The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1900-07-04
ORANGE COUNTY.
A Voice from the Recent Convention.
Side Lights ON the Proceedings.
An Appeal to the Good Citi-
zenship.

| Editor of the Watchmdn.- will you kindly
| allow space to "voice from Orange
county" in regard to the Orange county
convention and the effect it will have upon
the choice of United States Senator when
the situation Is thoroughly understood2
Orange county Is . small part OF the State,
but the honor and distinction she has won
and enjoyed as the home OF our immortal
Morrill,, entities one Of her sons (athough
not an editor or politician) to express his
opinion in regard to the spirit that moved
the delegates in Republican convention as.
sembled at Chelsea, June 80, where the one
vital question to be acted upon was the
choice of two Senators to represent the
county on the all important question of
choosing Mr.. Morril's successor.
Permit me to say that Orange county is
for Dillingham; for United States Senator,
the resolutions OF the county convention to
the contrary Notwithstanding. Why were
resolutions favorable TO General Grout
passed? William b. Wall OF Randolph was
a candidate for Senator from the west side
OF the county. Although possibly not pledz-
ed it was understood, on good authority,
that he was Dillingham; man. A vigorous
canvass was made for him on this ground,
which resulted in the choice OF eighteen
delegates (nine OF whom were from his own
town. out Of the forty-two delegates in the
Randolph district. After the delegates OF
the east side were chosen, it was found a
majority OF them favored Grout for Senator,
due largely to the fact that but little effort
was made to have Dillingham; men out at
the primaries.
Judge Dickey OF Washington, a man OF
recognized ability and unqualified republi-
canism, had secured large majority of the
delegates of the west side, and was known
to be Dillingham; man. What was Mr..
Wall to do? He realized that il he stood on
the same platform with Judge Dickey the
Republicans, il left to follow the dictates of
their heart1, would vote for the Republican
out OF principle in preference to the Repub-
lican out Of policy. His sagacious brain
quickly conceived a new idea. He fully
understood the contracts with his eighteen
west side delegates and knew they would
follow him whether he led them on to vic
tory for Dillingham; or otherwise. He made
personal visit to the east side delegates and
soon after it was openly talked by the Grout
delegates that Mr.. Wallis election to the
Senate must be secured, as he had threaten
ed, II turned down." he would be the next
member Of the General Assembly from
Randolph and would "cut CIRCUITS throat in
the House," 1t certainly looks as though
his nomination was secured through fear of
what he might do If his path was crossed.
For IL the friends OF Grout had faith in his
professed loyalty wouldn't they have sent
Judge Dickey to the Senate muzzled by a
resolution iustructing him how to vot0, and
left this man OF boasted strength and intlu-
ence, who is posing before the voters OF
Orange county es political Hercules, be-
fore whom the multitudes must sway, free
to accept an election to the House Of Repre-
sentatives where General Grout will need
men OF influence? II he was looked upon
as such formidable foe how welcome he
must have been as friend.
Ii there was no money IN ii, would you,
Mr.. Editor, feel like taking a man to your
bosom who threatened to "cut your throat
II you did not? Wouldn't you fear
change OF heart after he was "buttoned i'm?
Will the following interesting episode
throw any light on the question OF why
Wall wes nominated and why Grout resolu-
tions were passed at the Orange county
convention? After Mr.. Wall was placed in
nomination, q delegate who Is we'll known
as gentleman Of truth and honor, walked
out before the convention where he could
look the Wall forces squarely in the face
and frankly made the statement in Ian
guage that all could understand, that after
he was chosen delegate he was approach
edfby prominent Democrat and offered
money il he would vote for William b.
Wall. OF course a denial we3 awaited in
breathless silence, but none came. Assent
to the truth OF the statement, and the sup
position that the messenger was sent from
the Wall headquarters was given by the
circumstance that Wall and his spokesman
remained motionless and dumb.
Yves the like ever witnessed before in
open convention? Will rC solutions passed
under such circumstances add strength to
a candidate for the highest Office within the
gift of the people of the State? Had it not
been for the Grout and Wall deal, which
allied Wallis Dillingham; men with the
Grout faction, the resolution endorsing
Grout could not have passed. Surely, the
circumstances attending the Grout and
Wall canvass are revolving in the extreme.
II this Is the line OF work necessary to
promote the interests Of Gen. Grout, the
people, outside OF the politicians and those
Vermont has always held high place in
the national Senate, and the venerable
Judge Ross, Mr.. Morrill's successor by ap-
pointment in these closing scenes Of the
nineteenth century is rejecting credit upon
himself and honor upon the State.
The person chosen by the freemen OF
Vermont as Mr.. MorrilPs successor will en-
ter upon the duties OF his office at the dawn
OF new century. Let the choice be one
that shall not in any way detract from the
high standard the State has always en-
joyed.
Vermont has son in every way qualified.
one OF whom words Of commentator by
the writer would seem out Of place. Let
the freemen OF Vermont, upon whom rests
the responsibility of making the choice,
step out intothe pure atmosphere, free
from the tainted breath OF politicians, and
ask the question, Whom shall we send to
the national Senate,
"That our honors may with increase of ages grow,
As streams roll down enlarging while they tow,"
And the answer will come from the ele.
ments, and echo and re echo from hill top
to hill top, William p. Dillingham;!
A VOICE FROM ORANGE COUNTY.
AVN mHE EADnJEDS