Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1899-01-19
a Lively Political Outlook.

The appointment of Chief Judge Ross of
Senate to succeed the late Senator Morrill,
dsposes of the question of the Senatorial
succession for the present but every YER
monter and in particular every practical
politician of the State knows that the con-
test over the Senatorship has only fairly
begun. There will be no diminution from
this time on in the efforts of the friends of
the various Senatorial aspirants to ensure
the election as Senator of their respective
favorites next year, and big political stakes
will be played for the control of the
Legislature Of 1900. 1t is possible that the
appointment of Hon. Henry C. Ide of St.
Johnsbury to the Supreme bench might re-
move him from the list of active Senator
ial candidates, as has been suggested; hut
the chances are that his friends will per-
sist in urging his candidacy upon the peo-
pie. no matter what the developments may
be with reference to the Supreme Court
vacancy.
In any event there is certain to be hot
contest over the election of Senator by the
serve out the two years of Senator Nor
rill's unexpired term. which will then re-
main. 1t will be surprising If strong
movement is not started by the friends of
Senator Ross to return him to the Senate
TOR the remainder of the term, in which
event fourth possibility will be added
to the list of which Northeastern Vermont
that the contest before the Legislature
will be between ex-Gov. William r. Dill
bingham of Waterbury, Hon. Charles A..
Prouty of Newport and Congressman Will
liam W. Grout of Barton, with the propa
bilties very strongly in favor of the cleo
ton OF Dillingham;.
Gen. Grout can not very well run for
two different offices at one and the same
time, and nasmuch as he has been groom
ing for years in preparation for the Sena-
torial contest 1t Is safe to say that he will
retire from the field as a Congressional
possibility. This will open up the oppor-
tunity so long desired by various aspirants
district, and with Hon. Frank Plumley of
n ortnneld, hon. L.. M. Read OF Bellows
Falls, Speaker Kittredge Haskins and Gen.
J. j. Estey of Brattleboro and Col Il. NJ.
Mansur of Island Pond and Newport
among the possibilities, the outlook ia
promising for an intense struggle on the
East side of the State.
Nor will the Second district alone be tho
scene of a lively Congressional contest,
judging from present indications. So far
Hon. II. Henry Powers has given no init
nation of his intention to decline a renom-
nation and reelection for Congressman,
and II he seeks a denomination he will
have a )nrge following. The indications
are that t'irre will be a number of other
strong candidates in the field, among those
mentioned as possible contestants for a
seat in Congress from the West Side" be-
ing ex-Gov. Carroll s. Page OF Hyde Park,
Hon. James x. Batchelder OF Arlington.
who was an unsuccessful candidate q ainst
Congressman Powers when the latter sue
ceeded Hon. John w. Stewart OF Middle
bury, Hon. David ]. Foster and Hon.
Hamilton 8. Peck Of Burlington. and Hon.
Frank .. White Of Rutland. With all Or
nearly all of these men in the field it Is
safe to say that the contest will he a
spirited affair.
1t would be strange indeed II any candi.