Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1899-03-24


GOV. Carroll =. Page.--some OF the
circumstances which VIII UompIIcate
the Contest.
From the St. Johnsbury Republican,
Without doubt the next two years are to
be time of the greatest political activity
Vermont perhaps has ever seen. Prizes
well worth the toll and expense of hard
political battle are in sight, and instead of
the ways being all creased for the launch
ing into Office of men who have long been
slated for the position, Vermonters will
be treated to taste of politics such as OBJ
tains in states where the two great parties
are more evenly divided. From the dis
lance 1t looks as though the men who have
dominated politics in the past would exert
less influence in the approaching contests
and the individual voter be more of
power.
Although strife is certain on the east
side of the state, it is with that feeling
that makes neighbor's troubles far more
pleasant subject than your own that talk is
plenty in the second congressional district
about what is going TO happen over the
mountains.
There is no longer any doubt that Con-
gresham Powers cannot be reelected with
out a contest That ex.-Gov. Carroll 5.
Page of Hyde Park, will be his most formid-
able antagonist is almost certain. That
Congressman Powers, with his recognized
skill in politics, his many influential
friends, his prestige Of a successful career
in the house, his reputation as a fighter,
will lay down his hDnors without a contest
is not to be thought of.
Rumor has it that on the outskirts of
the fight, watching for an opportunity to
slip between the lances of the leaders and
grasp the prize, will be found Hon. d. j..
Foster of Burlington, whose wings having
been strengthened by years of minor office
holding, now longs to try them in holder
fights, Hon. II. S. Peck, also of Burlington,
seemingly nothing daunted by his recent re-
versal in local politics, and the Hon. j. h.
Batchelder of Bennington county, whose
eyes have longingly been turned Washing
forward these many years. The rules and
formulas of permutations and combina-
tions are of no avail in calculating what
this multiplicity of candidates may result
in, but just at present Powers and Page
are on the bills for the leading parts.
Their support is yet TO be announced,
although some of the cast can be pretty
safely reckoned on. Chief among Gov.
Pages supporters is to be counted Senator
Proctor, for 1t is not conceivable that he
would not do all in his power to aid the
man who placed him in the Senate. With
=. w. Clement, Senator Proctor's only
rival in the control of Rutland county, alb
sorbed in railroad matters, this would seem
to give Gov. Page the advantage in that
county. Outside of any local candidate,
Bennington county is likely to flock to the
man who promises the most TO further GU
bernatorial ambition of Hon. j. G.. Nc
Cullough. Addison county would seem to
be fair fighting ground for both forces with
but little advantage at the start for either
candidate Chittenden county without 10.
cal candidates is still more of an unknown
quantity. Politicians are thick in that
county and its greed for the good things
that come through the voters of the state
is notorious.
What remnant Of influence is left to ex-
Gov. Woodbury. may be counted for Con
gresham Powers, not only on account OF
family ties, but because Mr. Page made
him wait four years for the governorship.
Up in Franklin county the Central Yer
mont influence, whatever that may be
after the road passes to the Grand Trunk,
can hardly be counted upon as yet. 1t is
said that it is not as friendly to Mr.. Powers
as it has been in the past, but this is only
rumor unfortitied by reasons for the
change. Collector Olin Merrill, of consid-
cradle influence in Franklin county mat
tiers, is not likely to be over friendly 10
Congressman Powers on account of the
fight for the position which Mr.. Merrill
now holds. Lamoille county, the home OF
both of the candidates, will be the scene OF
hard fighting with the result in doubt I'M
til the smoke of the primaries has rolled
away and the delegates can be seen under
the Page or Powers banner.
Already the foundations for this contest
are being laid deep and strong. The east
side will watch the rearing of the lines OF
offence and defence with what interest can
be spared from home troubles, with inter
est the deeper from the fact that Lamoille
county is as much an east as a west side
county. The state has had taste of the
energy that Gov. Page puts into politi-
cal contest, and with such a politician as
Senator Proctor at his back there will be
fast time made in the race for Congress on
the west side.
What influence the election of senator
will have upon the contest is beyond hu.
man ken, yet it is safe to predict that one
will not be urged without reference to the
other.