The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1896-04-22
A Significant Admission,
The st. Adams correspondent of the
Boston Globe writes to that paper:

Boston GLO6e writes to that paper:
"There is every reason to believe that the
canvass of W. w. Stickney Of Ludlow for
the republican nomination for governor is
not only holding its own, but that it is quiz
city gaining support and influence in many
parts of the state where its presence is
scarcely suspected, and not naturally to be
looked for. 1t does not follow from this, BY
any means, that it is literally undermining
the foundations OF Major Josiah Grout OF
Derby. because they were too we'll laid long
ago to be affected 80 easily, but 1t is appar-
emit that the endeavors to underestimate the
strength of Speaker Stickney are not only
futile, but II anything an Offset in favor OF
his canvass not quite agreeable to those who
make them. Washington county republi-
though it was at first supposed that they
would be unit for Circuit. In Windsor,
Windham, Orange, Rutland and Lamoille
counties are many enthusiastic Stickney
men. 1t is only fair to say, of course, that
the face of the Indications gives the nomina.
ton to Major Circuit, and the only hope that
the friends of Speaker Stickney have is that
the unassimilated vote, wherever it is, may
be finally gathered in by the man from Lud-
low. 1t is apparent that in a great many
sections OF the state the younger members
OF the party favor Mr.. Stickney, while as
rule the old leaders are pledged to Circuit"
This is important as a measurably
fair and correct statement of the state
of the canvass at the present time. 1t
is creditable to the candor of the cor
respondent, who is assistant editor of
the st. Adams Messenger, and derives
significance from this circumstance. 1t
is in very pleasant contrast with the no.
toriously false and misleading state
ments the Free Press is publishing ed
itorially, and is ordering for publication
from different parts of the state-for
example, it's recent letter from Montpe-
lier on Washington county politics, to
which reference is made elsewhere on
this page.
"The foundations of Major Josiah
Grout of Derby" are mined. Although
they were "well laid, long ago." they
will be blown up and scattered to the
winds when that unassimilated vote
is gathered in by the man from Lud-
low" That unassimilated vote" in
Vermont is good deal like the
"Quaker vote" of Pennsylvania, in a
former era of national politics. 1t was
slow to wake up, but mighty, to the
pulling down of strongholds, when
aroused. The Globe correspondence
statement as to Washington county
could have been made much stronger
without overstepping the facts. There
is here practical unanimity among re-
publicans in favor of Mr.. Stickney.
The straits into which the Grout can
didacy is drifting are better shown by
an alleged movement, described by this
same correspondent, to bring out Hon.
Henry A. Fletcher of Cavendish for
governor, who, it is claimed, is ain the
field to stay" Suggestions of a move-
ment of this kind have come from other
quarters. The Globe correspondent
says:
ut may be that Mr.. Fletcher's candidacy
will be the only peaceful and satisfactory
solution Of the Grout-Stickney fight, in
which case 1t Is safe to presume that both
factions could find the neutral ground very
acceptable to them"
This would seem to belong to the
class of news known as "important if
true" Coming from Grout or semi
GrOut sources, it has some significance.
In 1892 the Messenger brought out Mr..
Fletcher as a candidate for governor