The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1886-06-23
The State Convention.

nelu u larger convention III any so-
called off year, or one made up of bet
ter material, than that of last Wednes-
day. Probably no convention in recent
years has had so large a number of
prominent men present as delegates.
The proceedings were much more har-
monious than had been expected and
indicated earnest work for the party
irrespective of personal preferences.
The contests over the nominations
for governor and lieutenant-governor
though spirited, were not particularly
acrimonious, and we trust that the re-
suit will be accepted in each case with
entire good feeling.
In the earlier hours of the evening
before the convention it was apparent
that neither of the chief candidates for
governor was well assured of majority
of votes on the first ballot. There is
little doubt that at later hour the mat
ter was substantially fixed by COM
bination between the supporters of Mr..
Ormsbee and Colonel Fairbanks re-
spectively, for Mr.. Ormsbee's vote
came within six of the number which
his friends claimed for him. This
arrangement worked smoothly for his
interests, and but for the convention
taking recess after his nomination it
might have been successful venture
for Colonel Fairbanks. 1t is evident
that Mr.. Batchelder's strength as a
candidate had, from various causes,
been waning for some time, and no one
seemed much surprised that he did not
receive larger vote. If there had
been no choice on the first ballot it is
probable that Judge Poland would have
developed much strength, though his
nomination might not have been pos
sible'in any event. If there had been
several ballots without choice, then it
is very possible that Judge Veazey
would have been accepted as compro-
mise candidate by large majority of
the convention. 1t does not appear
that General Wells had any desire or
expectation of being candidate, as
some have believed, but if he had con-
scented to the use of his name he would,
doubtless, have received large vote.
Hon. Hugh Henry, whose chances for
the nomination for acknowledgement
looked quite promising two weeks ago,
did not develop the strength his friends
had expected, and he did wisely in
taking himself out of the canvass.
With the candidate for governor the
republicans of the state have little rea-
son to feel dissatisfied He has served
in the legislature and as lieutenant
governor with ability and fidelity, and
we doubt not that he will fill the
executive chair with credit to himself
and honor to the state.
The nominee for acknowledgement
can felicitate himself upon having
carried off the honor in the face of
many adverse circumstances. Very
little work had been done in behalf of
Colonel Fuller's candidacy outside of his
own county before Tuesday evening;
then his friends took bold of the mat
ter with zeal and persistency. 1t was
known on Wednesday morning that
they had made considerable progress,
though it was feared that the combina-
ton against him was too strong to be
easily broken. But whatever good
prospects Colonel Fairbanks may have
had of securing the nomination were
ruined by the injudicious remarks OF
the gentleman who put him in nomina-
ton, while Colonel Fuller was more
fortunate in the presentation speeches
made in his behalf. Colonel Hooker's
assurance that If Colonel Fuller should
receive the nomination he would make
no claim to the governorship two years
hence undoubtedly gave him large
number of votes. The nomination OF
Colonel Fuller should be acceptable to
all classes of republicans. He is gen.
tleman of high character, an excellent
business man and a thorough-going re-
publican, and will make an admira
BILE presiding officer. The incumbents
of the other state offices-Treasure
Dubois, Auditor Powell and Secretary
of State Porter-were each worthily hon
ored with denomination by acclama
ton.
The resolutions, which were adopted
by the convention without debate or al
opposing vote, will not evoke much
disapproval. There was no reference
made to Senator Edmunds in the con
vention. A few radical persons from
the west side came with the purpose O.
putting in resolution of endorsement
but they soon found that the Edmund
men in other sections of the state were
more conservative and sagacious OF
this question and that there were NOR,
and ADLER anti-Edmunds men among
the delegates than they had expected
to see, and so they refrained from car
rying out their intention. The anti
| Edn,undo man had No daeion nf ;ntro