Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1889-12-13
s,o.1h ~ YAM Conv;c,,o,.

1t has been announced this week that
petition is to be circulated for the appoint
ment of Mr. Thomas Harmon to succeed
Capt. Childs as postm aster in this place.
This means of course, that All active effort
will be made to prevent the disappointment
of Mr. Childs, which more than 1000 pa
irons Of the Brattleboro office have asked
to have done. The field is open and the
movement is an entirely legitimate one,
but in Justice to that very large majority
of our people, who have put themselves ON
record as favoring the disappointment of
Mr.. Childs. certain facts should be stated
1t is not true, as has been currently re
ported, that our Vermont delegation in Con
gress as whole, or Senator Edmunds in
particular, has declared that Mr. Chldss
disappointment is an impossibity, that the
name of no Democrat will he considered,
and that the place will be given to some
Republican, especially if an old soldier.
Whatever letters have been written by
Senator Edmunds have been written to
make clear his own position in the matter
and to make sure of good understanding
of the matter ON both sides, and for no
other reason No assurance as to what
action will finally be taken on this question
has been given to any person, for the very
good reason that the delegation has not yet
formally considered the matter Individ
ual assurances have, however, been given
that the case will have fair and candid con
sderation when the petitions are in, and
the proper time comes. So much the pub.
lie may accept as perfectly assured
Under these circumstances the duty be
fore those Republicans who have asked to
have civil service reform exemplified in
spirit as well as in letter by the redppoint
ment of Mr.. Childs, is plain If they still
wish for his disappointment they have simply
FOREMAN firm, holding to the ground which
they have already taken, and feeling as
sured that their petition will be duly con
sidered and their wishes respected by the
Vermont delegation and by the President
when the proper time comes. To begin to
listen to any other representations than
these, or to sign any other petition, would
he to fatally weaken their cause If any
Republicans views have changed, he is, of
course, entirely at liberty to act according
to that change. The case is one where ev-
cry man may act upon his own independent
convictions without having his personal
motives or his party standing questioned
or impugned. 1t is case, also, where
there is not the slightest occasion for arous-
ing personal feeling or personal antagonism.
The indications are today that Demo
cratic attempt will be made to make it ap
pear that Mr.. Edmunds, or the Vermont
delegation, has declared definitely against
Mr.. Childs's reappointment. The motive of
this attempt is plain. If made, its sole pur
pose will he the base one of manufacturing
"a little political capital
The only move made by the friends of
Mr. Childs has been to send in a summarized
statement showing that the names on his
petition represent more Than three JOurths
Of all the voters and of more than four ffths
Of al the Republican rOterS doing business
Mt the Bratteboro post.office, and that the
signatures represent at least nine tenths of
all business done at the office. Careful
scrutiny of the petition shows the names of
"a old soldiers upon it. On this showing
the signers of Capt, Childss petition can
well afford to stand firm, and place the final
responsibility in the matter where it be-
longs-on our Senators and Representatives
in Congress and the President