Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-02-27

Now that Gen. Grout has written letter
on the Joint subject Of the governorship
and the senatorship, which is published
In another column, certain facts
and conditions are brought prom
incntly before the public. People will nat
urally ask what were the causes leading
UP to the publication Of a. political explana-
ton of this character. Why should it have
appeared advisable to have the public
understand at this immediate time that
Gen. Grout is not candidate for tho sena-
OF such publication?
1t Is no secret that the marked and
growing popularity Of Senator Dillingham;
has figured prominently in connection with
the present preliminary canvass for the
governorship. No more convincing dcmon-
stration of his hold upon the popular affec-
ton could be conceived of than that it
should be considered desirable to prove the
gubernatorial election will in no way en-
danger his seat in the United States SEN
ate. DIR. Webb showed his recognition of
the burden which Gen. CIRCUITS shadow had
become to his candidacy when he stated
enphatically that he had entered into no
political deal with any man. While Cen
Grout nominally writes his letter in reply
to the questions of newspaper, which by
the way has espoused the cause of neither
ground for the belief that he also has come
to feel the desirabiity. IT, indeed he has
not received the actual intimation Of some
of Dr. Webb's more disinterested friends.
who have spoken freely on the subject else
where, that no take some step to dissipatc
the suspicion that Dr. Webbs election
might mean a strenuous attempt on his
part to supplant Senator Dillingham;.
Some people not informed might ask why,
If Senator Dillingham; is so strong, are SO
many of his friends apprehensive regard
ing the effect which the governorship cleo
ton may have upon the senatorshp? That
is fair question and it shall receive a
fair answer. We do not believe any man
will question the truth OF DR.. Webbs state
mcnt that he has entered into no deal with
any man. There are host of people who
believe on the other hand that Gen. Grout,
in putting the remnant of his senatorial
a manner strkingly in contrast with his
tardy efforts for his own brother in the
hot Grout- Stckney contest. has been get
ting in a position to set that machine at
work for himself if at any time favor
able opportunity should present itself.
They recall the fact that the we'll known
and even expressed desire of the people
III. mott tj.
county from being induced to betray the
trust reposcd in him by his constituents,
nor do they forget that a number of towns
which supposed they had elected represen-
tatives who would support Dillingham;
awoke when too late to find that they were
represented by Grout men. Under
these circumsta noes and in view Cf
the utteranoes of some of his
lcutenants some people may not
be entirely bameworthy for being sus-
pcous Of secret senatorial movemonc
and being unusually Jealous of their right
to say who shall represent them in the
| nted States Senate.
No one will suppose for an instant that
all Of the admirers of Senator Dillingham;
ere moved by apprehension that General
Circuit may have two objects in view in oil
irg up his political machine fer active use
in the gubernatorial campaign. On the
contrary some of the senator's strong sup
porters believe the great majority of our
IeoIle regard the senatorial contest as be-
tween Grout and Dillingham; settled, at
least until the latter has had one com
letc term in which to show the senatorial
stuff he has in him, and feel free
to support any gubernatorial candidate
they please. Others who may have had 10
particular choice as between General Nj
Culoush and DR.. Webb have unquestion-
ably been swayed by the considerations to
which we have referred Many others
who may have some preference but who
feel that the settlement Of the question
who shall represent Vermont in tho United
States Senate for the next six years is
more important than the selection of one
OF various good men to be governor for
the next two years, have found themselves
in the position of a certain town along the
line Of the Rutland road. concerning which
n prominent resident thereof lately said:
1--WE would naturally be for DR.. Webb, but
If Webb means Grout. then we are for
Mccullough"
Under these circumstances the disinter-
oSted friends of DR.. Webb will unquostion-
ally wish that Gen. Grout could have seen
his way clear tc simply say he would not
he candidate for the senat orship this
fan inasmuch as the situation is not likely
TO change materially during the short per-
iod that will bring us to another session
of the Legislature. Comment by press
and people shows that General CIRCUITS
statement has not cleared the situation.
Indeed his distinct warning that he does
not say he will not be a candidate coupled
with his declaration that he is not a can
dlGate at the present time, and his refer
ence to the "divne right of our junior SEN
ator to the seat he now occupies" seem to
have served to reutralize the effect Of the
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