Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1896-06-22

THE STORY OF THE CAMPAIGN.

Briefly told, the history of the ex-
citing pre- convention campaign,
which has resulted in the nomination
of Maj. Josiah Grout for governor, is
about as follows: For several years
there has been desire on the part of
Major CIRCUITS friends in various Sec
tions of the State that he be brought
forward as candidate for governor.
Through his own desires and the ad
vice of his friends he has heretofore
kept his name out of conventions and
supported other men. During the
last two years,so far as talk and COM
mon opinion have been concerned, he
has been the most prominent candi-
date before the people. To say that
Mr.. Grout is unlike other men, and
that he was not gratified by the many
assurances of respect and desires ex-
pressed that he might be mace gov
ernor of the State, would be false.
The time seemed propitious; there
was no lack of proffered support, and
the matter had SO long been agitated
that Maj. Grout had practically been
nominated by the people. Whether
right or wrong, he was in it. That be-
ing the case, he took means to ascer-
ties seemed to favor him, and the as
surances and information emphatical-
ly indicated that they did.
The time came when it seemed best
to make public announcement that he
was in the field, and this paper and
others were permitted to SO state.
Up to this time no other candidate
had appeared, whose candidacy seem
ed to indicate that sharp contest
would be made. 1t soon transpired,
however, that w. w. Stickney. for
lifetime almost conn ected with the
Vermont legislature, had aspirations
for the place, and that he was plan
ming canvass. He had a very re-
spectacle reputation as man, had
won considerable credit as a clerk and
a speaker in the house of representa-
tives, and, withal, was a good fellow
with fair ability. His acquaintance
with the politicians of the State was
quite extensive and he had friends
in house members and State officials
in all localities.
While he could set in motion large
number of small wheels on his own
accord, there were larger wheels
which other men in higher or lower
positions might attach to the little
ones for the purpose of defeating
what was called sthe Grouts." With
these men relegated to obscurity, or
put high on the shelves, opportunities
seemed to open to them, which might
be best secured in the elevation of
Mr.. Stickney to the gubernatorial
chair. While an organ in Washington
county is striving habitually to create
the impression that the whole world
is going to destruction on account of
cliques and rings, there are at the
same time set of young fellows about
Montpelier who are habitually plan
ming and plotting to manage the po
litical affairs of the State. Their or
gan and assumed mouth piece mean
while is trying to convince ssthe peo-
pie" that the wicked politicians out
side are driving things to destruction.
Like some black imp of crow, who
sets himself high on stub or limb in
seeming innocence to detract atten-
ton, while his dozen black rascal COM
paniOns are down in the cornfield
pulling corn, SO this organ is conceal
ing its true purposes and helping to
shield those who are really doing the
mischief. These fellows set up the
ring, which proved to be very pow
erful one. It's broadcast scheme was
nothing less than the defeat of Gen.
Grout, the complete ousting of the