Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1894-02-15

of conversation among all classes of our cit
liens The present and first mayor of the
city of Rutland, John A. Mead, was elected
last year on so-called citizens ticket con
trary to the wishes of majority of the re-
publican party. He could have received
republican nomination and could have been
as easily elected as was the case with the
'mongrel' nomination he did receive.
The result has been just what was expect
ed by all who are in possession of the first
rudiments of politics, very unsatisfactory.
And the reason for it is selfevidcnt in the
fact that Mayor Mead had no organiza
ton behind his administration to assume
the responsibility for it. The consequence
was that Mayor Mead felt under obligations
to every vampire in the city who chose
to importune him for this and that favor.
In attempting to please everybody he has
very effectively succeeded in pleasing no
body.
In the appointment of city clerk the
pressure on him was SO great that he sent thre
names to the city council for that body TO see
ect from. In the appointment of other city
officers he has ON more than one occasion
done the same thing. If elected on party
ticket, as he should and could have been,
such ridiculous proceeding would have
been avoided. whatever may be the opinion
Of such a proceeding under any circum-
stances.
Republicans Named for Nomination.
This year the republican party of this city
to not propose to again be made a laughing
stock, and consequently will hold strict
party caucus for the purpose of putting in
nomination a candidate for mayor and other
city officers The caucus will be held on the
2lst inst. and among the men spoken of as
likely to receive the nomination are: l.. &.
Kingsley, &. II. Joyce, c. G.. kinsman. f.
D. White. Fred A. Field H. O. CARPENTER
md others.
It is by no means certain but that some
of these men would refuse nomination if
rendered them. still a nomination will be
made by the republican party, and unless all
signs fail such nominee will toe elected 10y a
splendid majority.
Possible Democratic Nominees.
1t is not likely that the democrats will
make party nominations this year. for the
reason that under the old system of citizens
caucuses they invariably captured ma ior-
ity of the plums. Still. if they would unite
for the purpose of putting in nomination a
candidate for mayor, they could bring out
men who would make lively race. They
have, it is true. the so-called Hanrahan-M Mo
loney fight still on hand but should they
nominate George +. Royce. Harry r. Dorr
or Is. f. Pollard. there would be a truce de-
clared at once and any one of those men
would have the support of a united party,
Populist tndcrhilI's Prospects.
There will be candidate in the field who
will not have behind him the nomination or
endorsement of any party, but will file a
certificate of nomination, and he confidently
expects to be elected He is George c. I'm
derhill, and but few take serious view of
his candidacy. He is chairman of the State
committee of the populist party, and doubt
less is laboring under the impression that
his election as mayor of Rutland would give
his party Il boom in Vermont. He is the
last man in this city that the ma jority of the
people would think of selecting for mayor
1t is claimed 10y some Of his supporters that
he is favored by Mayor Mead and that he
will receive the solid vote of the employees OF
the Howe Scale company. This, of course
is but an insult to tine intelligence and man
hood of the men employed at the scale work,
and one that they will be apt TO resent al
the polls. Mr.. Underhill will not be the
next mayor of Rutland
Volunteer Eiremcn in Revolt.
The members of the Volunteer Fire de
partment are up in arms against the present
government Of the city because of the adop
ton of paid fire department by the city
council. They viii have a candidate fol
mayor, and in looking about for one they
have decided to bring out Byron X. Hous
ton. 1t is said that they will have the ait
of a faction Of the Workingmen and that he
VIII be nominated i'll mass caucus. Ru
NOR has it that they will be aided also 10y
the Marble City Electric company. who
have Just secured n five years contrac
from the city for street lighting.
1t is a subject of much speculation anon.
the voters just what object those ndivdu
ais who are interested in the Electric com
pany have in attempting to secure mayor
Of their own choosing. Runner has it tina
their contract with the city is one that theil
company may fail to comply with in every
particular, and if the incumbent Of the may
or's office should be one who felt he was tn,
servant of the city instead of the Electri,
company, the latter's contract with the city
might, under circumstances that are likel,
to arise, be of less value to them than it a
present appears
The Houston Combination.
Houston is a carpenter and builder by oc
cupallOn ana Nnlle OelnG good cltlZen /
not a man that would be considered al
eligible candidate for mayor. This, it il
said, he himself admits, but he has a griev
ance which must be aired 1t appears tina
be sent in a bid to the City Council to con
struct apartments in the City Hall building
for the paid fire department, which was no
accepted and the contract was given to an
other He lie therefore bitterly opposed t.
the paid fire department, and is determine,
to overthrow it if possible.
1t appears, then, that there is combina
ton between the volunteer frelnen, the Mar
Bile City Electric company and Candidat
Houston. The volunteer firemen wish T.
destroy the paid fire department recent
ndopted by the city, the electric light peopl
desire mayor friendly to them and ON
who will look out for their interests, am
this they evidently have in Houston, Will
Houston himself wishes to show that Will
he could not secure contract from the cit
he can and will be mayor of Rutland. A
NVil bn diSo ppointel howpVar MS thaV oupl