Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1890-06-06
The Issue of the State Canvass.

The Issue of the State Canvass.
The canvass for the governorship is draw
ing to a close. 1t is distinct issue be-
tween two candidates. No third candidate
for the nomination has appeared, and the
time has passed when third name could
be presented with any effect. 1t is not a
question of party control. Both candi-
dates are good republicans. 1t is a choice
between two men, which with square and
honest minded men will be decided by their
records, character and comparative fitness
for the honor and the place. The compari
Son is toerably easy. One of the two
showed an early aptitude for business, be-
came while still young the manager of an
extensive barter trade on the frontier in
which he continued during the war for the
Union, with much pecuniary profit to
himself. Since the war he has be-
come the most extensive dealer in
green hides in the country which it is I'M
herstood has been and is largely profitable
to him. He has been prominent in civil
and political life. He has served in the
Legislature, has been inspector of finance,
and chairman of the State committee, and
In these capacities has acquired acquaint-
ance with public affairs, and a wide &C.
uuaintance with men throughout the State.
He is a friend of temperance and other good
objects. He is man of courteous address,
who meets everybody pleasantly. He is
smart, shrewd alive to the main chance
and generally wide awake.
The other started in life poor boy, with
no advantages of family or wealth. He
pushed his way to a fair education, selected
the trying and unselflsh profession of medi-
cine for his calling in life and had secured
his degree, when the flag was fired on and
war suddenly became the price of national
unity and honor, and the occupation of
a million of patriotic, highminded and loyal
young men of the North. He enlisted at
once, not for money and commission, but
as private soldier, at thirteen dollars
month. He was the first son of Vermont
10 give an arm to the cause of her coun try.
He suffered amputation and untold agony in
rebel prisons; came home manned and worm
but with his love Of country and devotion
TO the cause lessened not jot by his suffer
ings. Men were still wanted before his
stump had fairly healed, he was back in the
ranks of the nations defenders, and remain
ed doing brave and faithful service as a
soldier till the rebellion had been struck
down and the flag hoated over a restored
union. Incapacitated by his loss of an arm
TO practice a surgeon, to which branch
of his profession his attention had
been directed before he left it for
the army, he went into bust
ness showed marked executive ability.
was placed in positions of high responsible
ity and acquired means, influence, standing
as citizen, and the respect Of many friends.
Elevated to the second place in our State
government, he presided in the Senate with
dignity and ability. He has become fami-
liar with the State business and he has
saved money to the State treasury by his
efficient service on some responsible com
missions. His business training and natural
instincts made him a careful, economical
and efficient manager of affairs. He is not
born orator, but he speaks easily and
effectively when on his feet before an audi
ence. lie is temperance man by principle
and practice, and his support of temperance
and the law has undoubtedly cost him more
than it has any other man in the State
though he has never counted or considered
the dollars which his adherence TO his prin
ciples has cost him. He is a consistent
member of a Christian church, a frienC
Of education and of all good OBJ
jects; kind and charitable to the poor
an upright citizen, who accepts his share o
the burdens and responsibilities of the sup
port of law, order and all good institution
in republic.
Between the two men, the voters mus
choose We do not believe that the inter
ests of the State would suffer in the hand
of either of them; but without prelude
against or unfriendly feelings against tn
one first described, we say without hesita
ton that we propose to honor and to trus
the other.
But it is not wholly a choice of men
AS the canvass has proceeded, it has be
come evident to many voters that thei
decision also involved choice of methods
Those adopted by Mr. Page have been I'm
usual in our State. No previous candidat
for governor has ever gone as he ha