St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1900-04-04
rlr. Prouty's PronunciamentO.

of Orleans county. 1t is omewha'
remarkable document, and those
who take the trouble to read ii
through will be led to believe at least
three things-namely: That Mr.
Prouty wants to be senator, with a
desire that is intense; that he is not
open to the suspicion OF being bash
full in making his want known; and
that he is very deeply impressed with
his ability to furnish frst-class SEN
ator in the person of himself.
Mr.. Prouty begins his appeal by
saving that be has no cash at hand
wherewith to establish paper to
support his candidacy, and as all
three of the Orleans county newspa-
pers are opposed to him he prefers to
say over his own signature what he
has to say, rather than ito hire one
or more newspa pers to say it imper
sonally for me-"
There is very little that is imper-
sonal about this pronuncamento OF
Mr.. Prouty. In fact, it is very extern
siveIy personal, and aggressively so
the more's the pity. 1t is very
unusual thing-atleast in Vermont
for candidate for so high position
to let himself down to this sort of
thing.
He is perfectly satisfied in his own
mind that the voters of Orleans
coanty should support him rather
than Gen. Grout, because the latter
is not so completely resident of
that section as is he, Prouty; and
plaintively tries to work the non-res-
ident plea. He afirms his love for
that county and the state at large;
says he has in recent years refused
many flattering offers to leave both
the county and the state, because af-
ter forty years oflife in Vermont no
other place could ever be home to
him. He calls himself the "home
candidate" and wants the preference
on that ground.
Mr.. Prouty informs the public that
Gen. Grout was first elected to con-
gress because he wanted to be-"
The public knew that before. 1t also
knows that most congressional can
didates have that same sort of want
when they enter the race. Most
people will think that Mr.. Prouty
himself is actuated by some
such feeling, in the advocacy
of himself for the United States
senate. He acknowledges that
Gen. Grout has been a faith
full public servant, but does not
deem him entitled to any great
amount of credit for doing his duty.
And then he devotes dozen para
graphs to railing at the present
member from the Second district for
harboring any desire to step from the
house to the senate. He admits that
Gen. Grout is IAN industrious mem.
Der" of the lower branch; but
thinks he is not a great man, as he
evidently thinks himself to be.
Mr.. Prouty flippantly picks flaws
with Gen. CIRCUITS record in congress,
and yet says with refreshing inconsist-
ency, that "If the question were no W
whether Gen. Grout should be sent
back to the house for another term,
even though opposed to man OF
greater ability, it might be fairly
urged that in the interest of his dis
trict and his state he ought to be re-
turned, but he then says that ser
vice in the house does not pre-,
pare for service in the senate
OF that the people will have tt
judge.
Mr.. Prouty thinks that the con
} trolling reason in the selection of ;
!, United States senator should be tina
IT the interest of Vermont required it
and says Gen. Grout ought not to b
s chosen. He may be sure that tn
70 people of Vermont agree with him i
5. this first statement; but as to tn
1t rest he is arguing the case from tn
It standpoint of a candidate yer
5; strongly prejudiced in favor of him
= self, and his testimony cannot be az
d cepted as conclusive.
&c The last paragraph oiMr. Prouty'
E. pronunciamento is gem" and W
ne produce it entire:
:" Vermont cannot hope to send t
~ the United States senate any perso
IS. of the actual ability of George F. E,
n muuds or Justin S. Morrill,, in m
ok opinion, but it always has bee
ST. true, and it ought to be true toda
h.. | H. 4, ~ i