St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1897-01-29
For Collector. Hon. DIN Merrill.

For Collector, Hon. DIN Merrill.
The rank and file OF the Vermont repuo-
Leans will be glad to learn that Hon.
DIN Merrill, chairman Of the republican
state committee is a candidate for the
position OF collector During the past
months there have been mutterlngs
which indicated deep seated and wide
spread discomfort, because it appeared
that the choice of collector lay between
Col. \. NJ. Mansur and Col. G, 6. Bene-
dict Not that these gentlemen are not
good republicans and worthy men, ana
entirely capable of discharging the duties
of that office but because it is another
illustration of the practice so long IN
vogue in Vermont Of distributing the
choice positions among limited lew
who are constant feeders at the public
crib. Within the past few weeks this dis
content has found very general express
sion through the public press, and we
shall be greatly surprised il the popularity
of Mr.. Merrills candidacy does not ind
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 combines in an unusual
degree the successful business man and
the broad man Of affairs. He is 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
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 chairman of the rail
road commission he has shown his worth
as faithful public servant.
His party services, not less disin-
terestcd than distinguished, are recog-
nzed on every hand. His unanimous
election as chairman of the republican
state committee, four years ago, after
twelve continuous years OF faithful SER
vice upon the committee, was not OF his
own choosing, and he reluctantly ac-
cepted 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 ex'
perience in the then approaching cam
paign, as well as in the succeeding cam
paien, the one which has just closed. Ii
both of these campaigns Mr.. Merrill
more than fulfilled their expectations
The election OF Gov. Woodbury., by al
unprecedented republican vote, as well rs
republican majority, for an Oft year, was
IN no small degree due to his painstakin&
though far from ostentatious method o
organization. The condition of thing
in the republican camp, at the opening o
the presidential campaign last July, II
still fresh in the minds ofal!. Disappoint
ment and dsafitction at the result OF tn
most remarkable canvass for the guber
. material nomination in the history OF tn
party, still ranked in the breasts o
many. Apathy widespread and pro
found brooded over the campaign. TIL
political prophet was foreteling, wit
much show OF reason, republican ma
4 joIity of less than 10000. twas limited
e not without reason, that the farmers
I suffering from continuous hard times
9 would vote Tor free silver. The issue
thrust upon us by the Chicago CONVEX
ton were not such as the local campaig
speakers could handle popularity an
- eff, ctively without much careful prepar;
Il ton. The national bureau of speaker
= was not yet organized, and, therefor
| could lend no assistance. With all the:
d and many more difficulties before hin
, Mr. Merrill set out to re-organize tt
V party and lead it to victory; and it is i
4 disparagement of the important serv
rendered by the rank and file of the part
by the sound money democrats and |
le the republican press of the state, to 81
T. that Chairman Merrill deserved all t
NJ praise that was freely showered upC
him at home and abroad when the {
-. tent OF the victory was made known,
With this record and these services
- speak in his behalf, and the undisguis
- popular disapproval of the candidacy
IL the other gentlemen mentioned, the
", suit of the contest should not be
he doubt. Our delegation in congress
&C made up OF tairminded men, who in
ell these matters intend to represent tn
;s party, and who have on divers occasic
no proved their ability to "size up
public sentiment OF the state We sh
be surprised il they do not find
he workers in the party enthusiastic
-. Mr.. Merrill-[ Burlington News.
Apple Growing In Grand Isle.
or Bulletin SO of the experiment stat
treats OF annie growing in Grand