The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1888-02-08
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY s, 1888.
The GOvernOrship.

The serenity of the Brattleboro
Ph@nir is ruflled because the WATCH
MAN punctured the Harris boom (what
there was of iD at the critical time.
Our readers will remember that we
gave some reasons why Mr.. Harris
would not be Il strong and judicious
candidate for the Vermont republicans
this year, and we are assured that
many republicans regard them as suf-
ficient; and there are also other con-
siderations of no less importance which
would strengthen that conviction. We
have no desire to make personal con-
test over Mr., Harris candidacy. 1t is
proper to say, however, that he is not
fortunate in the character of some of
his support, for the gentleman who
came here last month and doomed Mr.
Harris with all his might and main
prejudiced the cause of his candidate
by declaring that he (he boomer)
would not vote for Mr.. Blaine under
any circumstances. We presume that
Mr.. Harris is a much better republican
than his {" boomer" but the impression
created is not favorable. If Mr.. Harris
should secure the nomination he would
probably receive the support of all re-
publican papers, if not of all republic
can voters, in the state, for this is a
year when the party should not be
weakened by bolts and discussions af-
ter the nominations are made. 1t has
been said by one of his ardent sup
porters that if elected governor Mr..
Harris would make it hot for the rail-
roads" We do not think the people
of Vermont want a man for governor
who will make it either hot or cold,
hard or soft, for the railroads or other
corporate interests, but they want a
man of conservative and rational views
on these questions and who will deal
justly and impartially by all the i'm
portant interests of the state.
Now we do not object to Mr.. Harris
being candidate for the governorship,
but we do object to his friends assum-
ing that no one else has the right to
suggest another candidate. 1t is unde-
niable that the Harris boom was set in
motion last summer, and since that
time no effort has been spared by his
partisans to " fix things" Not long
ago we received letter from a Wind
ham county gentleman asking if the
WATCHMAN could not give It's support
to Mr.. Harris, and we learn that others
have been the recipients of like in
quiries. We find no fault with this
proceeding, but simply claim that the
friends of other candidates have the
same undoubted right to "put in
work" for their favorites.
We must further protest against hav-
ing the movement to put another can
didate in the field ascribed to "riug "
or "railroad " influence. This is the
old and tattered scare-crow which a
malcontent faction sets up every two
years, but we doubt if it proves very
serviceable this time. The only " ring"
of which we have any knowledge is the
one formed last summer to start Mr..
Harris in the race for the governor
ship. 1t originally comprehended a
wide range of objects, but it has now
shrunk to small proportions. We know
of many prominent republicans who
have expressed their preference for
Mr.. Dillingham; or Colonel Fuller for
the governorship who have no connec-
ton whatever with any corporation or
political "ring" and never had. All
this talk about Z" ring influence " in the
mention OF other names than Mr..
Harris for the governorship is the
veriest bosh. 1t is the familiar device
of the demagogue to throw dust in the
eyes of the people to conceal his selfish
schemes. In this matter the WATCH.
MAN has no other motive than to serve
the best interests of the republican
party in the state and nation. This is
the plain truth, but of course the
Harris organs will continue to lie about
it; for if they did not they would be
dispensing with good part of theil
political stock in trade, and then what
would the poor things do for sub,
stitute?
In conclusion we would like to ash
the PhoeniD why, if it is so much op
posed to efforts /" to forestall, or cir
cumvent, or manufacture public opinion
by specious communications, it ha
not used its influence to restrain Mr.
Harris and his Montpelier organett'
from resorting to these practices
Certainly what is considered fair AM
proper for one side to do is equally fai
and proper for the other.
Democratic Distractions.
Two months aoo the prOspact an