The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1896-03-18
Mattbman 4 9uurnaI.
ARTHUR ROPES, General Editor.


"THE mild modest and genial Waterman
on the ramparts of Montpelier calls upon
the Free Press to make good in detail certain
statements in regard to Hon. Josiah CIRCUITS
standing as a lawyer which stand credited
to contemporary not named. Why does
not the Watchman make its inquiries at first
hand9 What the Free Press said was that
major Grout is both good lawyer and
good practical farmer When that state
ment is seriously called in question, it will
be time enough to defend it,-Free Press"
The contemporary which said Major
Grout had attained distinction as well
as success financially in the law" the
Free Press declared was "right," and
clinched this avowal with further en-
dorsement of its own, having previously
stated that he "practiced law with sue
cess in Orleans county and in Chicago"
This was first hand" enough for any
court of law. So the WATCHMAN paid
the Queen City contemporary the COM
pliment of making its inquiries of " the
bell wether of the machine" instead
of one of its supernumeraries. The
WATCHMAN accepts the Free Press
bubble, published after several days
including Sunday-of rumination, for
what it was evidently intended to be,
plea of confession and avoidance. If
his statement has not already been
seriously called in question:" no chal-
lenge can be contrived that can bring
this doughty champion to the defence
of his client. -
THE fixing of the time for closing
the canvass for dele gates to st. Louis
adds interest to the candidates.. Wash
ington, the capital county of the state,
has invariably.-we believe-been &C.
corded delegate. Such, at least, has
been the custom for nearly genera
ton. The candidacy of Judge Stanton
was early announced, and until re-
Gently no other has been mentioned.
The name of Hon. j. W. Brock of
Montpelier has lately been associated
with the delegateship. Mr.. Brock is
abundantly qualified by personal ac-
quaintance, by political experience, and
by good sense and sound judgment, for
the Office of delegate. None is more
competent or better qualified for the
responsibilities of the office. If both
Judge Stanton and Mr.. Brock are can
didates from Washington county, it
will be for the convention to say which
shall be taken, or to decide that neither
shall be chosen. 1t is regretable that
the opposition to Judge Stanton was
first placed on grounds that should
leave republicans of Washington county,
or the district itself, no choice but to
stand by him, no matter what other
candidacy might come up. When it
was announced that Judge Stanton was
to be resisted because of the faithful
performance of official duty, an element
was introduced into the canvass that
ought never to have been brought in.
The situation has not been improved
by certain indecent and offensive per
sonal references to Judge Stanton and
his candidacy. This is not saying that
Mr.. Brock is responsible for or sympa-
thizes with an expressed purpose of the
opposition to Judge Stanton, and we
are confident that he does not; or thai
there would be reason or justice in op.
posing Mr.. Brock because democratic
paper and some republicans are fight
ing Judge Stanton on very low grounds
and in very villainous way. The
WATCHMAN gave publicity to Judge
Stanton's candidature long before Mr.
Brooks had been thought of or men
toned. 1t now performs similar ser
vice for the latter, and leaves the whole
matter of final selection where it be
longs-with the delegates that will b'
chosen.