St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1890-01-30
TIKI, BRA TTLEBORO POST OFFICE.

Col. kittredge Haskins and Col. J.
|. Estey, who went to Washington
to represent the petitioners who
have asked for Capt. Childs' reap
pointment as postmaster at Brattle-
boro, sent word by telegraph on
Wednesday evening that the Yer
mont delegation had decided to refer
the matter back for decision III a eau
Gus of republican patrons to be held
under instructions to be forwarded.
While this action of the delegation
seems to be needless one, in view OF
the strength of the petition for Capt.
Childs, it puts the matter to hnal
and decisive test in way which ev-
cry one of his supporters will be glad
to accept A careful inspection OF
Capt. Childs' petition shows that 1T
contains the names of about 1892
patrons, of whom SO are republl-
cans, and $50 are democrats; SO
business firms are in the list and 90
old soldiers, large majority OF all IN
town. On such showing the need
of a caucus is not apparent, and
without further explanation 1t is not
easy to see why the delegation has
| taken this course, or has deemed 1t
necessary to ask for further express
sion of public sentiment. If they
think this large majority of Brattle-
boro republicans don't know their
own minds, or have asked for some
thing with their eyes shut, they are
mistaken.
1t is undeniable that the original
movement for Capt. Childs' reap
pointment was a spontaneous one,
started by republicans because they
appreciated the fact that a rarely eft1-
cient postal service had been enjoyed
under him, and because they wished
itcontinued, feeling at the same time
that his re-appointment would DC
only a just recognition OF faithful
and meritorious service. Beyond al
this, it was also believed by these re
publicans that his re-appOintment
would be a wise act from pollt1ca
point of view, because it would bt
exactly in the line of the real spirit o
civil service reform, and 1t woult
show that, whatever might be the
course of the party at large, local re
publicans were prepared to act q:
they had talked.
There had been no diminutiOn o
this sentiment i'll the year that Thu
movement has been in progress, bu
on the contrary it has grown stead
lily stronger, and it is significant tina
since the caucus movement was mad
the friends of Mr. Childs appear tt
be united in their determination tt
stand firmly by their principles t.
the end Is they do this-and the,
owe it to themselves and to thel
own reputation for consistency ant
good faith to do it-their overwhelm
ing triumph is assured.
The caucus should be held in sucl
a way that every voter may have
chance to cast his vote at his owl
convenience, and without being uI1
der the espionage of any person, am
without having his political fealt.
impeached, whichever way he votes
1t should be an afternoon caucus, eS
tending well into the evening, SO tina
the farmers from outside and the vi
;; 1age working-men may be alike cor
venienced.
Numerous compromise candidate
: will be suggested, and the cry will b
/ raised that this IS republican &C
ministration and a republican is Ell
! titled to the office. The fact remain:
however, that the supporters {
Capt. Childs' re-appointment hav
undertaken to act from principle
/ and from a sincere conviction {
l what they believe will be good pol
tics in the end. They are not til
l kind of men to be easily frightene
e or stampeded. and if they stand fir
i and stand together they will demon
D strate in very conclusive way til
: right of the majority to rule in locs
e affairs Brattleboro Phoenix, R
+ publican.
e People desiring friends have onl
: to tell it abroad that somebody he