The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1900-07-18

The PhCBniC OF Bratleboro wrote
Hon. Jonathan Ross letter respect
ing his candidacy for the office of Sen
ator, and Mr.. Ross replied at some
length. The Phenir has taken some
unnecessary space and pains to devel-
op Mr.. Ross position in the senatorial
contest which is now agitating the
State. The Cdledonian and other pa
pers had made it quite clear that Mr..
Ross is an impassive candidate for the
remainder of the term for which Mr.,
Morrill, was chosen in 1896, and which
will end March 4, 1908. This was
publicly stated soon after Mr.. Ross
appointment to the Senate, and has
been one of the well understood incl
dents of the canvass. 1t has entered
into all the calculations respecting the
choice of Senator. 1t was the con-
spicuous feature in the election of del
egates to the Caledonia county conven-
ton, and particularly in the contest in
st. Johnsbury. The circumstances of
Senator Ross candidature were quite
as well understood as were those of
Mr.. Dillinghams or General CIRCUITS or
Mr.. Prouty's.
The claim has been made in behalf
OF Mr.. Ross, which he reviews, that
whenever citizen has been appointed
TO supply vacancy in the Senate occa-
stoned by death or resignation, the
Legislature has elected the Governors
appointee to fill out the unexpired
term. Whatever the precedents might
prove to be when each appointment is
examined in the light of contempt
raneous circumstances, the pending
case is 80 exceptional as to be practi-
cally without or outside OF precedent.
Mr.. Morrill, was retained in service
longer than any of his predecessors,
beyond the years of his capacity for &C.
tive labors, as recognition Of excep.
tionally important and valuable work
he had done in the prime and maturity
of his mental and physical powers.
1t was a well earned distinction,
gladly and graciously conferred by his
State. The necessity for finding and
appointing successor to Mr.. Morrill,
was not sudden emergency. 1t had
been pending for some years and was
matter that had long pervaded State
politics, though Difference to the living
had kept it out of public discussion.
Two distinct candidates. had develop
ed, those of Dillingham; and Grout, and
when Mr.. Morrill, died these had at
tanned such an advanced degree Of ma
turity that the popular preference really
hung between these two men. Siren
uous efforts were made to secure the
of the one or the other.
Governor Smith decided not to fore
stall the action of the people by the
of either. In this matter
be preferred not to constitute himself
an electoral college. He did not-and it
was not becoming or necessary that he
should-publicly and in express terms
say, 81 will appoint third person, and
the people themselves shall decide be-
tween Dillingham; and Grout," but that
was the we'll understood intent of the
executive action; and it was with equal
definiteness understood that the deci-
sion he reserved for the people would
come in the pending canvass and the
elections that will follow in September
and October. Judge Ross was appoint
ed as makeshift. This is the simple
fact of the matter, but no one is ques-
tioning the wisdom and propriety of
the Governors course in the dilemma
in which he was placed in January,
1890.
Under ordinary circumstances prec-
edent might be cited and observed
in the matter of Mr.. Morrill's unex-
pired term. But the circumstances, in
Vermont or in the United States SEN
ate, are not ordinary. The most use
full presidents Of the State in the mat
ter of appointment have not been fol-
lowed hitherto in this case. Governor
Paul Dillingham; appointed George F.
Edmunds to the vacancy made by the
death OF Senator Foote because he had
determined not to name makeshift,
as he was urged to do. The canvass
for the senstorship has been going on
in the State for years. The election
has clearly been between Dillingham;
and Grout. 1t is desirable that the
choice be made now, and not continue
for two years longer the subject of agita
ton. 1t is not useful or desirable for Yer
mont to make another shift in the Sen
ate Of the United States In 1908. 1t ii
in the highest degree important thai
the man who shall be chosen Senator
by the next Legislature shall be giveI