New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-04-09
A SURPRISE IN VERMONT.
SENATOR EDMUNDS's RESIGNATION WHOLLY
UNEXPECTED.
x.Nps OF PROMINENT SONS OF THE GREEN
xouSrAsS STATE MENTIONED AS oANDI.
DATES FOR THE VACANCY.
fpY TELEoRAPu TO Ths TBIBUSE1

burlington, Vt April S.-The resignation OF
Senator Edmunds is the most important move
which has been made on the political chess-board
Of Vermont for a quarter of a century. The news
of the Senator's resignation was not made public
until this morning. His letter TO Governor Page
announcing his determination to retire from pub
lio life at an early day did not reach the Governor
until Yesterday The action of Senator Edmunds
has been the prevailing topic of discussion through
ont the State to-day. and everywhere the news of
his resignation is received with profound regret
Burlington has been the political Mecca to-day
for prominent Republicans, who came hither from
all parts Of the State to discuss the Senatorial
question. Interviews with score or more
of these visiting statesmen showed that
the Senator's resignation was wholly unexpected
by them. Their views as to the probable success
sor to Senator Edmunds divided between
Redfeld Proctor, Secretary Of War, and ex-JudSe
H. Henry Powers, Congressman-elcct from the lst
District The names of Ex-Governor j. Gregory
Smith Ex-Governor John w. Stewart, and Judge
Wheelock G. Veazey. of the Interstate Commerce
Commission, were also favorably mentioned for
the vacancy.
So far as can be learned, Senator Edmunds has
given no intimation of his preferences regarding
successor. 1t is not positively known whether
Secretary Proctor and Judge Powers are candl-
dates for the unexpired term 1t seems, however,
to be generally conceded that both OF these gen.
tlemen will be in the contest for the long Sen
atorial term beginning March a, 1898, ana Tor
which term the Legislature of 1892 will elect
Senator. Governor Page might thus appoint an.
other person to serve out the uneXpired term TO
which Senator Edmunds was chosen in 1886 Such
an appointment would hold good until October,
1892. when the Legislature would elect Senator
for the short term. from December to March A.
1898 1t is stated here tonight that eX-Congress-
man John w Stewart is q candidate for Senator
Edmundss unexpired term, beginning November
d. 1891 at which time the Senator's resignation
takes effect The name of Ex-Governor j. Gregory
Smith, one of the two surviving war Governors OF
this State is also receiving favorable consideration
for the vacancy. He is not candidate and 1t Is
not known whether he would accept the appoint
ment
Whoever is appointed by Governor Page to fill
the vacancy for the unexpired term will have de-
cided advantage in the Legislature in 1892. Inc
legislature, which is likely to be convened III
special session early in May TO take action In
regard to the acceptance oil the DirecJ lax que
the State, cannot take any cognl2ance u leIT elr
to be besieged during the next few months by
the friends of various gentlemen VINO desire tnelr
fayorite candidate to ne appointed Oniteu oudtes
Senator. "The Burlington Free Press" will say
editorally tomorrow morning:
Prominent among the which will be canvassed
by the people and deemed by their friends to be worthy
Of consideration for the vacancy Will be those OF Kedhed
Proctor John Gregory Smith, John w. Stewart, ii.
Henry Powers and wheeloek G.. Veazey. Questions
arising from the present position health business and
personal wishes gentlemen named prevent one
or more Of these from pressing candidacy for the
appointment but all viii be ut once thought Of by
xptellgent vermonters.