Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1894-02-09

The falling on each others neck-rough
and tumble-by the Brattleboro Democrats,
to decide who should reign over the local
poSt-ofiice for four years, beginning with
the expiration of f. w. Childs's term in
March, 1894, will 90 down to history in the
above figures, which represent the vote
cast at the caucus held at the town hall
Saturday.
The caucus was called to order at PIP.
NJ, by DIR. Conand, chairman of the Dem
ocratic town committee, who read the call
and stated that all would be expected to CO.
operate in securing an orderly caucus, clos
ing his remarks by stating that the polls
were open.
There were 100 to $50 people present to
witness the firing of the first gun. The
stalwart form of Charles Endich lowered to
the front as he pressed forward to cast the
first ballot, followed closely by w. H.
Childs.
The voting under the Australian system
continued until $50, when the polls were
declared closed and the town committee,
with several assistants, began counting the
votes. AT this time 800 to 400 people were
present Those in the hall eagerly scanned
the faces of the vote counters and of the
few Democrats on the stage to gather signs
of the way in which the tide of favor had
flowed. w. II. Chlds's face was like a
sphinx as he hurried from the hall as soon
as the footings were made. On Charles
Endlich's face was pictured amazement,
while Dr. Conlaud's was illumined with a
broad grin. Many pressed forward when
Dr. COnland came to the front of the stage
to announce the result. There was a mo-
ment of expectancy, then came the figures
Uh nd nnI
faction and milk and honey to the other
The shouts of victory of the Chlds men
made the hall ring for a moment, and in
another moment all were leaving the hall
Many of Mr.. Childs's intimate friends
pushed their way to the post-otfice to con-
graduate him.
The surprise of the day came in the large
vote cast. The prediction had been gen
eral that there would be 800 to $50 votes
In the presidential election of 1855 the
total Democratic vote in Brattleboro was
AS, and in 1892 ASS. In Saturdays eau
Gus the Democratic patrons of the West
Brattleboro pOst-ofiice were ineligible to
cast ballot and the falling off on this ac-
count is estimated at from 30 to 80 votes.
1t is also estimated that there were 80
Democrats in this village who did not vote.
There are various theories to account for
the large increase in the Democratic vote.
Men in Guilford, North Hlnsdale, Chester
field and Dummerston who are patrons of
the local office were allowed to vote, but
this number is said not to have exceeded
20.
Dr. Conland says it is as plain as the
nose on your face, and any body who is
half bright ought to have figured it out be-
forehand. In any general election there is
always large percentage of voters on both
sides who can't be gotten out to the polls
but contest like this appeals to everybody
Individually, because they have a personal
interest in the postal service, and they
come out without being asked.
w. Ii. Childs says ne has for several
years carried the names of 900 Brattleboro
Democrats on his list, and not over p or
80 of them live in West Brattleboro or
Cenreville.
The Phoenix believes, as it stated at the
beginning of the fight, that with only the
best service of the public in view Mr..
Childs should be reappoinnted, that "the
efficiency of the local service under him
has never been called in question, and it
was never greater than at present. On
general business principles, and in conform
ity to the spirit of civil service reform, the
logical sequence was the reappointment of
Mr. Chids without a contest. Had the
local Democrats repudiated him it would
have been a slap-in-the-face for their own
party. 1t would not have been in human
nature for the Republicans to have wept
briny tears had the Democrats taken this
course, although the general Republican
sentiment favored the disappointment of
Mr.. Childs on the sound and correct
grounds already suggested