Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1899-12-07
Political PrOlificnpSs.

Up to the present time no one, so far as
We have observed, has accused Chittenden
county of being afflicted with a paucity
Of political asplrants for the various Of
fees to be filed, State and federal. and
judging from present indications there
need be no apprehension of a dearth in
This direction for considerable period to
come Outside of this county the most
prolific political breeding ground is I'M
doubtedly to be found in the northeastern
part of tho State, as will readily appear
from glance at the present situation in
that section Of Vermont.
In the first place that region has four
United States senatorial possibilities, of
whom three are open candidates, the lat
ter being Hon. Jonathan Ross of St.
Johnsbury, Senator Morrill's successor
temporarily, Hon. W. W. Grout whose
home postofiice is put down ia the Con-
grossional directory as Barton, and Hon.
Charles A. Prouty of Newport member
of the Interstate commerce commission.
Another gentleman who has been favor
ably mentioned as an available man for
the senatorship is Hon. Henry c. Idc Of
ST. JohnSbury. formerly chief justice OF
Samoa, but it is understood that Judge
lde's name has been considered by come
of his friends in connection with diplo-
matte position, a service which he would
unquestionably adorn. Caledonia county is
also understood to have man in groom
ing for the gubernatorial race in the per-
son OF Lieut.-Gov II. c. Bates of ST.
Johnsbury, although at last accounts he
! had not definitely decided whether or not
he would receive sufficient encouragement
to warrant his entering the field in CO.
position to eX-Speaker w. W. Stickney Of
Ludlow.
Turning to the congressional canvass in
the Second district we find that north
eastern Vermont is not without represel-
tatives in that struggle Hon. W. T..
Stafford of St. Johusbury has succeeded
in securing recognition as an available
candidate for the congressional nomina-
ton in spite of the earnest but nl-drect-
ed efforts of certain aspirants for other
positions to head him off for reasons of a
politico-g geographical nature. 1t is also
reported that still another new candidate
Tor CCGSreSs mas appeared In Col. Porter
II, Dale of Island Pond, a gentleman who
Is in many ways well qualified to shine
in the position of congressman.
1t is very evident that the appearance Of
all these candidates in that section must
prove embarrassing for those in the Sec
end district who first started out in the
political race inasmuch as VermoUterq
are proverbally as jealous regarding "A
well balanced geographical distribution OF
their public houors, as they are hn rela-
ton to the recognition Of their rights gen.
orally. 1t Is nothing against locality "a
have so many aspirants for office, for
their appearance simply indicates a
plethora OF strong men. This proliicnes'
is, however, embarrassing for the friends
Of the numerous candidates who must
choose between them and at the same
time a handicap for the political sspir.
ants themselves who must consequently
enter a scramble for home support result
ing Ia the survival of the strongest if not
the fittest.