St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1898-06-22
GEN. CIRCUIT RENOMlNATED.
Second District Convention Names Him by
Handsome Majority.

Second District Convention Names Him by
Handsome Majority.
[Reported for the CALEDoNIAN.1
The contest over the congressional
nomination for this district, which has
been waged so warmly during the past
few weeks, closed yesterday at Mont
pelier with the denomination of Gen. W.
W. Grout by 55 plurality over Judge L.
M. Read Of Rockingham, and "a major
ity over all.
The convention was largely attended,
and interest was at fever heat. Judge
Reads friends had put large amount of
work into the canvass, and up to within
week of convention day it was thought
the vote might be decidedly close. Gen.
Grout's supporters, however, felt quite
certain of a substantial majority, when
the convention was ready for business /;
and the result proved that they had not
miscalculated.
Chairman Dawson of the district COM
mittee called the convention to order,
prayer was offered by Rev. DIR. Seaver,
and Secretary Shattuck read the formal
call. Hon. ]. L. Martin Of Brattleboro
was chosen chairman, and presided in
good style over the deliberations of the
august body. In his opening remarks he
paid due tribute to Vermont and Yer.
monters in general, and to the brilliant
men that the second district had produced
in particular. F. c. Howe and L. B
| Johnson were chosen as secretaries of the
convention.
The nominating and seconding speeche:
were brief and to the point, in the main
but an unfortunate slip was made by ont
of Judge Reads seconders, whose hint as
to the voters of the district being gov
erned from Washington instead OF by
the wishes of the people did not ado
strength to his candidates cause, ane
might well have been left unspoken.
Gen. Grout was nominated by c. ]
Jones of Barton, who reviewed his candi
dates carer in congress and spoke O
the position and rank accorded him ; EN-
phasized the Importance of the worl
done by him there, his usefulness in com
mittee duties and his general zeal ant
alertness in behalf of his constituents
and the value OF sending good men t
congress and keeping them there.
| Col. Geo. w. Hooker Of Brattlebor
nominated Judge Read, meeting tn
statements ofthe Barton man with til
remark, "There are Others" He charat
terized the Bellows Falls gentleman a
one abundantly equipped to represen
the district creditably in congress
man of courage and ability.
Gen. Grout's nomination was SECONDED
in behalf of 43 out OF "a delegates fron
Windsor county, by majority iron
Washington county, by Orange count,
entire, by 20 out Of % in Essex, and b,
Alex Dunnett in behalf OF 81 out of S;
delegates from Caledonia. Mr.. Dunnet
insisted that the Second district wa
governed by the people, and they hat
had in congress for 16 years man WHIT
did something.
Judge Reads nomination was seconded
by about half of Windsor county's dele
CATION, by minority from Washington
and by F. T. Porter in behalf of the two
delegates from Burke.
Messrs. Jones, Hooker, Sargent, Lund
Stearns, Huse and Stevens were appoint
ed tellers, votes were collected and tn
result was:
Whole number votes, 396
Necessary for choice, 1919
w. w. Grout had ops
l.. M. Read had ITO
Scattering,
And Gen. Grout was declared the nom
inee of the convention, with majority
of 54. He was called out, and made {
brief speech, expressing thanks for th
honor bestowed, reviewing the country
present situation to some extent, ant
pledging his best efforts in behalf OF hi
constituency.
The convention was good-natured ant
enthusiastic, and applauded generousl,
the mention Of Mckinley, Dewey, Grout
Read and other names. The band en-
livened the occasion with national airs
the hall was patriotically decorated, ant
the galleries were fairly well filled will
state convention delegates who wanted
to enjoy the fun.
The committee on resolutions, made VI
of one delegate from each county in tn
district, reported in loyal allegiance t.
republican principles, and pledged tn
Second district wing of the party to con
tinued and devoted adherence to repub
lican ideas.
The old district committee was re
elected, namely, Amory Dawson o
Cratsbury, Ira A. Shattuck of Hardwick
{. O. Robbins OF Brattleboro, ]. F. Meat
of Randolph, F. G. Howland oi Barre, F
| d. Hale of Lunenburg.