Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1902-05-02
That Xaldorf.Astoria Conference.

EultOr VI tHt heloIlilci
1t has been claimed that way back in
February, just before DIR. Webb start
ed from New York on his trip West
there was little conference held in
New York by certain distinguished
gentlemen to settle the Governorshlp
of this state for 1902, and incidentally
to allot some of the other state officers
for the next few years. 1t has been in
timated that at this conference there
were present DR.. W. Seward Webb,
Ex-Gov. f. c. Smith, ExLieut. Gov.
Fisk, Fletcher ID. Proctor Il. r. Morse
and some believe that Senator Proctor
himself honored the conference by his
presence.
1t has been said that at this meeting
ii was tacitly understood, if not agreed,
that DR.. Webb should withdraw from
the contest and Fletcher ID. Proctor
enter the race, and some obtuse per-
sons have insisted that the personnel
of the gathering, the time and place
thereof, were, especially in the light
of subsequent events, suggestive of
political deal, and many of our sober,
sturdy, Independent voters have de
clared that they would not ratify it.
The foregoing reports have wonder
fully stirred up some newspapers and
other supporters of Mr. Proctor The
Phoenix has offered to bet big red
apple that there was nothing to it, and
Proctor himself'has declared
that he has not been at the Waldorf in
three years. There is nevertheless "A
deep-seated suspicion in the minds of
many that where there is so much
smoke there must be some fire. In or
der therefore that the plain people may
have full knowledge of all the circum-
stances | should like to PROFOUND the
following questions to Mr.. Proctor:
l. Is it not fact that DR., W. S.
Webb started from New York on his
trip to California the week beginning
February l6, 1902?
2. Were you in New York that week,
and if so did you there talk with either .
DIR. Webb, E. G. Smith, Nelson Fisk,
E. h. Morse, or your father, or any or
all of them:
3. Did you, E. C. Smith, and Mel
son Fisk, call upon or meet DR.. Webb
in New York that week and talk about
the politics of Vermont?
L. Did Dir. Webb meet a friend of
yours in New York that week and there
discuss the politics of Vermont espec-
tally the Governorship?
3. Before you went to New York on
that occasion had your candidacy been
6. Soon after your return from
his visit to New York did E. r.
Morse interview the editors of the
Phoenix, the Windsor Journal and the
Herald and News, or some ]
If them, and did not these papers at
,nce declare that there was call for
Nermonter for Governor and in their !
leXt issues advocate your nomination.:
l. Did you understand when you re-
urned from that visit to New York !
hat DR.. Webb would soon withdraw !
rom the contest for Governor:
S. Did you understand that the pre- 4
Use time when the announcement of !
)r. Webb's withdrawal should be made !
vas left for +. G.. Smith to decide? /
8. Before you took this trip TO New !.
'ork had you not told your friends in
ubstance that DR.. Webb ought not to {
re Governor of Vermont, or had you in !
mated that you could not or would not !
Import him for that office: j
10. Do you understand that DR.. ,
Webb is now advocating your nomina I
ion and has pledged himself to do all {
e can to secure that result: {
IL. Do you know why DIR, Webb is !
0 interested in your behalf that he
avs, to use his own language, II and s
~ friends in the Rutland railroad are /
rst and last for Mr.. Proctor and shall I
cave no stone unturned to help him +
aceive the nomination - T
II. Before the announcements of your G
lndidacy had you given the friends of ,
General Mccullough to understand /
lat you were favorable to his nomina |,
on: II
Inquirer. i
II ~