Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1900-04-05
MIR. Prouty's rlanifesto.

The Hon. c. A. Prouty, candidate
for senatorial honors in Vermont
pitched a good-sized bomb-shell into
the camp of his political opponents last
week by issuing a manifesto over his
own signature, directed to the voters
of Orleans county, vigorously com
batting the claims of the Hon. William
W. Grout for support in that county
and setting forth his own qualifications
in no uncertain tone. Opinion seems
to be divided as to the effect Of the eX-
plosion. Some consider that it will
wreck Gen. CIRCUITS chances beyond
hope of redemption, while others opine
that the lively Prouty will be hoist
by his own petard.
One thing is agreed. 1t was a de-
cided novelty in Vermont politics.
Candidates in this state have hereto
fore reached the reading public
through the medium Of the news
papers. The editors have been
sounded" early and if found respOn-
sive have been expected to fire the
heavy artillery OF the canvass. Mr..
Prouty quite likely would have fol
lowed the time-honored course, but for
an unfortunate condition that con
fronted him. He had no newspaper
support-in his own county, at least.
However, he makes the best of his cir
and relying on a job
printing outfit, has turned out a very
hot little piece of literature.
He explains at the outset that he is
obliged to take this course because
Gen. 'Grout secured all the Orleans |
county newspapers. He says that one |
IF these editors holds a government /
ob by CIRCUITS appointment one paper
5 published in the town which Grout
'laims as "A residence; and that the
paper, formerly owned by
trout. did not pass to its new owner
Until its position was assured. Mr..
'routy counts editorial support as
worth simply the personal support OF
he editor. He says he prefers to say
Yer his own signature what he wishes
D than to hire the newspapers to say
for him. This is an unkind cut at {
ne newspapers, but the profession is
5 used to being accused OF yenality as !
lawyer is of lying-and neither takes t
seriously {
Mr.. Prouty's pamphlet asks and at i
mpts to answer the question as to i
hich candidate-Grout or himself
lie voters of Orleans county should b
Ipport for the senatorship. 1t makes {
, reference whatever to the other &
IndidateS. 1t is Prouty VS.. Grout, il
it'll Prouty per Sc. Mr.. Prouty claims
AT Gen. Grout is only nominally. at h
ost, a resident of Orleans county; 0
at he spends only half a day a week Il
Barton when he is in Vermont; and II
at it is well known that his actual a
ace of residence is in Caledonia o
unity, which he tries also to use as lC
: home county. Mr.. Prouty claims,
in reason, that Grout should not
oft by calling two counties his e
me. lie says he (Prouty) was born t.
"a has always lived in Orleans county al
d clearly considers that he has bet "
r hold on that county by reason of
sidenee than Grout.
Gen. Grout was first elected to Con-
ess because he wanted to be. He
5 been sent there ever since for the
me reason" Thus does Prouty bear
.wn upon his neighbor. Some Con-
essmen do not find themselves at the
d of a long term Of service rich b,
'out does. Undoubtedly, he has been
faithful servant, but no more faithful
an he ought to be and no more faith m
than others might have been. lie
5 been eighteen years in the House.
this fact sufficient alone to return Ii
m for more
Prouty says that the first vote he ever Il
st was for Grout, and he has voted re
r him every year since. lie has been
well treated. Does the o
ace belong to him? If so, what 81