The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1886-06-09
Vermont Politics.
burlington Correspondence of the
New York Tribune.1


/ find that comparatively little preparation
has been made for the republican state con-
vention of seven hundred delegates, which
meets at Montpelier on the 10th. A we'll
defined feeling prevails that Vermont has
of late years not put her best men forward
politically Half a dozen are mentioned
now for governor whose names are not IA
milar outside of the state, and those who
know anything about Vermont know that
she has at her disposal good deal better
timber. They are all respectable, but it is
felt that in calibre, public experience and
personal influence they are not up to the
mark required. Among the latest candi-
dates for gubernatorial honors three judges
are mentioned-all men of large ability and
much familiarity with affairs-Judges Prout
and Veazey of Rutland and Judge Luke p.
Poland of Waterville. Judge Veazey went
to the war at the head of regiment and ac-
quilted himself with great credit. He after
ward rose rapidly in his profession, and has
now been Judge for many years. Judge
Poland is widely known and very popular.
For eighteen years he was Judge of the SUI
preme court of the state, and for five years
was chief justice; was one term member of
the United States senate and for ten years
member of congress. The nomination of
so prominent man as Judge Poland would
probably fill the expectations of republicans
all over the country, and it would be no
disparagement to any other candidate to be
superseded by one so widely known.
Will Edmunds be reelected next win
ter? 1t is not certain yet L asked a
prominent politician of Rutland on Monday
what the chances were, and he said " I
suppose he will have to go back to Wash
ington." Why have top 1 inquired.
" Because" he said, " republicans of other
states are believed to insist on it. We feel
very sore toward him because of his I'M
questioned agency in electing Cleveland,
when a single word at the right mo-
ment would have wheeled the disgruntled
stalwarts of New York into line; and we
do not think it is safe to overlook that great
offence. But if the welfare of the republic
can party depends upon it, we must choke
1t down and offer ourselves as a sacrifice. "
The result of this consciousness OF martyr
dom to the welfare of the party is an allen
veloping apathy that has settled down like
a cloud over the state. Here's the fix
we're in" said member of the last legs-
lature to me yesterday: eff we re-elect
Edmunds now, and then nominate Blaine
again for president Tor any other republican
for that matter), what assurance have we
that our senator will not refuse to support
the candidate? May he not reasonably say,
You have sealed with your approval my
former inaction and have thus commissioned
me to take the same attitude again?' What
safety is there in such relation" This
interrogatory represents a very deep-seateC
feeling in all parts of the state, which would
probably crystalline in action if there were
any strong man ready TO be put forward as
the leader of the revolt. But such men
when approached, say: No, it is not
question of persons but of principle; if Ed
munds' conduct is to be condoned, he viii
be his own successor; if it is not to be, Yer
mont is capable of making her own selec
ton" find no such unanimity against thu
return of Mr.. Edmunds as was promised
by a hot-headed Arlington agriculturist
Nearly two-thirds of the republican papers
of the state are actively or passively in hi
favor. All the democrats seem to be Ger
tain that he will be returned as matter o
course The present congressman, Stewar
and Grout, will get their seats again for tn
third term. Blaine was never so much be
loved and admired in Vermont as he is to
day, and republicans here regard his nom
ination in 1888 as certain as any event of tn
future can be.