Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1896-05-22
Major Grout and the GubernRtorial
Canvass.

Canvass.
In month from the present time the
preliminary canvass for the Vermont gov
ernorship will be over, and the campaign
will be on for Vermont's share in the
presidential contest of lS96. 1t is the
opinion of those who have the best oppor-
tunities for learning the sentiment of the
state that Maj)r Grout has held his
strength and gained friends since the can
vass began, and that there is no reasonable
doubt of his nomination by strong ma
jority. Major Grouts friends have moth
ing to regret in their pre-convention meth
ods. So far as these methods have found
public expression they have been honor
able and dignified. For the exceptions to
this rule which have marked the course OF
two or three of the Stickney papers we
think Mr.. Stickney himself should not be
held responsible. The grounds on which
Speaker Stickney's best friends base his
claim TO the governorship have been stated
by j. II. Merrifeld, the clerk of the house,
in a strong, courteous and comprehensive
article recently printed in The Phoenix.
No wise friend of Mr.. Stickney counten-
ances the bad blood shown in attacks which
have been made on Major Grout.
The charge upon which the changes have
been rung more frequently than any other
is that Major Grout is ring candidate
When candidly looked at this charge is
brought down TO the fact that Major Grout
has for years been known as one of the
prominent men of the state who might
some day aspire to gubernatorial honors.
This year seemed to be the favorable time
for him to make the canvass, it was begun
by the advice and help of his friends, and
has prospered. His course has been en-
tirely fair and honorable. He said frankly
at the start that he would like to be gov
ernor, asked for support and has used all
proper means to secure it. In this respect
his canvass has not been different from
that of other candidates for this Office.
No candidate of recent years has been
more distinctly a man of the people. Major
Grout was born farmers son, grew up in
the farm surroundings and learned to do
the farm work, had an ambition to get an
education and gratitied it by means of his
own energy and diligence, left school to
enlist in the army, served until disabled by
a bullet wound, studied law, and engaged
in the successful practice of that profes
sion, until, in 1880, he promoted himself
to the practice of the Oldest and most hon
: oroI I,la of oil DrofassiOns tho tillaUa and
practical management of good farm
This is his history in brief His expert
ence in state affairs has been gained
during six terms in the legislature, five il
the house and one in the senate. II,
served on important committees and proved
himself an able and efficient legislator. Ii
1874. 1886, and 1888 he was speaker of tn,
house.
Familiarity with state affairs has giveI
him pronounced ideas in matters of stat
policy, and should he be called to the gov
ernor's chair he will bring to his admins
tration breadth of view and genuine
sympathy with the people. He stand
committed to the policy of reducing stat
expenses to the lowest point consisten
with the public welfare, and if elected vii
use his knowledge and experience T.
introduce needed reforms so far as tn
influence of the executive can make itsel
felt.
The people of the state will have n
cause to regret Major CIRCUITS election a
governor, and they will make no mistak
in choosing delegates favorable to his can
didacy at the primary meetings, which
under the state committees call elsewher
published, will be held during the mex
three weeks.