Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1896-05-07
Vermont For McKinley,

Vermont For Mckinley.
The republicans OF Vermont, through
their representatives In convention assem-
bled, have expressed their presidential
preferences by calling for the nomination
OF ex-Gov. Mckinley of Ohio. The con-
vention which reached this result at Mont
peher April 90. was a magnificent gath
ering. All sections of the State were we'll
represented, and a more enthusiastic as
semblage of republicans never met in
Vermont. 1t was evident at the first meet
ing OF the Republican League that our
people were overwhelmingly in favor of
Major Mckinley. but the sentiment for
him grew SO rapidly that at the opening
OF Wednesdays convention Il was like a
mighty torrent ready to sweep all before
It. The choice Of the delegates was so
plain that not a few strong adherents of
Major Mckinley thought nothing was to
be gained by dlsregarding republican prec-
edents in Vermont and debating to the
delegates to the national convention, and
this number included some of his strong
est friends as well as some Of the most
level heads. The majority Of his follow
ers thought otherwise, however especial
ly as they believed Reed sentiment
prompted few to favor the policy named,
and one OF the first things the convention
did after perfecting an organization was
to pass a resolution for Mckinley and
cheer to the echo for the Little Cor
poral' OF protection.
The growth OF Mckinley sentiment In
Vermont has not been due to any outside
management or manipulation. Republic
cans OF Vermont are first and always for
protection. and their marked enthusiasm
for Ohio's favorite son IL due to the fact
that with tho masses and the plain people
ne represents the principle OF protection.
The demand for Mckinley in the Green
Mountain State results from the spontan-
eous sentiment OF the people: and that the
Vermont delegation to ST. Louis will seek
to carry out tho expressed wishes of the
people in connection with the choice
OF a presidential candidate does not ad-
nit of doubt.
1t Is true that the Mckinley resolution
adopted expressly deprecates tho break
ing of the precedent Of sending instructed
delegations to national conventions, but
our delegates to ST. Louis will feel in duty
bound to seek to obey the mandate of
their constituents. 1t As, possible of
course, to conceive of developments that
would Justify the Vermont delegation to
the national convention in disregardng
the expressed preference, showing that
they are not positively instructed; but
"they know the people know they know
the sentiment of Vermont republicans, as
-.
It is safe to say the delegation will faith
fully voice at st. Louis the presidential
preference so strongly expressed in yes
terday's State convention.
That the action of Vermont republican,
In endorsing ex-Gov. Mckinley at this
time and coming out unequivocally agains
the free coinage of silver, will have 9
powerful influence on the canvass is eJi
dent There have been indications OF Nc
Kinley sentiment In New Hampshire art
Connecticut, but the Green Mountain
State is the first New England Common
wealth to break away from Speaker Reed
the New England candidate in favo
OF the champion of protection
Vermont Politics and Candidates.
In the State and district conventions 70
the choice of delegates to the natona
convention representative republican,
Mom every county of course have hat
ample opportunities for comparison o
views. 1t was time for the disqualification
of preferences, In regard to the compost
tion of the State ticket, and on variou
points the Indications, have been so dis
tinct, as to leave little or no room 70
doubt as to the final outcome. No doub
can now renaiQ In the mind OF any one
who has taken the pains to improve thes
opportunities for information, that tn
name Of Josiah Circuit will head the re
publican State ticket. The preference 70
him, heretofore expressed by many lead
ing citizens In every county In Vermont
is evidently shared by the masses OF tn
voters in almost every county. The can
vass In his behalf has made steady an
strong progress from the outset and
has received an impulse from the obviou
preponderance OF sentiment In his favor
In all three of the conventions, whIc
will leave little OF no room for any cor
test In the convention. The conventio
will have the simple and pleasant tas
OF recording choice already distinct
made by the great majority Of the reput
liean voters.
Such virtual settlement OF the governo
question naturally brings Into prominence
the etksr places on the ticket; and In re-