Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-06-12

favorable position as a candidate about
whom the supporters Of both Mr. Clement
and Mr.. Proctor can rally. To secure the
nomination General Mccullough must
gain l5 votes in addition to those he has
already secured but this Is q small num-
Der as compared with the 14S that Mr..
Clement must secure, and particularly with
200 which MIR. Proctor lacks Of the 1856 nec-
essary to assure him the nomination.
General McCulloueh's advantage will be
more evident II we consider the strength
OF his rivals in connection with the proba-
bility Of break in the convention. If such
thing were possible as combination be-
tween Mr.. Clement and Mr.. Proctor and
they were able to deliver their delegates III
body. their combined strength now held
would be 3s4, or only 10 more votes than
will be necessary for choice. In view
of the issue upon which the vast majority
of Mr. Clements delegates have been elect.
ed, 1t is not conceivable that he could de-
liver them in body or in any considerable
number to Mr.. Proctor, nor is 1t possible
that Mr.. Proctor can deliver a sufficient
number of his delegates to Mr.. Clement to
ensure the latter's nomination.
But leaving out Of the problem the Is
sues that have been discussed, there are
geographical and political considerations
which will initiate against a combination
the sincere supporters Of Mr. Clement.
They are both aspirants for the governor
ship, and II either one secures the prize
this year, the other must bid farewell 10
that ambition for many years to come. If
Mr. Clement were to be elected governor
next September, other counties would not
permit the prize to return to Rutland coun-
ty again four years from now or eight
years hence Mr.. Proctor will not be likely
to allow Mr.. Clement to secure the nomna-
ton, therefore. II he can prevent It. For
the same reason Mr. Clement is not likely
to do anything to promote the nomination
OF Mr.. Proctor for the governorship.
The nomination of General Mccullough
on the other hand. will mean the erection
OF no political barrier across the path of
any other man. He is not credited with ar
ambition to go to the United States Senate
as is Mr.. Clement. He Is standing in the
way of no other man in his county. and
there is no political reason why he should
not be honored with the nomination for the
governorship.
Moreover, If any attempt is made by Mr.
Clement and Mr.. Proctor to combine in ac-
cordance with the terms of any under
standing between themselves or upon a
now man there a ra mon ap,opo THAR dole.
gates who will inevitably go to General
Mccullough; and in view OF the small
number he will lack the chances are very
great that he will win. There are men in
the Clement ranks who will do almost any,
thing rather than let the nomination go Ia
Mr.. Proctor. and vice versa. and even II
they do not 60 to General Mccullough on
the first ballot. in view of the practical Ger.
tainty OF his nomination. they are not likely
to wait long enough to give the other side
chance to claim credit for making his
nomination sure. There is every reason
therefore. for expecting General McCul-
Tough to win and under all the circum.
stances we shall not be surprised to sec
him go into the convention one week from
next Thursday with sufficient number OF
delegates to assure his nomination on the
first ballot.