St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1901-10-16
Vermont's Political Contest.
As Viewed by the Montpelier Cores
P0ndent of the spring field Republican.


one old political leud, and the election Of
Senator Dillingham; which was expected
to put at rest for years the question of
Senator Morrill's successor, would leave
Vermont politics in a more quiet condi-
ton, it is becoming evident that next
year will witness a political battle as
sharp and as closely fought as that Of
1896 or the senatorial fight of 1900.
| First in interest is the governorship.
When Stickney was defeated by Grout in
the 1896 convention it was understood
among the party managers that Stick
ney should have the nomination in 1900.
The bargain was carried out and Stick
| ney was duly nominated and elected.
When Gen. J. G. Mccullough OF Benning-
ton withdrew from the contest OF 1898
because b. {. Smith wanted the nomlna
ton, for the turtherance, as was then I'M
derstood, of some railroad matters,
there was similar understanding that
he should have the nomination in. 1902.
when the west side of the state was
again entitled to it. There was no bar
gam, merely an understanding, "a gen,
tIeman agreement, but on the strength
OF that Gen. Mccullough has been rec.
ognzed as the machine candidate, and
tor year or more has been unusually
prominent at public gatherings. Gen.
McCullough's business interests lie out
side the state, and there was opposition
to his nomination on that score when he
was expected to contest the nomination
with Smith in 1898. This was no spec.
ial objection when he was the recognized
machine candidate, but the situation
was hrst complicated by the appearance
OF DR.. W. Seward Webb of Shelburne,
who has let it be known that he is more
than willing to be nominated. Both
men are counted as New Workers rather
than Vermonters, though both have a
residence in the state. Both are wealthy
and both are capable Of making a lively
campaign in which enough money might
be spent to bewilder the imaginations OF
the ordinary party workers. Money is
plentiful in Vermont politics when it is
needed, but not in such amounts as Webb
or Mccullough might put it in crcula.
ton to CRAFTY long cherished ambition.
Now it must be understood that DR..
Webb, who is interested in railroads, is
closely connected in business way with
T. w. Clement of Rutland. Clement is
owner Of the Rutland Herald, promi.
nent man in the affairs Of the Rutland
railroad and in the Rutland Canadian
as well, born fighter without the d.
plomacy of successful politician. There
was a belief toward the close of the legis-
lat1ve session last year that Clement
would seek the nomination in 1902, and
some apprehension was aroused among
the faithful adherents OF the machine
with theresult that McCulloughs claims
on them were more firmly fixed. 1t is
now believed that Webb represents the
Clement interests, and that Clement and
his forces are behind the Webb candidacy.
mus another element is thrown in the
scale to balance the generosity urbanitv
and generally pleasant personal charac-
teristlcs OF the Adirondack magnate.
who married into the Vanderbilt family
and maintains residence in Vermont.
There was perplexity and trouble
enough in prospect with Webb and Nc.
Cullough in the field, but the matter has
suddenly become further mixed up by the
appearance OF Fletcher D. Proctor.
Proctor is native Vermonter, a son OF
the senator, but something more than
the son of his father. He is Young. a
sound business man, enjoys a wide ac-
quaintance. has few enemies, is a favor
lite among the younger element of
the party and was speaker of the
house last year. He is no friend of Glenn
ent. and 1t is supposed that the growing
Webb strength has brought him into the
held. Here most perplexing situa-
ton conIronts the ordinary republican.
Between Webb and Mccullough he might
feel tree to choose as suited himself.
With Proctor in the field it is different.
tor the Proctor influence is the strongest
thing in Vermont politics today. The
senator seldom exercises that influence
openly. He is too shrewd to invite
trouble in the future by allying himself
with either party in factional struggle.
But with his own son in the field every
politician will know where the senator's
interest lies. He has more to say about
patronage than any other man in the
Vermont delegation. He is willing to
reward the faithful, and those who look
for preterment desire his favor. Whether
his son is looked upon as compromise
candidate or in some other light. he is
the Proctor candidate. Here then is the
situation: Mccullough is the machine
candidate, Webb represents the semi.
independent element, but has considera-
BILE following among all classes, Proctor
comes IN at late date with no known
Endorsement or support, except that of
the name.
The governor question offers opportu.
mites enough to keep the most active
politician busy, but it may be small
matter in comparison with the senate.
rial fight, repetition of that of last
year Since the election of w. P. billing.
ham as Morrill's successor last year there
has been a distinct falling off of Diling-
ham feeling. The new senator has had
no opportunity to do anything more
than to get acquainted with his quar-
tiers in Washington, but it is already
whispered here and there that he
has done nothing and that he NAV
be an overrated man. This is unfair, of
course, but it is the fact. Nothing has
been heard from the friends of Gen.
Grout, but it is known to those on the
inside that quiet work is being done in
his interests, and that there is every
that the Congressman