Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-04-17
THE GOVERNORSHIP.
The Outlook in Northeastern Vermont
-McCullough's Strength Increasing
Significant Letters.
(From the Lyndonville Journai)


(From the IIyndonvile Journai)
Such an apparent effort has been made
In some quarters to stampede Inc voters
to the support of Fletcher ID. Proctor py
endeavoring to create the impres SION tnat
the former supporters OF Dr. Wepp were
going ever in n solid column to Proctor
and that the ranks of the followers OF
Gen. Mccullough were being rapidly de-
pleted that we have taken pains TO 1nVes-
tigate for Our readers and learn the true
situation.
From tn, many letters that we have re-
ceived from various sections of the state,
It appears that now that the voters nave
had an opportunity to consider tne hgntS
and shades bearing upon the matter, tne
way in which Proctor allowed himself 10 pc
draggcd into the field after he had made
rereated assertions that he would not be
a candidate IS being resented more and
mere as time goes on Gov. Pages friends
cannot help thinking of the last congress
SIGNAL fight in tho first district. Gen.
CIRCUITS friends have some recollection oil
Pfoctor's attitude in the senatorial fight,
and now the question arises Is not this
another Proctor move to effect some ui-
terror motive?
Within the Fast week Fletcher D. Proc
tor has been credited with making tho
statement that solid dele ations f:Cm Cal
edop la, Orleans and Essex couIties have
been assured him. We do net know who
gave him any such assurance but one
thing is certain, whoever he was he cam
not deliver the goods. Nermonters are
game but they want fair play with no
hitting below the belt
One of Proctor's warmcst friends in Or
leans county. replying to letter in which
Proctor asked his support wrote that ne
was for Gen. Mccullough and would stand
or fall with him. Hon. Amory Davidson
of Craftsbury who was Er. Webb's right
a., nv1a ic 1nf, oil
he can to secure the nomination of Gen.
Mccullough Harlwick which was the
Webb stronghold in Caledonia county, is
now equally strong for Mccullough.
Men of strong individuality, who care
more for their horror than n political job
will not stultify themselves by repuoiating
former pledges nor will they bow to the
command of anyone simply to serve a po-
litical purpose
From the few letters given below, our
readers, observing the class of men and
their opinions, will readily see that PROF.
tor, If he forces the issue, has before him
hard and bitter fight.
Hon. James w. Brock, president of the
Montpelier Savings Bank & Trust COM
pany, writes: IT can only say in reply that
cannot see any change except fer the
Improvement OF Gen. McCuloughs cause
since tina Webb withdrawal from the race
Hon. c. P. Smith, president of the Bur-
lington Savings Bank, the largest savings
institution in the State, who is a man
in close touch with the political situation
in Chittenden county, says:
Burlington. VT, April 4. 1902
Gear Sir-My personal preferences fo-
governor are Gen. Mccullough. I believe
him to be so highly qualified for the posi-
ton tina. he would he n great honor t.
the State as governor. I have warm per-
sonal regard foI Fletcher Proctor and am
exceedingly sorry to have him come int
the canvass at a time when cannot sup
port him. feel that in doing so he viii
make very great mistake: as, If he
should succeed in being nominated. which
seems to me now impossible it would leave
bitter feeling and would be disappont
ment to many of his Lest friends.
There seems to be no demand for his
candidacy, and there seems to- he no ques
ton but that If he lives four years frolr
now he would be the natural candidate
without controversy. I have hoped nj
along that he would see his way clear tc
decline to be candidate and so settle
what is liable to be a very unpleasant con.
troversy.
As to the sc ntment in this locality, 1t j!
certainly overwhelmingly with McCul
Tough. very large number OF Mr.. Proc
tors best friends here feel that 1t is no
right for him to come into the canvass
ard cannot consistently support him, an(
Will not do 50.
- T. oMl II.
Col. Henry w. Hall, who in the past ha
heen strong supporter of Gen. Grout
writes:
Burlington. VT, April 4, 1902.
The statements that are being made il
your locality relating to leading men il
this locality who were sailing under tn
Mccullough flag, are leaving 1t an;
now going over to Proctor are false ant
misleading. To my knowledge person
ally, do not know of but only a few fed
eral office holders ana few would be
office holders who are locking for q posi-
ton that are going over to Proctor, ant
in my travels throughout the State, ca
readily assure you that rs FER cent Of tn
Webb adherents are perfectly disgustc
with the whole deal and have come owe
boots and saddle to the MCCULLOUGH camp
This is true. Our city and in fact, Chit
tenden county are practically gold 70
Mccullough and he is gaining strength il
all directions. which is only too wei
known by the Proctor faction, who thin
they are going to stem the tide bit |
don't stem. II. w. HALL.
Hon. Frank Plumley of Mortified de
plores the untimely entrance OF Mr.. Proc
tor into the field ard states his positio
thus:
Ncrthheld, VT, April 8, 1902.
have a very high regard for Fletche
d. Proctor and equally sc for his fathe
the senior senator of Vermont in the I'm
ted States Senate and l waited until
vas assured by Mr.. Proctors friends VIII
claim the right to speak definitely in hi
behalf that he was not and would not b
a candidate for governor before took pr
sition with regard to the two candidate
then before the public. and this definit
selection was not made until long tin
after the campaign had begun. ] the
gave Gen. Mccullough assurances Of m
hearty support, knowing him to be a ger
tle,nan of genuine excellence and fir.
class man in every particular. He can
into tho campaign in an open, manly wa
and having taken my pOsition deliberatel
and on what l understood to be soil
ground for action. i no reason
change my alignment and shall cnntnt
to be as 1 have been for few month
past. hearty supporter of the candida
OF Gen. Mccullough for the guternatori
nomination. TO my personal knowledG
Gen. Mccullough has personally identiht
himself with the interests OF his town ar
county for long time. is the husband
granddaughter OF enc of our distil
guished governors, she, always We
monter, proud of her native State; the
children nave been reared to love We
mont were educated, as am informed
our public schcols, and are very much
love with their native State.
He is not attachment IN the State