Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1902-03-31
COUNTY POLITICS.
To the Editor of the Monitor:

Time points to an even number. This
means another election in Vermont.
ALREADY the state political pot is boil
ing vigorously. The simmerings and
bubblings of the several county pots
give evidence of more or less warmth.
Orleans County is no exception to
the rule. Candidates are under con-
sideration for the various offices. 1t
is conceded generally that the north
side senatorship should go to the
Missisquoi Valley this year. The
"Valley" includes the towns of Lowell,
Westfield, Jay and Troy. Lowell,
however, ranks as south side town,
and is altogether out of the race in
the present instance, having had the
south side senatorship in 1896. Jay
brings forward no candidate so far as
from Westfield is Mr.. Christopher w.
Bryant, an active business man sixty
seven years of age. The Troy candi-
date is Mr.. j. r. B. Hunt, retired
business man sixty six years of age.
In case that these two men are
equally fitted for the Office which they
seek, the advantage seems to be with
the candidate from Westfield by rea-
son both of circumstances and loca-
tion. In the memorable fall of 1860
when Abraham Lincoln was elected
N the first time to the presidency Of the
United States, the town of Westfield
sent a republican representative to
the General Assembly in the person
of the late Aaron @. Hitchcock. Since
that time only republican representa-
tives have been elected. This can be
said of no other town in the valley.
Troy in particular has elected a dem
ocratic representative several times.
Year after year also, Westfield has
rolled up large republican majorities
on the state, district, and county
4 ticket. The town claims, and very
\ properly, that now her years of fidel-
\ ity to republican interests should be
recognized by according to her
. the senatorship. Again: Since 1860,
each of the other towns in the valley
have been given the senatorship one
or more more times while Westfield
has beenpassed by. Westfield claims,
and Justly, that now it is her turn to
be honored with the senatorship by
virtue of her location.
Aside from any advantages afforded
by circumstances or location, the can
didate for any public office should also
be considered as a person. Mr.. Bry-
ant, the candidate from We5tfield, is
known to many of the leading men of
II the county. The favor with which
NJ these gentlemen have received Mr..
N Bryant's candidacy, and the assur-
N ances of support which they have
given him must be gratifying both to
him and his friends. Mr. Bryant
came to Westheld thirty-f five years
ago having purchased the farm upon
which he has resided since. Pos
sessed of strong physical powers, a
clear active mind, industrious and
temperate habits, he was we'll calcu-
lated for the success which he has
achieved. For some years past he has
given the management of his fertile
acres over to his son, thus affording
himself more time to devote to other
business matters. He was a success
full farmer. He has been successful
in other directions. He is a wonder
fully efficient man along the lines in
which heEhas trained himself. Con-
servative yet energetic, with keen
perceptions, sound judgment, quick
firm decisions, he has exceptional
ability as financier. He is director
in the Barton Fair Association, di-
rector of the Barton Savings Bank,
and a director of the National Bank OF
HYDE Park. He is temperance man
in principle and in practice, not ever
indulging in the use of tobacco. He
is a supporter of the church by hi:
presence and his purse. His town has
honored him with various offices o.
trust, as selectman, lister, road com
missioner, agent, etc. In 1894 he wa
elected to the General Asse mol!
where he served his town faithfully
Westfeld republicans are an inde
pendent lot. Some might call then
scrappy Having the democrat
mostly exterminated and so having
no fear of them, the republicans fire
quently indulge in heated contests in
side their own ranks at the biennia
elections. When Mr.. Bryant wa
& elected representative however,
was by an overwhelming majority o
the first ballot. Comparatively fey