The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1898-05-25
GrOut or Read.

Editor Of the Wotchman;-I was some
what Interested In the articles in the last
issue OF the WAToHMAN, with reference to
congressional matters in the second district,
but in reference to same, it seems to me
that II correspondents desire to influence
the voters OF the district by advocating the
peculiar fitness OF the candidates of their
choice, they should, at least give the won
dering public q knowledge as to their iden-
tty that they may judge for themselves
whether the opinions expressed emanate
from men OF good judgment, influence in
tegrity, and express their honest opinion.
1t often proves that these anonymous
communications originate, though some
times indirectly, from the candidates d-
rectly in interest, or from friends who have
their own selfish interests in mind, so that
their judgment is often warped by their
ambition. 1 am zone of Many" who would
like to know the present post-office adj
dress OF your correspondent who poses un-
der that nom de plume, and think that
knowledge would reveal the cat in the meal.
General Grout may have reached his
level in Congress" years ago. Men do not
usually show extraordinary life, vitality
and ability. and spring at once into promi-
nence, as men Of extraordinary greatness,
after their fifty-ffth year, unless there has
been some indication Of their superiority
prior to that period OF their existence.
Thinking perhaps that zone OF Many"
may be OF the younger generation. or If not,
| intends to deceive some OF the younger
| voters OF the district wish to call atten-
ton to comparison Of brief biographical
| sketch OF General Grout and Judge Read as
| found in the Legislative Directory, Ullery's
"Men of Vermont" and the Roster OF Yer
mont Volunteers On page ffty-eight Of the
Vermont, is the following "Read, Levant
M, residence, Jamaica, date of enlistment,
| July 13, '63, date of muster, July 10, '63.
Remarks, drafted; wounded, May 8, 1854;
transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps Feb
| ruary 81, '65; mustered out, July 10, Co."
He was a member of the House of Repre-
sentatives in 1894, and his biographical
sketch in the Legislative Directory for that
year says:
"Was a private in Company II, Second
Vermont Volunteers; was member Of the
| House OF Representatives in 1892; has been
States attorney of Windham county; is
now judge of probate for the district OF
| Westminster, having held the Office since
1886; religious preference, Universalist."
| OF W. w. Grout:-In July, 1862, enlisted
with company Of volunteers from Barton,
was made their captain, subsequently pro-
noted to be lieutenant colonel (ft associate
Of Redfeld Proctor, the gallant colonel Of
the Fifteenth Regiment which was at
tached to the brigade of General Stannard,
afterwards so famous for the repulse OF
Pickett's charge at Gettysburg) In 1864 he
was elected brigadier general, and assigned
by the Governor to the command Of one OF
the brigades of the militia to guard the
Canadian frontier. In 1856 and 1866 he
served as States attorney, and represented
the town OF Barton in 1865 1869, 1870 and
1874; and in 1876 was Senator from Orleans
county and made president pro tenn; in
1880, member Of Congress; in 1884 was cleo
ted to the forty-ninth Congress and, as the
records show, has served on large number
Of the most important committees.
From the above, it would hardly seem
reasonable that Judge Read, IL elected
would at once spring into the prominen
position in Congress claimed by Zone OIL
Many"
LET the district assert ITSELF" Vernon
has ever had reason to be proud Of hel
delegation in Congress. II we have men
at this critical time in the history OF oul
country, whose ability and work in the
past have met with proper recognition tt
assure US beyond q reasonable doubt that
their election to Congress would bring ad
ditional credit and honor to Vermont, then
1t is the duty OF every true citizen to worh
for their election, but until such proof Ii
given, let US see to it that Vermont takei
no backward step.
Respectfully submitted,
MARTIN W. WHERLoCK.
The foregoing communication was re
ceived at the eleventh hour, when the
WArcHMAN's space was preoccupied by
other matter. In making room for it we &C
cord to supporter Of Gen. Grout a court
esy we could hardly have shown an op
ponent The communication suggests
some things that may be the subject of com
ment hereafter. Editor Of WATCHMAN.