The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1894-04-20
VERMONT POLITICS.

June 2Oth. 1t will be held at Montpelier.
George M. Powers was selected for
Chairman of the Convention, and Kit
tredge Haskins for Chairman of tile
Committee on Resolutions. 1t was de-
cided3t have prominent speaker to ad-
dress the convention.
Chas. S Forbes, in letter to the Bos-
ton Sunday Journal, has word or two
to say respecting Vermont political af-
fairs that we copy below. He begins by
announcing the Convention:
1t will be the first State Convention of
either party that has been holden since
the Presidential election of 1892.
The Republican Convention of that
year was marked bya warm and spir-
tied contest for the Gubernatorial uomi-
nation.
The Democratic party also had hot
and exciting contest two years ago be-
tween the so called Smalley-Atkins
wing and the Davenport faction.
This year harmony prevails in the
ranks of both political parties, and no
unusual interest attaches to the coming
conventions of either party.
1t is apparently foregone conclusion
that Col. Urban A. Woodbury. of Bur-
lington will be the Republican nominee
for governor, and equally certain that
State Treasurer Henry F. Field, Secretary
of State Chauncey w. Brownell and
State Auditor Franklin D. Hale will be
renominated. Mr.. Field and Mr.. Brown
ell are now serving their second term,
and Mr.. Hale succeeded Col. Powell as
Auditor in 1892.
There is an interesting canvass in pro-
gress for the Republican nomination for
Lieutenant Governor.
The most prominent candidates are
Col. Zophar NJ Mansur of Island Pond,
Hon. Homer w. Vail of Pomfret and
Hon. Henry G. Bates of st. Johnsbury.
The names of Col. Marsh o. Perkins of
Windsor, Henry M. Arms and Hon. Adna
Brown of Springfield have also been
mentioned in connection with the nomi
nation. The contest, however, will
probably lie between Messrs. Vail, Man
sur and Bates.
The convention will be called upon to
choose a full State Committee, and the
indications are that several changes will
be made in the composition of the com
mittee. Several of the present members
propose to retire, and there is vacancy
in Caledonia county.
The committee is made up as follows:
Addison county, T. M. Chapman; Ben
nington county, c. E. yelling; Chitten-
den county, FL. S. Peck; Essex county,
S. D. Hobson; Franklin county, Olin
Merrill; Grand Isle county, R. r. Hath
away; LamOille county, P. K. Gleed;
Orange county, j. G. Stearns; Orleans
county, Fred W. Baldwin; Rutland
county, G. E. Lawrence; Windham
county, II. D. Holton; Windsor county,
M. X. Paine; Washington county, Geo.
w. Wing.
The Republican Convention for the
First Congressional District will prob
ably be called to meet the:same week as
the State Convention as matter of con-
venience to the delegates, who in many
cases are likely to be the same to both
the State and District conventions.
In case this plan prevails, the conven-
tion for the Second District would prob
ably be held at Montpelier the day be-
fore or the day following the State Con-
YentiOn.
Gen. William W. Grout, the present
faithful and efficient Congressman from
the Second District, will doubtless be re-
without opposition.
The First District Convention may be
held later in the season, when Congress
man HI. Henry Powers will be renomi-
mated, unless all signs fail. Judge Pow
ers stands high in the House, and his
ability as debater is recognized by
both sides.
The Democrats of Vermont have as
yet given no indications of their prefer
snces for Governor and other State eff
GERS. This may be accounted for from
the fact that the leaders of the party are
deeply engrossed in the distribution of
Federal patronage and the duties of the
offices which they hold.
For many years, and until his death in
1893, the active and moving spirit in
Democratic circles in Vermont was
Hiram Atkins of Montpelier. He was
most potent factor in the councils of the
Democratic party, and his word was law
to all intents and purposes. As Chair
nan of the State Committee and as edi-
,or of the Argus and Patriot he exercised
great influence among the faithful in
Vermont. He usually made up the
slate for State officers, which the dele
gates subsequently ratified in conven-
ion.
Mr.. Atkins will be much missed by
he rank and file of the party.
AS yet no Moses has arisen to take up
he reins of leadership which fell from
lis hands, who can drive the party coach
10 successfully and skillfully.
Col. Smalley is leader in National
politics, and during the latter years of
he political career of Mr. Atkins he
,aid but little attention to the details of
operating the Democratic machine in
his State. Mr.. Atkins, during the first
administration of President Cleveland,
practically had charge of the distribution
# the minor spoils of office, and was re-
ponsible for the changes in fourth class
Dost offices. Mr.. Atkins could have had
good paying Federal Office had he de-
ired it, but he contented himself with
lolding the position of Superintendent |
# the United States Post Office Building
It Montpelier.
1t is highly improbable that President
cleveland will again enter any objections
O Federal Office holders participating in !
he proceedings of Democratic caucuses
nd conventions. His declarations in |
his respect, eight years ago, were prac-
ically ignored in this State in 1886 and |
SSS. If Federal officials were ineligible |
o be delegates to the State Convention |
his year, the party leaders might be |
by their absence. But this |
ham policy of the past will happily, net |
70 proclaimed this year, so the govern