Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-04-03
THE GOVERNORSHIP.
The Northfield News Gives Strong
Reasons Why Gen. Mccullough
Should Be Nominated.
(From the Mortified News.)

Inc NOTUDnelu NoWb GlVeB strong
Reasons Why Gen. Mccullough
Should Be Nominated.
(From the Mortified News.)
1t Is of no particular importanc,
for the people to know why ex-
Gov Ed. Smith is now working
with all the energy he possesses
to beat Gen. Mccullough, the man who
withdrew from the gubernatoral contest
four years ago and thus assured a walk
ever for Mr.. Smith. 1t Is important, how
ever, that the republican voters rcbuke
MIR. Smith and other political manipuiators
this year by electihg Gen. Mccullough to
the governorship, Notwithstanding that the
defeat may also involve not few sincere
supporters of Fletcher Proctor. who are
being used to further the ends of polti-
clans who met in New York city, withdrew
DR.. Webb because they became satisfied
he could not win over Gen. Mccullough,
and fixed up ticket of their own In
doing this the combine prevailed upon
Fletcher Proctor to become a candidate
against his repeatedly avowed purpose to
wait four years. when he could undoubt-
edly have been chosen without a contest.
The matter SINNERS itself down to the
question Of whether the voters will endorse
this combine or choose a man who stood
party harmony and one whose ability and
Vermont environments assures to the
State one OF the strongest governors IL
has ever had The News Is pleased to
note that thus far the indications strongly
favor Gen. Mccullough, who, by the way,
comes from a county which has been scan
tily used in the distribution OF political
offices. The best interests of Vermont,
to say nothing of political justice, demand
the nomination and election of Gen Nc
Cullough this year.
FIVE POINTS AGAINST PROCTOR.
(Fron the Randolph Herald)
From somewhat extended reading of
those Vermont newspapers that have es-
rotscd the cause of General Mccullough
ard assailed the candidacy of Fletcher ID.
Proctor for governor. we have been able
to CLEAN five objections only to the latter.
Briefly summarized, these are:
Mr.. Proctor had said he wouldn't be a
o,ndidate.
Nj. Fioctor's candidacy was cooked
Up
Mr.. Proctor is proitins by DR.. Webb's
" withdrawal
Mr.. Proctor is a young man and can
wait
Mr.. Prcctor's name is Proctor.
Let us consider these five objections, as
briefly as possible.
1t is perfectly true that Fletcher D
Proctor did say some months since that
he did not expect to be a candidate for
the governorshjp this year. We do not
understand that he said mere than thai;
He certainly gave no pledge that under
no circumstances would he enter the field.
It was not his desire to force himself upon
the party as a candidate At the time
that he decided not to announce himself
as Sn aspirant for the office this year 1a
was convinced that he acted wisely. SO
far as he could then Sudge, the people
we're measurably we'll satisfied to choose
from between the ether two men, then Il
lorg time in the field.
Accordingly he told inquirers that II an-
Feared best that he should not become a
candidate in the sense of announcing his
own candidacy. lie has never said that he
would not accept the nomination if tend =
cred. And as to the charge Of mind on
his part that led to his Glowing his candi-
dacy to be now announced, it came about
simply and solely as the result of very
changed conditions that he could not well
disregard For weeks past he has been
in receipt of letters and personal solicita-
lions from all parts of the State. urging It
upon him as n duty to stand. These came
from strangers, as we'll as friends. Many
leading workers for 10th Webb and Nc
Cullough besought him to come in. The
asido from 4 comparatively few Interested
ones. the Toters refused to enthuse for
either Of the candidates. and almost In
Nariably expressed a desire 10 vote for
''some real Varmonter." To have turned
Gcaf ear to these entieaties. So general
and sincere. Mr. Proctor finally concluded
would be unworthy conduct, and might
Torteaged the political fIt're. in prefer
CEre To doing his hidden duty now SO
no has allowed his candidacy to he aN-
Ecunccl by his friends, without conscious
rcss of having broken any specific plodscs
that anyone had a right to exact FROM him
Now was Mr.. Proctor's candidacy "cook
ed up" Some would try to make it ap-
rear that this talk of demand for a
re al Nermortcr" is gammCn, gotten up
by few vociftrOuS partisars and news
papers to afford Mr.. Proctor a pretevt to
enter the field and that II was all deep
dark plot. Nothing except the primaries
Will dis lose how strong end sincere this
demand was and Is. That 1t exists. no one
who has eyes to see and ears to hear can
qu' sticr. Naturally it is stronger among
the rank and file than among
the active politicians. who were pledged
che way or the other long age. Eut 1t
is votes that count. and enc mans counts
AS much as another's. From all that
comes within cur personal knowledge and
'A'Ni itlol INC JOpuldI GtIlltllu VT
Fletcher d. Pre- ctor was sufficient e. Jus
tlfy his entrance as n candidate, and the
caucus results will fully demonstrates this
in spite of the admirable riachine that his
opponent has in motion. as well as that
opponents lorg priority in the field.
Undoubtedly Mr.. Proctor will derive
some strength from DIR. Webh's with
draw al. That there was any deal between
these two IS beyond belief. The most sur
rrisod among Webb's adl,erents Were the
active workers for him, who would have
surely received the tip with adv'ces what
to dc If any trade were made Nothing OF
this kind has transpirod in any quarter,
DR. Webb's supporters are left free to go
to any candidate. 1t Is admitted that some
have gone TO Mccullough, while many are
Yet at sea As to the reasons that prompt
ed Webb to withdraw. it is fair to ac-
topt those given, viz, that his increased
business interests would not allow him to
enter into such contest as would have
Teen necessary to win. and he became
convinced that the desire of Vermontcrs
was strcn ne for some one more closely lden-
tilted with the State than he.
Mr.. Proctor Is young. and he can wait
But he Is not 200 young to make a good
governor, and there is no reason why he
should walt, II The peopl, want him, until
his older rival is acc ,mnodated, General
MCI 'nl1Ongh has M titIe n tho Dffira Nv