The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1898-06-22
As TO County Affairs,

The situation as outlined last week
has undergone some changes. AT the
Barre city caucus list of delegates op.
posed to the candidacy of w. f. Morse
for Senator, and favoring the nomina.
alton of Richard A. Hoar for States
attorney, was chosen by vote of 95 to
90. Over-confidence on the part of
Mr.. Morse's supporters is given as the
reason for the unexpected issue Of the
caucus. Mr.. Morse is, therefore, not a
candidate for the senatorship, The
Middlesex caucus unanimously espous-
ed the candidature of Q. g. Putnam
for the Office of Senator, disclaiming
any desire or purpose to be represent
ed in any other Office.
The outcome of the Barre caucus.
brings into the canvass the candida
ture of Richard A. Hoar of Barre for
States attorney, against Fred l.. Laird
of Montpelier Now, in respect of this
matter, the WATCAMAN does not hest
tate to say to the people OF Washing
ton county, and particularly to the
temperance people, that in its judg-
ment security for the good work done
by Judge Stanton and Mr.. Rowland,
and the continuation of that work, as
between these two candidates calls i'm
peratively for the nomination of Mr..
Laird No question of locality solely
should decide as to the choice of the
States attorney. 1t is The matter of
special and demonstrated fitness for
the important duties of the Office that
should determine the selection of the
candidate. AS the Burlington Free
Press, commenting ON this subject in
its relation to Chittenden county af-
fairs, said:
The States attorneyship has increased in
Importance during the past few years to a
marked degree and lite duties demand ex-
perience as well as ability in the incumbent.
The Office pays so well that it ought
to command good talent, and it is to be
nOpCu NhhI tilO lsCIuDllCdno VI Oultltuutu
county will take these facts into serious
consideration"
1t is to be hoped that the Republi-
cans of Washington county, also, twill
take these facts into serious considera-
tion," and select for this Office a lawyer
whose professional ability and expert
ence, whose surroundings and whose
record, give the strongest assurance
that he will faithfully, impartially, and
successfully enforce all the laws of the
State. AS to his personal honesty and
integrity, resolution and sagacity, in
the performance of official duty and in
all his private and personal relations as
a man and citizen, Mr.. Laird is above
reproach or suspicion-and this does
not mean that his strongest endorsers
and supporters for the States attorney
ship have always agreed with him in
public matters. 1t means, rather, that
in such instances they have recognized
in him sturdy opponent, who prose-
cutes his causes and defends his person
al rights and opinions against all COM
ers, in way that is the leading charac.
teristic of strong man. He cannot
be cajoled or intimidated, and his
equanimity is not easily disturbed.
The objection to Mr.. Laird on the
ground that he was, until some six
years ago, Democrat is pitiful in its
pettiness. That argument would have
ruled out Paul Dillingham; from the
governorship in the sixties and would
exclude thousands of some of the best
Republicans of to-day from the honors
of office holding. Do the Republicans
who are making this appeal to political
prejudice intend to discourage CONVEX
sions to their political faith by serving
notice on converts from the party of
Bryan that they are welcome to come
into the Republican fold, become hew-
ers of wood and drawers of water in
their new party associations, but, as for
holding Office, that is another thing?
| We guess not.