Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1900-03-22
From The 1T. Johnsbury Republican,

jury, as well as u master of legal STRAIT
egy. That he was opposed in the lat
ter case by so able an advocate a
ex-Goy. Dillingham;, assisted b.
| Speaker w. A. Lord, makes his recorl
even more creditabIe.n
Since that time there must be addet
to Mr. Plumley's laurels in this direc
ton the aeqHittal of Mildred Brewster
charged with murder, for while ably
assisted by eN-Speaker Lord at the
opening OF the trial, owing to his ill.,
ness the whole burden of the closing
week fell upon Mr.. Plunley. This, in
connection with recent civil cases OF
large magnitude and successful issue,
places him undoubtedly among the
first OF his profession i'm Vermont. For
five years he was district attorney,
which compelled him to becomea close
student of United States law, relating
to finance, tariff, revenue and the
postal service, thus obtaining familiar
lty with the statutes, that qualities him
to take up the work OF national legis-
lation to degree unusual for a new
member His thirty years of profess
sional work and study, combined with
his natural ability rs Il public speaker.
has given him capacity to convince
others by sound logic. wit and sense.
Politically, Mr.. Plpmley has always
been a loyal and trusted Republican.
lie has given freely of his time and
ability in the cause Of the party and
has done much hard campaign work.
both for his own state and under the
auspices Of the Republican National
committee. He first entered upon the
platform rs a political speaker in 1876.
At that time he began a close and care
inl study of all national questions, and
from that time to the present has kept
IN close touch with the political issues
before the country. Thus he is we'll
prepared 10 enter at once upon the
duties pertaining to national legisla-
ton,
In the memorable presidential cam
paign OF 1891 there came despairing
cry to the Republican National com
mittee tor help to save the state of
Michigan to the Republican party. At
the suggestion OF Col. George W.
Hooker, the Vermont member of the
committee, Mr.. Plumley was sent to
Michigan as a speaker. He was
stranger in the West, and the first
night he spoke in a blacksmiths shop
in "A small town. Within three weeks
he was speaking in the largest cities
with James G. Blaine. Later. he was
selected by the state committee to ac-
company the famous Blaine-F Fremont
party on its tour through Michigan.
The discussion Of political questions
before courteous and usually sympa-
thetic audience i'm New England, and
talking to a western crowd. where the
speaker must be ready to answer at AMI
times the hot shot questions Of trained |
are two distinct proposi- |
tions. Mr.. Plumley, however, proved |
equal TO all emergencies and won a |
hlgh reputation as political orator. |
lie was recalled to Michigan and did |
splendid service in 1888, 80. '92. 'qg |
always being placed in the LARGEST
towns IN the hottest of the fight. In
the latter year he was sent to New
Jersey by the National committee. but !
was soon transferred to Michigan nj
the earnest solicitation of its state
where he filed out the
dates Of ex-U. 5. Senator Patten. vbo
was obliged to remain at home because
OF illness. In these campaigns he
came in contact with, and in MANY
eases gained close acquaintance
with leading politicians and statesmen
The reputation and influential POLITICAL
aequalntances thus formed. wouId
prove OF no small value 10 a Vermont
representative in his first term in Con-
gresS.
In 1852, MIR. Plumley was member
q tue Vermont legislature and at the
close OF the session was rated bv tha
press as one OF the four leaders Of tbe
House. AT this session he champjoned
the communication Of the death sentence