The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1896-05-13
Campaign Notes.
POWER OF THE PRESS

POWER OF THE PRESS
A few newspaper luminaries of
lesser magnitude still insist that Grout |
will be nominated for governor because |
the papers of the state pretty generally |
support his candidacy; but, Judging |
from the way in which Mckinley was
endorsed, newspapers have very little
to do with forming political sentiment
in Vermont. 1t is barely possible that
editorial scribblers are not 80 powerful
a factor as they themselves imagine -
Bellows Falls Times.
LETTER FROM HON. II. A. FLETCHER.
Ex-Lieutenant Governor Fletcher
sends to the Bellows Falls Times the
following note: "Your statements, in
the last issue of the Times, as to my
probable position upon the governor
ship question are correct. Any state
ments of different character upon the
subject are entirely unwarranted. For
me to appear as candidate would not
only be unwise, but would be dishon-
orable act toward Mr.. Stickney, such as
| hope never to be guilty Of. l am
earnestly hoping and expecting to see
Mr.. Stickney receive the nomination"
A TRAP THAT DIDN'T CATCH.
The attempt of some of Mr.. CIRCUITS
friends to spring second Windsor
county governorship boom, in favor of
Hon. Henry A. Fletcher, fell prone
upon the ground Immediately. Every
paper in the county stepped hard upon
it as soon as its head was shown, and
that without any disparagement of Mr..
Fletcher, who did not allow himself to
fall into the trap. Windsor county is
for Stickney, and him only. None
other need apply. And Windsor county
will not go to the convention alone, if
we may judge by symptoms appearing
Observation-Disclosures Standard.
THE PEOPLES YEAR.
Senator Thurston said at Montpelier:
"This is a republican year. 1t is better
than that; it is peoples year" If
that is 30 what better year could be de-
sired? 1t is very evident that the PEG.
pie were out at Montpelier last week;
and, what is more, they had their way.
This is indeed encouraging. Let the
same condition continue. The old line
bosses were treated to genuine sur
prise. party. They need one more to
make their discontinue complete. At
the state convention in June is the
time and place to administer the
second dose, and it looks much as if
they would receive it, Notwithstanding
the Grout crowd are doing the whistling
act in high key.-Londonderry Sitter.
WILL NOT ABIDE DICTATIoN OF
BOSSES.
Senator Proctor has declared that the
people of Vermont will not abide the
dictation of bosses. In his mastery
speech at Montpelier Senator Thurston
said: "This is republican year, year
of the people. No bosses or combina.
ton of bosses can thwart their will"
This has proved true 80 far as presi-
dental candidates are concerned !;
whether it shall prove true as regards
gubernatorial candidates remains to be
seen. That ring exists and that Jo-
siah Grout is the ring candidate, no one
can successfully dispute. Will the vot.
ers Of Windham county ratify the Sc
lection of the bosses when that ratifi
cation calls for the turning down of one
of our citizens? If not it behooves all to
turn out to the caucuses and see that
Stickney delegates, regarding whose
preference there can be no question of
doubt, are sent to Burlington. Bel
lows Falls Times.
CARRY ON THE GOOD WORK.
Machine rule and political ideals"
may easily be swept aside when they
come in conflict with public opinion.
The outcome of the late republican
convention is ready proof of the ease
with which all scheming and wire
pulling can be smashed when independ-
ent voters stand up to their convictions.
The present is an excellent opportu-
nifty to carry on the work inaugurated at
the Montpelier convention. There has
been entirely too much dictation to the
republicans in regard to state offices;
and this dictation proceeds as part of a
settled plan on the part of few indi-
vlduals to assume control of the party
and award positions as perquisite for
past favors, or a gift for future services.
We would be very glad to have at the
coming state convention a free, I'M
biased expression of opinion in rela-
ton to nominations to the governor
ship and minor offices. If, say,
three-fourths of our republicans would
pay no attention to politicians and let
newspaper appeals go for just what
they are worth, and send delegates to
the state convention who are honest,
trustworthy men, what vast improve
ment would be wrought in state poll
tics l-Landmark.