Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1886-04-02
THE PLoT TO DEFEAT EDMUHDs.



what ~ IL and who are In 49,
THE DEMOCRATIC MACHINE ACTIVELY At WORK
AGAINST EDMUNDs AND IN THE INTEREST or
sMtTH-THE DETAILS OF THEIR SECRET AND |
CONFIDENTIAL SCHEME"
Washington Letter from W. Z. b. to the Boston
Evening Record, March ISL
The visits Of several Vermonters here this |
month and letters that have been received
here prove conolusively that the movement
to defeat Senator Edmundss return to the
Senate is more formidable than the public has
believed. Within few days, it has somehow
been noised about the senate chamber that
such is the case, and the result is an interest
which reaches every person in that body.
For Mr.. Edmunds Is now in consecutive SER.
vice the oldest senator in that body. He
has for years been one Of the leaders among
the Republicans, the successor OF Lyman
Trumbul at the head Of the judiciary COM
mittee, and acting Vice President for two
years. Not one other man among the major
ity is there whose enforced withdrawal from
the Senate would be so unexpected as his for
Vermont has never proven uugrateful TO her
senators, aud it has been taken for granted
that be would continue to hold his seat until he
left it OF his own motion.
But the news that reaches here proves con-
clusvely that the forces at work against him
are active and strong They are just what
was predicted last October, only It is now
evident that not only some of the working
politicians among tue Republicans are engag-
ed, but also that the entire Democratic ma
chine is enlisted with them. This has been
denied, and the only authoritative statement
OF it WAS made some days since In the declara-
ton made to the writer by Mr.. Hiram Atkins,
chairman OF the Democratic state committee.
But it is the fact to which Nc. Eimunds's
friends are Just arousing. For while the Dem
ocrstic party IN Vermont is small, 1t can, in
many towns decide rs between two Rspubli-
cans who shall go to the legislature. The
plan is this fall TO have two Republicans in
the field aud rely upon the Democrats TO throw
the casting votes in favor of men who though
| possibly not known As SUCH will be nominal
! ed by the anti. Edmuuds men. This has
reached the ears OF Democratic senators, who
would like very well for party purposes TO see
him retired, and yet do not hesitate TO say
that it would be a disgrace to the Republicans
] to allow 1t to be doue. As to tbs Republi-
/ cans, save two or three who are Abnormally
wrought up over his course in the campaign
OF 1884, they would consider 1t tremendous
/ blow to see MIR. Eimunds fail Of r, ection to
satisfy the ambition and personal antagonIsm
| Of other men in the party.
The Republicans III Vermont ought 10 IN
derstand that the Democrats IN that state are
being vigorously worked up to the support Of
eH Governor Smith IS against Mr.. Edmunus.
! Smith has gone to Ne Xico, but the activity
and thoroughness Of the canvass in his behalf
is not abated. have seen within few days
letter, written by a prominent Democratic
! politician Of Vermont, and one, too, who re-
Gently expressed his hostility to the move
ment against Edmunds in which he makes a
report of the progress Of the anti Eimunds
work in his neighborhood. The letter goes
into the details OF the situation, telling Of the
outlook in different towns. OF one he says:
The town is Edmunds upon a canvass, and
1t will probably go Edmunds in September,
but have received the faith Of the Demo
Gratis and Mr. confdentially, that they
will, il there is a chance, kill an Edmunds
candidate for representative The matter is
confdentially arranged, aud can be relied up
on"
Speaking of another town this interesting
letter says: g., -, and - are the
leading Democrats in the town. could make
arrangements with them, provided new
Democratic postmaster can be appointed, so
that all can be right and the Democrats can
elect a Governor Smith man in that town, aud
it can be done go. This | know"
In another case reference is made to the
fact that the Republican postmaster controls
20 or 30 voters, and the belief Is stated that
Republican friend Of the governor could
reach the postmaster and presumably get him
to Join the anti Edmunds coalition. The
writer adds II am in earnest to defeat
Count Out Edmunds and the course he is
now taking. | go for the governor, as / sup
posed he was the only man against Edmunds.
Judge Powers | have heard named, but il
seems Governor $. would be 60 per cent.
stronger"
This letter affords an idea of what is going
on, and how shrewdly the Democratic organ
izatiou in Vermont is being used as well a.
the patronage which it controls 10 secure
quietly the anti Edmunds representatives to
tue legislature. Just how much progress has
been made is known only to the Smith people
and tin Democrats who are pulling the wires
but it is clear that this letter is only sample,
aud that the same operation is going on all
over the state. 1t is none too early for tn.
Republicans OF Vermont to understand the
situation, and TO know that the Democratic
managers are "Working secretly and conf
dentisliy," as this letter puts it, to help the
disafected Republicans defeat Senator Ell
munds, while these same Republicans are ad
vertising that they are making the fight IN
side the party because, forsooth, they are toe
loyal party men to be willing to see him re
elected
The fight against him, and no one car
longer deny it, Is really simply contest baseC
, upon nothing but the desire OF another mar
to get his position. This is the time selected
because of the feeling among certain Repnb
licaus that he did not take a sufficiently &C
, tive part in 1884. This feeling is not stronl
enough in itself to more than make a ripple
, in Vermont politics. But it deceives few
people, while the main strength OF the move
ment comes from the combination which ha
long possessed great influence in local poll
tics, but now for the first time seeks to steI
into the arena Of a senatorial election, Whel
it becomes of national interest.
: As for the Democrats OF Vermont, the,
e are largely in control Of few men, and thes
men see that II is for their advantage to hell
the Republican minority. Mr.. Atkins wa
very frank in saying so to me when be wa
here, and this letter affords convincing proof
It is fair enough politics for them, but th
Republicans OF Vermont who think only o
e the credit of their state ought not to be long
err in the dark as to just what the coalition
) to feet the defeat Of Mr.. Edmunds and tn
g substitution in bis place Of a man chosei
: largely by Democratic votes.