Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1896-04-30

Montpelier, April 2S-The first gun Of
the campaign of 1896, so far as Vermont is
concerned, was fired here to-day at the
convention and rally of the Republican
league of the State The business meet
ing was held at the Golden Fleece this aft
ternoon the band escorting the delegates
from the hotels to the scene of tho meet
ing. About 300 delegates, representing
30 clubs were in attendance. President q.
r. Childs of ST. Adams called the meeting
to order at O'Clock and Secretary w. b.
Gates Of Burlington read the call for the
convention. The calling of tho roll was
omitted. On motion of C. II. Darling of
Bennington the president appointed a
committee consisting of one from each
county to nominate officers for the ensu-
Ing year and delegates to the national con-
vention at Milwaukee. The committee
was as follows:
Addison-Sherrod Brown.
Bennington-C. II. Darling.
Caledonia--I. II. Shattuck.
Chttenden-J. f. Cushman.
Essex-G. f. Clark.
Franklin-R. o. Sturtevant.
Grand Isle-N. w. Fisk.
Lamoille--W. II. Robinson.
OranSe-J. X. Darling.
Orleans-W. w. Dow.
Rutland-F. A. Field
Washington-L. w. Shedd.
Windham-L. s. Hayes.
Windsor-J. r. Pollard.
Hon. Fl. s. Peck of Burlington thought
that while the committee were at work
II would be in order to hear from some one
of the prominent republicans present and
suggested Gen. ]. c. Mccullough OF North
bennington. The suggestion met with a
hearty response and Gen. Mccullough took
the platform.
GEN. M'CULLOUGH'S REMARKS.
Gen. Mccullough said that it was always
In order to discuss the issues probable
platform and even probable candidates of
the republican party. For 40 years the
republican party has been the party that
has led In all reforms. The republican
platform of 1896 will declare for sound cur
rency The United States is not yet old
enough to adopt any so cent dollar. The
standard will be gold and every obligation
will be paid in the same money that was
current when the obligation was made.
The platform will declare FOR protection
on the farm, in the home and in the busy
marts of trade. 1t will also declare for
reciprocity and in favor of commercial
treaties by which it shall gain as much
as it gives-in short, the reciprocity of
Blaine. (Cheers.) 1t will declare in favor
OF the Monroe doctrine to the extent that
this continent is for republlcanism as it
is understood by the United States Now
who will be the candidate? Vermont is
for Levi p Morton, Vermont is for Will
liam b. Allison, Vermont Is for william
Mckinley great cheering), Vermont Ia for
Thomas Bracket Reed (great cheering),
Vermont Is for the man whom the St.
Louis convention shall see fit to nominate.
Who will be the democratic candidate
There is a great dearth of candidates.
They say perhaps in 1900, but not this re-
publican year.
Gen. Mccullough then referred at length
to the possible republican candidate,
speaking of the good qualities OF Allison,
Morton, Mckinley, Reed and Harrison.
The mention of McKinley's name created
great enthusiasm and when the applause
had subsidized Gen. Mccullough said that
II Mark Hanna kept his hand on the
throttle the Empire Etate express was
already distanccd. Speaker Reeds name
was almost as loudly cheered.
Gen. Mccullough said that the best dele
cation Vermont could send was an unin-
structed delegation. To-morrow's conven-
ton would select good men and the speak
err went on to show in a practical way
how 1t might work to the advantage of
Vermont's candidate, whoever he might
be- IL the delegation were not tied down
to any ore man. This, he said. was the
moral of his whole talk.
The committee reported in part as fol-
lows:
Observation-Disclosures S. Peck of Burling-
ton.
ce-Presidents-Frank Kenfed of Nor
risville, Barney Cannon, jr., of Bellows
Falls, James w. Brock of Montpelier.
Observation-Disclosures S. Forbes of st. AL
bans.
rreasurer-Trank A. Dwinell of Mont
pelter.
Executive committee--F. A. Turtle of