Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1898-07-14
City REPRESENTATIVE.

The selection OF a candidate for city rep
rescntative has been the subject of ex-
tended discussion in republican circles in
Burlington during the past few days and
the trend of opinion has become so pro-
nounccd that 1t is now possible to speak
of the situation with n considerable de-
gree of deGniteness. The names of four
well-known citizens have been prominent
ly mentioned In connection with the re-.
publican nomination for representative
viz, those OF cx-Mayor w j. Van Patten
Mr.. j. b Scully All of these gentlemen
have friends who would gladly support
them for the nomination. In course Of
time the situation has simplincd itself so
that the outcome seems now to be prac-
tically settled. Mr. Taft and MIR. Scully
carly decided that they would not be cam
dldates. Mr. Van Patten. in response to
the solicitation of u number of his friends.
had come to think favorably of allowing
the use Of his name. when he learned that
MIR. Booth was an asp!rant for that honor.
He Immediately announced that he would
not be n candidate against Mr., Booth.
thus leaving the latter n clear field and
preparing the way for harmonious action
In the city caucus. This handsome act on
the part Of Mr.. Van Patten Is what might
have been expected of him. and 1t Will be
romem bered to his credit in days to come.
Mr.. Booth, whose nomination as the re-
publican candidate for representative
seems thus practically assured, is one of
our leading citizens, prominently Identified
with the manufacturing interests of Bur
lllgton. As general manager Of J. Il.
Hooth's varied and extensive lumber in
dustries in this city, he has come to be
widely known; and the influential part
which he took In securing the rebuilding
of the Booth mills after their destruction
by fire few years since, cnsuring Bur-
lington's retention of that large concern,
the removal of which from our city was
at that timc seriously contemplated, is
remembered gratefully by our people
without respect to party or creed. He has
host of friends, and he will make a
strong candidate.
The democrats whose names have been
suggested for represc NATIVE are Col, b, Il.
Smalley. J. w. McGeary and j. j. Enright.
Col. Smaley, in reply to an inquiry from
a representative OF the Free Press, said
that he was not a candidate for the de-
mooratlc nomination for representative
and that he could conceive of no circum-
stances under which he would be can
didatc, although he did not care to decline
a nomination in advance of a tender OF
one. 1t has been stated thst owing to
close personal friendship Mr.. McGeary
would not run for representative against
Mr. Booth, but as Mr.. McGeary is out OF
town for a few days we are unable to
state his position. MIR. Enrght is think
ing seriously of being a candidate, and II
MIR, McGeary decides to try for 1t, the
democratic nomination will rest between
the two.
Mr., Booth has many strong adherents
In the democratic ranks, and it will Do
necessary for that party to name It's
strongest man, II it hopes to make a good
showing against him. The chances are
as matters stand to-day, that Mr., Boott
viii be Burlington's next representatly,
In the Legislature.