News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1897-01-27
For Collector, Hon. OIin Merrill.

From the Burlington Daily News.
The rank and file of the Vermont
will be glad to learn that
Hon. DIN Merrill. chairman of the
Republican State Committee, is can
didate for the position of collector.
During the past months there have
been mutterings which indicated
deep-seated and widespread discon-
tent, because it appeared that the
choice of collector lay between Col. z.
NJ. Mansur and Col. G. G. Benedict.
Not that these gentlemen are not
good Republicans and worthy men,
and entirely capable of discharging
the duties of that office, but because
it is another illustration of the prac-
tice so long in vogue in Vermont OF
distributing the choice positions
among a limited few who are con-
slant feeders at the public crib.
Within the past few weeks this dis
content has found very general ex-
preston through the public press,
and We shall be greatly surprised if
the popularity of Mr.. Merrill's candi-
dacy does not find still more general
expression through the same medium.
1t must be confessed that in this
three sided contest the arguments
are all with Mr.. Merrill. He com
bines in an unusual degree the sue
cessful business man and the broad
man of affairs. He is a man of
marked executive ability, of sound
common sense, of rugged integrity
and fearless Independence. His friends
are legion, his enemies are none. He
is a worthy representative of the
younger and progressive element of
the party. AS representative of his
town in the General Assembly and as
Senator from his county and as chair
man of the railroad commission he
has shown his worth as a faithful
public servant.
His party services, notices. disinter-
ested than distinguished, are recog-
niz4d on every hand. His unani-
nous election as chairman of the Re-
publican State committee, four years
ago, after twelve continuous years of
faithful service upon the committee,
was not of his own choosing, and he
reluctantly accepted the duties and
responsibilities of the position at the
urgent request of the party leaders,
who, with good reason, desired the
benefit of his ability and experience
in the then approaching campaign,
as well as in the succeeding campaign,
the one which has just closed. In
both of these campaigns Mr.. Merrill
more than fulfilled INTERPRETATIONS.
The election of Gov. Woodbury., by
an precedented Republican vote, as
well as RApubli an majority, for an
off year, WAS in no small degree due
to his painstaking though far from
destinations method of organization.
The condition Of things in the r.
publican camp, at the opening of the
presidential campaign last July, is
still fresh in the minds of all. Disap.
pointment and disatfection at tae
result Of the most remarkable canvas
for the gubernatOIi4l nomination in
the history of the party, still ranked
in the breasts of many. Apathy wide
spread and profound broOded over
the campaign. The political prophet
was foretelling, with much show oil
reason, a republican majority of less
than 10000. 1t was limited, not
without reason, that the farmers,
suffering from continuous hard times
would vote for free silver. The issues
thrust upon us by the Chicago con.
ventiOn were not such as the lOcaI
campaign speakers could handlepop
uiarly and effectively without much
careful preparation. The National
Bureau of speakers was not yet or
gained and therefore could lend nc
assistance With all these and many
more difficulties before him, Mr.. Mer
rill set out to re-Organize the party
and lead it to victory; and it is nc
disparagement of the important ser
vice rendered by the rank and file O
the party by the sound money demo
Gratis ana by the republican press o
the State, to say that Chairman Mer
rill deserved all the praise that was
freely showered upon him at home
and abroad when the extent of thu
victory was made known.
With this record and these services
to speak in bis behalf, and the undis
guised popular disapproval of tn,
candidacy of the other gentlemen
mentioned, the result of the contes
should not be in doubt. Our delega
ton in Congress is made up of fair
minded men, who in all these matter,
intend to represent their party, anC
who have on divers occasions PROVED
their ability to "size up" the public
sentiment of the State. We shall b.
surprised if they do not find tn
workers in the party enthusiastic TO
Mr.. Merrill.
Governor Pingree of Michigan con
tinupS to acf 90 MavOr of Dat,o ri