Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1896-02-20
FOR GOVERNOR, JOSIAH CIRCUIT OF
DERBY.
(From the Barton Monitor.

For some time past the papers of this
State have been discussing the qualfca-
tons of those who are liable to become
candidates for governor on the republican
ticket TO be selected at the June conven-
tion. Among those most prominently
mentioned are Major Josiah Grout OF
Derby. Mr. Stickney OF Ludlow. Mr.. Hazen
of st. Johnsbury and MIR. Read of Bellows
Falls. The list is a good one, and the af-
fairs of the State would be In safe hands,
with either of them In the gubernatorial
chair.
Without disparaging the merits of eth
er. we espouse the cause of Major Grout.
We consider him the best man for the
place, all qualifications considered. We
have known him intimately for more than
80 years We well remember the day,
when. encamped in Virginia the word was
received that Lieut.. Grout had fallen with
a mortal wound, We knew of the weeks
when his life hung in the balance between
life and death. and. later, how for months
and years he suffered most seriously from
the effect of the rebel lead in his hip. We
knew him in close relations as law
student. He was Industrious, diligent
honest faithful; devoid of i'll habits and
conscientious in all his thoughts and deal
ings. We noted his early career as a law
yer in this county, saw his successes at
the bar and his steady and merited
growth in his profession Later, when he
removed to Chicago and engaged in his
profession, we learned of his success in
that larger and more difficult sphere. We
knew of his success in business as well as
law in the West
And when he determined to come back
to his native Vermont, to settle on the
homestead where his wife was born, we
saw the old farm at once respond TO prac-
teal as well as scientific systems which
he adopted. We know of no better demon
stration of what the average Vermont
farm can do, under intelligent manage
ment, than the old Hinman farm in Derby.
Fortunate that there are some men who
have such faith in Vermont. that they
will put money, energy, hard work and
brains together and will show that not
two, as used to be supposed to be the
ultimate but three spires of grass can be
made to grow where one had grown here
tofore. We have known Major Grout as
tho plain, quiet. hard-working citizen in
the rural village. where men are best
known, and where true estimate Is made
of character. 1t is needless to say. so far
as this section is concerned, that he has
been a helpful, generous, public-spirited
man. and a very important factor In all
things that have had TO do with the well
fare of his community and his town. His
worth has been recognized by the bestow-
ment OF tho most honored positions his
could give him.
So far as his public career is concerned
the whole State has full knowledge. Few
men have moro often been members of the
Legislature; few men have been more
prominent while in that body. Really, 80
we'll has he been known. and 50 we'll has
he filled every position OF honor or trust,
that 1t has been felt for several years that
he possessed every qualification which
fitted him for the uOgltiOn of governor.
Having refused at different times. against
the protest of many friends, to become q
candidate, the time now seems to have
come when the wish OF a large majority
of tho people of the State can be gratlfied
and the nomination made.
To sum up the merits of Nal Grout as a
candidate it can be justly said that he is
a typical Vermonter; he Is a citizen whom
in every worthy sense none Is better; he
is plain, practical farmer the pattern
example In this sphere for his whole coun-
ty; he Us the successful all-round business
man whose good sense and sagacity make
him competent to run farms in the East
and manufactures In the West. Expert
enced In the things Of the law, he meas
ures matters OF public concern with wis
dom which tho average man does not pos
sess; gifted and graceful as a public speak,
err. he has the advantage of most men on
the stump. the PLATFORM OF wherever men
are controlled or Influenced by speech
most intimately acquainted with the men
and conditions of Vermont, he would pos
sess knowledge invaluable in the man.
agement of the affairs of this common
wealth; deserving as any man can be who
gave his own blood In defense of his coun-
try, his elevation to the position of COVER
nor VIII be as deserved as II will be grati-
Tying to eveW living soldier and every
patriot In the State.