St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1891-05-14
MR.. EDMUNDS SPEAKS.
Proctor or Stewart His Successor.

Proctor or Stewart His Successor.
in the air in connection with Senator
Edmunds's resignation that his
friends will be glad that he has taken
occasion to correct some of them.
He was interviewed last week by
the Washington correspondent of
the Boston Transcript, who writes
as follows:
Senator Edmunds, who has been
quite sick with an attack of the grip
for two weeks, although still some
what enfeebled and pale, was at his
committee room at the capitol to-
day. The senator said that he was
feeling quite convalescent, but would
yet have to give some care to his
health. He at once referred to the
numerous erroneous statements
which had been circulated in the
newspapers in reference to his alleged
motives for retiring from the Senate,
and particularly statement which
| appeared in Philadelphia afternoon
paper in Washington letter which
purported to give reasons for his
step. The senator said that this
1
said the allegations were without any
foundation. He called attention par
ticularly to the assertion that the
Western republican senator's had
grown tired of his leadership, and
having had intimations to that effect
he had become convinced that his
political usefulness in the Senate
would be so much impaired that to
remain a member of that body any
longer would be both irksome and
distasteful, and hence he had deter
mined to retire from that body and
political contentious.
The senator said, $50 far from
this being the fact my relations with
the leaders Of the republican party of
the West and every other section
were never more cordial and har-
mOniOus than at present. For years
have been, and am still, the chair
man of the republican senatorial
caucus and am in constant confiden-
tial intercourse with these gentlemen.
know absolutely that their feelings
toward me are of the kindest and
most considerate character. No. no!
That was not the reason why l gave
ton the most exalted under the gov
eminent, and one which very few
men in public life have voluntarily
surrendered.
81 have been aware continued
the senator, for some time that my
health has been showing indications
of decline, owing to a very stub
born and troublesome bronchial af-
fiction, and I have remained at my
post of duty when l should have
been caring for my health; but l con-
ceived it to be my duty, and the duty
of every senator, to attend to his
obligations to his state, and not
abandon them for weeks at time,
even on account of truthfully inn
paired health, or upon pretexts often
resorted to- Therefore, finding that
l must seek milder climate In Win
tiers myself and family, and being I'M
willing to neglect my duties, l decided
to resign my place in the Senate and
permit the state of Vernon to select
a gentleman who could continue at
his post to look after her interests.
The letters which | have received
from political friends and opponents
in the Senate expressing their deep
regret at my retirement and the kind
references to the long and pleasant
relations which haveexisted between
us were exceedingly gratifying to me,
and showed clearly the estimation
my political opponents. With one
or two exceptions, do not think
there is a senator on either side of
~ IL, h.. T
friend, and even in those exceptions
where some heated language was ex-
changed l believe the causes have
been forgotten.
In reference to his successor the
senator said that he did not feel in
clined to interfere in behalf of any
of the half-dozen gentlemen proposed.
He thought that the governor
would either name Secretary Proctor
or ex-Representative Stewart, either
of whom would make a most excel
lent senator. Judge Veazey of the
Interstate commerce commission,
ex-Govs. Dillingham; and Smith, he
thought, were also excellent men,
but the first is now holding a lucra-
tive office, and the last is now en-
crossed in railroad matters and is
rs years old, and probably would
not accept the positionif rendered to
him. The governors appointment
will complete the term, as the Legis-
lature will not meet until the successor
for the next term is to be chosen.
''In abiding to politics he said
Il am not dispose to engage in
active partisan work. propose to
enjoy myself and try to restore my
health and do my duty as a private
citizen.'