Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1900-07-20
Judr, Ross. Candidacy.

At the time of this writing the letter of
Senator Ross in regard to his candidacy
for the remaining two years of Senator
Morrilrs term, published in The Pbpnix
last week, has been reproduced in full by
the Burlington Free Press, the St. Albans
Messenger, the St. Johnsbury Caledonian
and Republican, and the Bellows Falls
Times. The Free Press makes kindly and
apprec!ative comment which is elsewhere
published. The Messens T makes no COM
ment, in accordance with its non-committal
attitude in this contest. The other papers
recognize the letter in brief editorial para
graphs.
The Montpelier Watchman devotes a col
umn editorial to the discussion Of the let
ter, but without copying the letter itself,
to show its readers what the Senator has
to say for himself and the spirit in which
he says 1t. The essential part of the
Watchman's editorial is reproduced in an
other column. The contention Of the
WatchmaD that the Senator's appointment
was made under exceptional circumstances,
and that the precedents in such cases do
not therefore necessarily apply, is a self
evident statement Of fact. At the time of
Mr.. Morrilfs death Gen. Grout and Mr.
Dillingham; were we'll known as candidates
for the senatorship to succeed him. AL
though put under strong pressure to do so,
Gov. Smith refused to choose between the
two, and named Judge Ross, who had
never been candidate, to i'll the place un-
til the legislature should meet and act.
Under these circumstances il is not incum-
bent on either the people or the legislature
to consider Senator Ross a candidate for
election in the usual sense.
1t is Senator Ross's own sction-the
grasp which he has shown of important
public affairs and the record which he has
made in the Senate-which has raised
the question whether he is not entitled
to another two years service, and
whether he could not serve the state
better than any other man during
those two years. Under these circum-
stances it is entirely in order for Judge
Ross's friends TO claim that he has a right
to fill out the whole Of Mr.. Morrilrs term
and that, with view to the best public
service, a change could be made as we'll or
better in two years than now.
With regard to the question OF man
being in "the prime of physical and men
tai manhood" raised or suggested by the
Watchman, it is to be said that, although
advanced in years, Senator Ross is remark.
ably we'll preserved. Physically few men
at fifty are his superiors. Mentally he is
stronger than ever before, for TO his acute
mind and his long years of training as
lawyer and judge have been added two
years of service in the Senate at one of the
critical times in the country's history
The Watchman's argument falls to the
ground in the face of the question square
ly put: Are there two men in the state
as we'll qualified to carry on the work o.
Vermont in the Senate during the remain
der of the present Congress as the two
men who served through the first session
or can it be contended that any man in the
state is better able to handle the "grea
questions" mentioned by the Watchmar
than Senator Ross? His own record is thu
answer. So much is in justice to be sait
in the Senator's behalf.