Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1896-04-02
AFFAIRS IN VERMONT.
some POLITICAL POSSIBILITIES IN
BENNINGTON COUNTY.
A Section Of the state Where Democrats
Are Almost UnItnown-Officers Find
Liquor at Sheldon Hotels-A
Fish Story.

bennington, March 26.-At present there
is but little being said or done so far as
county or town politics are concerned.
There is probably no section of the State
where it takes so long to awaken a polite
al excitement as in this county, and Moth
ing is generally done except talk until the
campaign opens in earnest. Appearances,
however, are that there is little quiet
work being done on the republican side,
while he democrats are in an utter state of
innocuous desuetude. The Free Press cor
respondent has interviewed several leading
republicans and learns that there are pos
sibly three or four who would like to be
senators from the county this year. In
this county as everywhere else there arc
u few who have a laundering for Office, and
their name is brought forward every two
years, only to be laid one side when the
convention meets. The opinion among
those bes, informed Is that the two can
ddates for senator on the republican side
will probably DO Hon. a. Il. Gardner of
Powna! and a. l.. Graves of Manchester
Centre. Mr.. Gardner Is a farmer and II
man well known. Two years ago he was a
candidate and had quite "a following but
Withdrew in the interest of harmony, and
It was generally understood then that he
should have a chance this year Mr.
Graves is president of the Battcnkill Ma
tional bank and in every way well quail
but that they will be the men
Unless something unforeseen turns up
there will be no opposition to the re-elec-
ton of Henry S. Wilson of Arlington as
county sheriff. Mr.. Wilson has held the
office three terms. and Is well liked by all.
Two years ago IL was charged that he had
appointed democrats to the position of
deputy and a little feeling raised against
him, but nothing that amounted to much.
No such charges can be brought now.
For side judges, Myron II. Woodward of
Woodford will be nominated for the sec
ond term, that being the custom In this
county to give the judges a reelection.
Judge Burton, having served his two
terms. will retire. and will probably he
succeeded by IL. S. Burt of Sunderland.
Mr.. Burt was candidate two years ago
but the vacancy then did not come in his
shire, so he waited.
For county commissioner. there is no
reason to doubt but that the present in
cumbent r. r. Godfrey, can have the Of
flee again If he will accept. lie has made
good commissioner. and as the duties
are not onerous, he can probably be in
duced to accept the place again
No one appears to know, or have much
of an idea in regard to the States at
torneyship. Since the last general cleo
ton, there have been some additions &c
the Bennington bar, so that there may be
some new aspirants for that office. as il
brings with 1t a salary of $500 year. Tho
present States attorney. Gen. Il. l.. Bates
has held the position twice before this one
and is fully acquainted with its duties
He has given pretty general satisfaction
and it would not be in the least surprising
II he should be reelected this fall for an
other term
1t has developed to-day that C. p. Nile'
of Bennington and f. c. Archibald Of
Manchester are candidates for states at
torney. Archibald has served one tern
before. Niles has practiced little over
year.
There will be no changes in the probat
judges, as both are good men and salts
factory to all concerned.
Just now the present appearances ar,
that Judge Charles II. Darling will be thu
republican candidate for town representa-
tive and of course that means an election
There will be no opposition to him. Judg'
Darling Is a graduate of Tufts college
went to Maine for short time after grad
uating. He studied law In Woodstock
and then came here about ten years ago
He has been judge of the municipal cour
four years, and In the many communica
tons that have appeared in print abou
the way the prohibitory law is enforced
In this county, no insinuations have eve
been made against him. He is Il goo,
tallSer. q ready debater, and in the Legis
lature will be heard az well as seen.
Bennington county people also are an
ticipating the selection of Hon. O. NJ. Bar
ton of Arlington as one of the delegates T.
the national convention at st. Louis
Some of the younger members of the ro
publican party are already agitatng tn
formation of a republican club here, an
want the cooperation of every republca
voter in town. Joseph w. Fowler O
Manchester. the member for the count
of the executive committee, has charge q
the organization of these clubs in tn
county.
1t Is impossible 70 learn anything as sc
what the democrats intend to do or VIII
they propose to run for any of the offices
Its hard work to find men here who ar
willing to lead forlorn hope, but as Their
are many men in their ranks who ais
banker for office there is no doubt bu
that there will be plenty of men willing I
step forward INTO the breach when til
time for action comes