Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1899-12-14
The FIRST District Why Judge Pow
ers should Succeed Himself

CTS oIOulu ouCCtGu Himself
The situation in this congressional dis
trct is follows: In view of the fact
that Judge II. II. Powers had had five
elections to Congress- and Of an irrespon-
sible rumor that he might decline a re-
election, various gentlemen who were will
ing to succeed him began, last summer, to
make their aspirations known. In La
noble county, ex-Gov. Carroll $. Page in
augurated an exter sive epistolaiy and
literary canvass--the latter conducted
chiefly outside of the dstrict-both of
which seem TO have somewhat subsidized.
la Chittenden county eX-Mayor Hamilton
S. feck of this city and Railroad Commits
sioner u. j. Foster next appeared in the
field. From Bennington county came the
word that Hon j. *. Batchelder would
renew his effort to represent the district
Later Col. Joel C. Baker of Rutland was
announced as a candidate with a promise
/ of considerable support from that county.
Still later Franklin county candidate ap-
peared in the person of A. A. Hall, Esq,
Of St Adams. Two counties in the district
have not thus far formally presented any
aspirants for the nomination. though G.
NJ Wilds, Esq, of Middlebury, has been
more or less talked of in Addison county,
and ex-Lieut. Gov. Fisk. of Grand Isle
county, could possibly be persuaded to
accept a nomination to Congress- if it
were to be cordially presented to him.
The one fact which stands out most
prominently from this view of the situa-
ton is that there is no concentration of
opinion throughout the district as a whole
ia favor of any man in opro sltion to Con
gressman Powers.
Judge Powers has in the meantime main
tanned dignfied and honorable position.
lie said at the outset, that he would
chcerfully acccde to any prevailing desire
in the district for a change of representa-
tive. if SUCH a desire should become man
ifest. He, however, did not feel inclined 10
step down upon the invitation of any rival
or competitor, preferring. naturally. to re-
ceive any possible notice of the kind
directly from his constituents who have
given him such large confidence and sup
port in the past rather than from any as
Irant or the organ of any aspirant Ho
has organized no literary bureau. lie has
not asked this paper, and We presume
has asked 10 paper in the State, for its
support. He has employed no retaners
or hcnchmen But he has, as we believe,
taken some pains to ascertain the actual
and unbiased wish of the republican
masses of mis- district, as gained through
responsible sources with the suit that
outside of a few interested circles he finds
no general demand for a charge of rep
resentative to which he should bow He
is therefore a candidate to succeed HIM
self in compliance with the desire of many
voters in all parts of the district whose
wishes are entitled TO respect, and upon
his own merits, and without combination
with any competitor for the nomination.
1t is a square, open, and credtabe can
ddacy.
Denying to no man the right to enter
upon an honorable competition for any
elective office, and recognizing in some of
the aspiriuts named qualities which may
well enttle them TO favorable considera-
ton, when the time for q change OF rep
Iosentative comes, our own clear convic-
ton is that no change is now desirable.
our information, also, is to the effect that
the feeling that it is better to make no
change, during the coming campaign, Is
becoming increasingly manifest all oVeC
the district. To this conclusion one con-
sideration, doubtless is powerfully con-
tributing. 1t is that as Congressman Grout
has declined a reelection in the Second
district If Judge Powers is not reiurned
Vermont will be represented in the House
by two new men. The new man, in Con.
sress. however able, is an apprentice. lie
gets TO recognition from tho speaker. If
he is placed on any committee il is at the
tail of some unimportant one. 1t takes
him one term to get acquainted with his
brother members, and at the departments F,
and beyond the routine of business as "A
member, he can accomplish little for his
of his State on the floor of the House.
With two new and untricl men, vermont
would be nowhere, Now, the representa-
tive OF this district, in any classification
OF Congress, Is placed among the leaders
of his party. He is a strong debater, and
Is listened to, whenever he speaks, with
attention and respect. He knows the
} ropes and can accomplish vastly more for
the people of Vermont than any new
man. He is, as our readers know, watch
fnl for any opportunity to serve his Ststc
He is working member. To supersede