. Applause] Gentlemen, l
trust we shall not adjourn without expressing
our approval OF the administration of President
Arthur. Called to the presidency, under most
trying circumstances, he has given the country
one of the best administrations 1t ever had
an administration 80 good that it has made 1t
possible that the next administration may be
republican"
H. f. Parker OF Bradford and w. w. Stick
ney of Ludlow were elected secretaries The
reading Of the roll of delegates was begun by
the secretary of the state committee, Hon. c.
S Page Of Hyde Park, but was dispensed with
on motion Of Hon. J. L. Martin of Brattleboro,
as needless formality and for the dispatch Of
business. j. Gregory Smith of St. Albans,
Redfeld Proctor Of Rutland, Frederick Billings
OF Woodstock and Broughton D. Harris Of Brat
tleboro were then nominated for deegates-at-
large, and elected by reclamation, without an
opposing vote. Each name was received with
applause. Public sentiment had evidently
ripened, and the convention would have made
quick work with the chief business of the as
sembly but for the eulogistic speeches with
which some Of the delegates seem to have been
loaded and which they persisted in firing off, in
spite of repeated calls OF Question question"
The brefest and most felicitous of the
speeches was that of Hon. d. G. Dennison Of
Royalton, nominating Hon. Frederick Billings.
The presentation of Mr.. Billings name was
received with burst of long-continued ap-
plause, which was especially noticeable for its
evident genuineness and for the warm goodwill
with which 1t was inspired. Mr.. Harris name
was also received with marked cordialty. In
seconding the latter genpemsns nomination,
Hon. l. G. Hinckley of Chelsea sustained his
reputation for bright wit and at the Same time
gave the prosy orators a good-natured rub
by remarking All over Vermont we see on
highway bridges a long quotation from the
statutes prescribing penalty for driving faster
than walk across the bridge but over among
the simple people OF Canada the sign reads
Walk or pay two dollars Orange county is
solid for Harrisv' This pertinent sally brought
down the house. Mr. Harris was elected by
rousing uiUd uoce vote. and speech-making for
the remainder of the session underwent salu-
tary abridgement. Jed P. Clark of Milton. E.
N. Bissell OF Shoreham, D. C.. Dennison Of Roy
alton, and S. D Hobson Of Brighton were unan-
| imously elected aternates. Mr.. Woodbridge
Of Vergennes enlivened the desultory proceed
| ings attending the choice OF alternates by re-
| marking OF Mr.. Bissell, who Is an extensive
| sheep farmer, that he would be In Chicago at
| the time of the convention and would work for
Edmuuds till sent for, next spring, to come home
| and shear his sheep. The committee on reso-
lutions reported the following:
Re,olued, In behalf of the republicans OF Vermont,
party which accomplished the preservation recon
sactio9 Of the Union has upheld the national honor
| and given u1ex ,mpled prosperity to the country.
worthy past; but that Il must ever and increasingly be
party OF progess able to meet issues as they arise
methods OF administration eager to promote purity
strict economy and fidelity in the public service prompt
Resolved, That the mission of the party will not be
ended III every voter in the land shall be protected in
counted ard till the Improvement Of the civ-service,
aud capable officials shall have reasonable security Of
tenure congressman be relieved from importantly for
pendepce on the favor of congressman.
Resopsd. That we approve that system Of protection
the wages of labor and at the time reduced the
cost Of living to and in particular we desire
as shall restore the prosperity of those important
Resolved That the condition of the public treasury
warrants further reduction of taxation; and that Il
should be so directed as to relieve and cRespen articles
of necessity and OF wholesome rather than luxuree
RESOLVED That present to the republicans OF the
Union George F. Edmnnds. as the embodiment of these
Of what best 10 the republican faith as one whose
session OF the country rather than of any
tom and one whose aggressive integrity large ability
for the chief magstracy; and whose nomn
will , be sure r, promise and sign Of success;
stration OF President Arthur as just conservative and
free fr9m IePIoach
they hereby are instructed to vote for Mr. Edmunds
long as his name shall be before the national convention
and TO use all honorable means to secure his nomination
In response to loud calls, ex. Governor Proctor
briefly addressed the convention. He said II
might be thought in some parts Of the country
presumptuous for 80 small state as Vermont
| 10 present n candidate for PRESIDENT but III the
state is to be measured by its repubicanism,
where will you find a greater 1t may be
| thought, too, that a candidate should be taken
from doubtful state. Perhaps so; but we
would not have Vermont doubtful If all of us
| could become presidents. When a man was
needed to head the army at Cedar Creek, aud
providence sent him at the right time, did any
body think or care whether he came from a
large or small state Vermont was repub-
lican state before the formation of the party
indeed, as far back as when Vermont Judge
declared that nothing short of bill OF sale
from the Almighty could give suitor who
was before him title to property in man, and
when Henry Clay found that his doctrine of
protection to American industry was received
nowhere more cordially than among the agri-
cultural but intelligent inhabitants Of the
Green Mountains, Such r state il fit home
for such candidate as George f. Edmunds
| But 1t is not as Vermonter that we present
him. His service has been, as his fame has
become, co-extensive with the country. 1t
may be his misfortune that we cannot do more
for him, but 1t is our rare good fortune that we
can do so well for the country as to offer a
man who Is in every respect fit to be president
OF the American people
Hon. w. W. Grout was called for. He briefly
responded, saying that 1t is the chief glory
OF our system OF government that while states
are factors the people are nation. Upon their
intelligence aud loyalty depends everything.
| They say, Which Is the safer party to be
trusted and upon the party, more than upon
any man, depends success. But the better the
party, the better its choice, and II republicans
would secure the confidence OF the whole coun-