Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1890-03-14

they are TO serve is well known. aud eau
Gus was suggested and agreed to The his
tory Of the contest which follow ed is too
recent 20 need recalling The fight was a
hot aud exciting one Both sides used every
means 70 win and hold adherents. aud the
interest equalled, and even exceeded, that
felt in the closest political canvass A
large vote was polled aud in spite Of the
personal aud partisan feeling which was
aroused Mr. Childs received a substantial
majority.
Upon the general course Of those who
opposed Mr. Childss reappointment his
supporters made no adverse criticism The
sincerity and the legitimacy Of their belief
that. under a Republican administration
Republican should hold the Brattleboro
post Office, were not questioned. The only
claim made was that those who wished to
see the spirit Of civil service reform exem-
plfed in the Brattleboro post.ofiice were
at least as sound in their Republicanism,
and as well sustained 10y the declared prin-
ciples Of the party, as were those who took
the opposite view. The mistake which wus
made was as We believe, in continuing the
fight after the caucus was over, and in try
ing to overthrow its result Such a course
was contrary to all ordinary political pro
cedure, and would, if persisted in, destroy
all united and effective political effort out
side Of Brattleboro the result Of the caucus
was at once accepted a. conclusive.
We believe, moreover. that our Vermont
delegation weakened their own position by
not adhering 10 their first determination
not 70 further consider the subject unless
fraud could be shown. But on the other
hand there is the satisfaction of knowing
that the fullest opportunity was given for
bringing out every possible fact. 80 that no
reflection can he cast upon the legitimacy
Of the success which has finally come to
Mr.. Childs's supporters.
4 very high measure Of credit is due
Gen. Circuit for the sound, open and manly
course which he has pursued in this matter.
1t is an open fact that it would have been
more satisfactory to him personally, as it
would have been to the other members Of
the Vermont delegation, if a Republican
had been presented for recommendation as
postmaster at Brattlehoro, but the viii Of
our people having been once expressed he
held unhesitatingy that that viii should be
carried into effect. and to ths end his in
fiuence was steadily and consistently used
That President Harrison showed no hesita-
ton in redppointing a tried and ap-
proved Democratic official is good evi-
dence that he has consistent regard for
the declared principles of the party which
elected him TO office.
This contest has been the most notable
of its kind ever waged in Vermont, or. as
we believe in New England When all
the personal feeling which it has engen-
dered has died away it will be found to
have been a contest waged on principle,
and for the right of the majority 10 rule in
local affairs. 1t is the sincere hope of ev-
cry man who engaged IN it that its results
will prove it TO have been fight worth the
making. Its progress has been watched
with deep interest by hundreds Of commu-
mites both near and remote and if We mis-
take not the influence Of its outcome upon
the Republican party will be seen in better
and more bipartisan official service, and
in higher plane Of thought and action in
the practical treatment aud operation of
the civil service Of our government.