Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1896-06-04

to attack Mai Grout and speak kindly
of Mr.. Stckney IL was supposed, Of course,
that they were merely seeking to have
some fun with the republicans by eggng
on the gubernatoral fight; but it Ia now
evident that the democrats OF Vermont
are seeking to play an exceedingly shrewd
game Of politics. Lending democrats have
boen quietly endeavoring to aid the promo
ton OF Stickney's candidacy and tho re-
publican caucus in this city to elect dele
gates to the state convention disclosed
the lengths to which some Of them would
go for the purpose of accomplishing their
ends
IL transpires that number OF leading
democrats In this cityplayed a conspicuous
part in working UP the Stickney wave"
In burlington. They not only helped to
drum UP voters upon the street, but some
ofNhem were conspicuous in the caucus
anhthey were among the most enthusiasts
tic cheerers when the victory Of the Stick
ncy ticket was announced. Whether or
not eighteen democratic "foatcrs" voted
for Suckney rs is alleged, and as II would
have been an easy matter in tho absence
OF check list. Is not material in this case
for we are now speaking of the democra-
tic sympathy with Stlckneys candidacy,
and their course is no more reprehcnIlble
than was that of Il certain prominent aon-
resident stckncy republican from an adj
Joining town. who was allowed to cast his
ballot
One OF tho Stickney sympathlzers, who
is undoubtedly as rabid and uncompromls-
ing democrat as can be found In Burling-
ton, was noticed as being conspicuous In
his enthusiasm in the caucus. Whom
asked what right he had to he IN a repuh-
lican caucus he replied that no was for
stickney because Stickney was a good
member OF his church. This could not
have been the explanation of the activity
Of other democrats in pushing along the
stlckney boomet, for they were OF other
denominations Much less could it explain
the evident anxiety OF the Argus and
other democratic papers TO down his OPP
| ponent.
In politics, as in war II Is always n good
rule TO refuse to do what your enemies
desire, particularly when they are so
anxious az to come into your camp and
plainly show their desires. The demo-
Gratis OF Vermont are plainly working. as
well as hoping, for the nomination OF
Stckney as the better man-for them Ia
work against. If this were not so they
would be found training their guns upon
him and working for Grout. But they are
almost as bitter against Grout as they are
against Mckinley, and for similar reasons
In both cases, They would prefer to fight
weaker men as candidates at the polls.
Do tho republicans OF Vermont desire tc
play into the hands OF tho democrats
II not, they must get out their votes at the
primaries. We learn that in the country
towns emissarles of Mr.. Stickney are
quietly driving from house to house among
the farmers in his interest, and II ia fail
to suppose they are peddllne misrepre
sensations similar to those used in score
In Burlington. A still hunt is evidentl,
the only hope OF Mr.. Stckney's friends
In the larger towns. where the voters ar,
not known TO each other. check list,
should be demanded. We do not believ,
Mr.. Stickney would profit in repubica,
caucuses by democratic votes, II he knew
1t; but unfortunately the democrats seen
to be determined to work for him unit
September, when they will suddenl,
change their tactics and vote against him