Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1896-06-04

these communities. That city was
supposed to be firmly in the clutches
of the ring and certain to stand by
the ring candidate. The caucus was
called on short notice, merely as a
precautionary measure, though nc
GrOutitc expected contest. The
Burlington newspapers-tive OF them
had been shouting for Grout and
claiming everything in sight for him.
Both dailies urged the Grout Repub-
licans to attend the caucus, and by
inference, at least, invited the Stick
ney Republicans, il there were any, to
stay at home. The Free Press came
out with list Of some twenty lead
ing Republicans, who, it alleged, ia
vored Circuit. Eight Of these were
Stickney men, but it was too late to
deny it and the state was given to
understand that Stickney's support in
the Queen City was too Insignificant
to be seen with the naked eye.
The caucus met and was called to
order in due season with q Grout man
in the chair and every teller, save
one, favorable to the Major. Things
looked delectable to the ringsters
present. The ballot was opened and
then, for the first time it was noticed
that several Stickney votes were being
polled. Their number grew until
worried look came over the faces OF
the chairman and Grout tcllers. 1t
was even noted that they exceeded the
Grout ballots. The Grout tellers then
took the votes that were in and
counted them to see how many Grout
men it would be necessary to rush
out alter to carry that ticket through.
To their surprise the Stickney ticket
led by 1870 votes. There was a hur-
red consultation Of Grout workers
md the chairman left the hall and |
vent down onto the sidewalk to ped
lie Grout tickets. Some OF the
prominent" Grout men followed to
10 the ''pump-handle act'' on the line
If impatient voters. But it was a
failure. In a few minutes
mother count was taken and the
Stickney ticket led by lao votes. Then
he Grout-ring workers left the hall
With faces so long that shave would
lave cost them quarter apiece. AZ
er the box had been open an hour it
vas POLITICALLY" turned and counted.
The result was announced: Stickney,
9S; Grout, $50; Stickney's majority, |
6S. The enthusiastic Stickney men
airly raised the roof in one long,
oud whoop of triumph over the ring
who thought they carried
in their vest pockets.
The two Republican dailies, in
reating of the caucus, showed a re-
aarkable difference. The Ne~s, a
launch Grout paper, candidly adj
litted that the result was unques-
ionably the honest expression Of
'urlington's sentiment and that such
Stickney victory in Grout strong
old would greatly strengthen the
canvass throughout the state.
The Free Press, however, whined
olefully. 1t claimed that the Grout
len were taken by surprise on a still
unit; that the Stickney men were
/, out while the Grout men slept on
leir arms in the anticipation of tri-
HPH, nHut III consequence tiiC lNbull
as not fair test; that the Stickney ,
rces used much money; that Demo-
ats voted and worked for Stickney,
c. All this is, Of course, what is s
termed ''rot.' The
ickney forces let the other fellows
} the Dragging beforehand and did p
It outline all their plans to papers
posed to them. They did do lit
work and found fertile field OF n
Dor. They voted no Democrats and =
any voted it was the fault of the
ucus organization, which the Grout
en- controlled. The whole expense ca
the Stickney canvass in Burling- b
n did not exceed S35, including 4
hat the printing cost. The simple :
18th was the Republicans of Bur- 1
lgton, as well as in many parts OF
3 state, are tired Of ring politics and I
sgusted with ring newspapers. They
rrectly size up Candidate Grout as
representative of these methods and
oppose to make him an example.