Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1888-06-08
JUDGE GRESHAM.


Mr.. Lincoln was interviewed in Chicago
last week, just before his departure for
Europe, where he goes for short vaca.
ton, intending to return in time to take a
hand in the political campaign. He said
With the issue of free trade as squarely
before the people as President Cleveland
has placed 1t, it seems to me there is no
question OF the success of the republican
party this year, if the Chicago convention
makes Wise selection of a standard bear
En- My relations with Judge Gresham have
been very close and intimate for a number
| of years, ever since he was called into Pre-
sldent Arthur's cabinet as postmaster gen
tral, ana know that he combines with
an eminent fitness and ample ability for
the high position with which his name
has been connected, AN avaiabilityas n can
date which do not believe is possessed by
any other American citizen. Asa younp
man he was distinguished leader, and the
estimation of his military services by his
compeers and superiors was high. His
pubic services as jurlst and statesman
since the war have been signally marked
by the value they have been to the country
and me hearty appreciation they have
won. His ability TO profit by the wide
range OF experience IS not doubted by any
one. lie Is pre-tminently Il practical cv-
e!y-uay, common sense American citizen
Ia AL matters that came for general dis
cuss!on during the time that we were col
leagues. there was no member of the cabi-
net whose opinion on any public matter
was more clearly and concisely and
promptly given, or carried with il more
weight than did Judge Gresham's. He is
a quick, clean and safe thinker and when
he expresses an opinion it is one that can
be depended on. His practical sense as
well as his wide experience as a LAWYER
made him an adviser to be trusted, and be
was held in high esteem both by the presi.
dent and his colleagues.
President Arthur, who was himself n
wise and prudent man, illustrated his con
hdence in Judge Gresham very forcibly
when, upon the much lamented death OF
Judge Folger, he asked him to consent to
he transferred to the treasury department
so nat he held two of the most important
portfolios i'll that administration Few, If
any cabinet officers, ever stood higher in
tne councils OF an administration than did
Judge Gresham in the Arthur admins
tratiop. He is an earnest republican, and
IL Is dlllcuit TO imagine any good excuse
which could be raised for mugwumpism
in campaign with such Il leader There
is little need to say anything of him as a
Judge, for his reputation is so well known
both from the Importance of his position
AS presiding Judge of the most important
judicial circuit in the United States, and
also from the magnitude OF the litigation
which comes before him
lts my belief that with Judge Gresham
as candidate the republican party will he
In power again next March, and that We
Will have clean illustration of the differ
ence between sham reform and real re-
FORM, Tor, whatever Judge Gresham would
or would not do as president, one thing il
certain, he would not proclaim one course
OF action and constantly and persistently
do the exact reverse. 1t would require
no close watching to know what the poll
cy or Gresham administration would be
and when that policy was defined it would
be carried out.
A Chicago friend, in whose political sa-
gacity we have great confidence, writes
The judge is capturing the West. and
think New England had better investi-
gate him, as he bears it, and will develop
available qualities from any standpoint.
AS Vermont generally votes right in con-
ventions, it certainly can make no mistake
in examining the clear title which Gresh-
am bears. Pardon me for these sugges.
tons, as doubt not they have all been an
ticipated by the wise men of the noun
tains.