Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1890-05-23
WHY The PhGniS Does Net suppor, Gel.
Hanl4ae


la the Bellows Fails Times of last wax
there appeared letter on the congressional
question. signed "A Republican" and
dated at Brattlehoro. which stated WHY
ten. lirout ought to be defeated for a re
turn TO Congress, and gave list of reasons
why Col Hooker ought to succeed him
As this letter may be fairly presumed TO
set forth IN full the grounds on which Col.
Hooker makes his canvass, we reproduce il
entire IN another column. and take the oc.
casion to see how well grounded these
claims are
The reason given for Gen. CIRCUITS pro
posed retirement is that he is not Collamer.
fo1te, Morrill, or an E1munds Granted
But has ANYBODY discovered any symptoms
that Col Hooker would make himself
rival OF any of these illustrious names, II
So he should be given the place by all
means. If not, careful examination of
his qualifications, or lack of them. for
member Of Congress from Vermont will be
IN order. We have never, on our own
part, set up any extravaganza claims for
'ien. Circuit, nor have any of his friends
for him within our knowledge. We have
said that he was man of more than ordi-
nary ability aud fitness for his place. a
wellread man in political history and DO
htical economy, close student of public
affairs, and diligent, tireltss, conscien-
. tious worker, ambitious for himself and
ambitious 10 serve his constituents well
and none of these claims have ever been
seriously disputed However Interested
persons at home may affect TO sueer at him
no one In Washington will be found Mt
tempting to belitte him On the contrary
his high standing is cheerfuliy recognized
and never so much so as at present when
he holds one of the most important chair
manships, the wearing work of which is
responsible for his present illness In this
place, which is practically that of MAYOR
of Washington, he is brought into close re
lations with the leading men of the city.
and the tribute paid him in paragraph
elsewhere copied from one of the foremost
papers of the city is notable and signif-
icant one
With the list Of seven reasons given 10
prove Col. Houker's capacity and uuali6-
cations for Congress there is no fault In
be found except that they are quoted for
tins purpose. In point Of fact, as this
writer very well knows they have nothing
to do except in the most indirect and gen
eral way, with the qualities which Yer
mont has always demanded in her repre
sentatives IN the national legislature. The
real point IN this presentation of Col
Hooker's supposed claims is found in the
paragraph on the post office question.
where it is said, or intimated, that the local
opposition to Col. Hooker is based on the
Brattleboro post office issue.
This Is 10y no means true, but let us see
how the point is stated "The friends of
Col Hooker, this writer says, ''replv that
he is too ardent a Republican TO support a
Democrat for the best Federal office in this
congressional district, and as a Republican
declined TO be bound by Republican eau.
Gus that nominated Democrat" Indeed
But IT happens that when Col Hooker
asked for this caucus endorsed it, and took
the most conspicuous part possible in it. he
knew that Democrat would he a leading
and probably the winning candidate in il
II this justified Col Hooker in boiling this
caucus it would Justify him in boiling any
caucus. The fact of it is that the Colonel
made what is probably the worst political
mistake Of his life in thus boiling a caucus
which he had asked for and participated in.
ANA with this borne in mind the statement
that Col Honker's frienas have from the
first declined 20 drag into the congressional
canvass any local matter like that of our
post office controversy" is as "amoosing''
As an Artemus Ward Joke.
This brings us 70 say that, notwithstand
ing the explanation so kindly furnished in
our behalf IN this letter, the ground for the
opposition of this paper 10 Col Hooker is
not the post office question or any other
local issue or local dissensions, but solely
ms untitness for the place. We admit
freely and cordially his good qualities as a
citizen, and as a town and village officer.
We admire his good record as a soldier.
there Is NO better man in the state To run
the horse show, the state fair or our local
fair. he is eminently good fellow " but
the plain, sober fact is as every thinking
man knows, that one or all these things To- .
gether do not constitute Col Hooker a
suitable man % succeed Colamer, Foote.
Morrill,, Edmunds Willard. Poland, and a
dozen others only less distinguished in the .
United States Congress
He is not a man who possesses the quail .
ties or intuitions of craftsmanship. He has .
not the breadth Of view or the natural en-
dowment or trend Of thought which fit him