Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-03-13
GEN. CIRCUITS LETTER AGAIN
A Leading Republican Thinks Suspicion
Unsuitable in View Of CIRCUITS IN
usual Activity.
To the Editor Of The Free Press:

General CIRCUITS reply to the interrog-
atories of the Randolph Herald and News
is no disappointment to anyone who has
been close observer of the alignment of
the political forces in the gubernatorial
campaign now on. General Grout should
not be sensitive if the republicans of the
State are in an induisitive frame of mind
relative to the extraordinary activity
which he Is displaying In furthering the
candidacy of DR.. Webb 1t would be un-
natural TO have it otherwise No one ques-
tions General CIRCUITS right to advocate the
candidacy of the man nc fafors, wlthin
the limits of consistent action, without
criticism, but when he pursues course
which is recognized as extraordinary ana
entirely abnormal he should expect 10
arouse public suspicion.
General Grout Is about "a years old. lie
has been the hero of many a hard fought
contest. After having filled many offices OF
responsibility in the state. he served
nearly continuously eighteen years In the
lower house of Congress, record that
has not been equaled by any OF his pre-
decessors since the admission OF the state
into the Union. Young men are very apt
to be enthusiastic and put a Bood de'i
Of vigor and energy into advocating the
claims and furthering the interests oil
flee, but ! insist that n man OF his age
and honors pursuing such course with
out any greater induccment than ms de-
sire to see DR.. Webb governor is ent rely
unusual and needs an absolute denial
without any "Ifs' in order to convince
people that he has not personal interest
in the outcome of the present contest.
General Grout has been active in further
ne the interest of DR.. Webb since early
last summer. lie has not only made sew
oral visits to Franklin county, but nearly
every county in the state In Orleans,
Essex and Caledonia he is reported to have
personally been in nearly all the towns.
Last fall he was reported in this county,
Rutland and Windsor. little later in
Washington, Orange and Lamoillc, in each
county holding conference with his leu
tenants of the senatorial fight of two
years ago Men who had announced thcm-
selves for General Mccullough changed to
Or. Webb after these visits. All this ire
r1endOus eXertion because he thinks DR..
Webh would make a letter governor than
General Mccullough. Consistency thou
Grt a jewel"
Now | would like to ask General Grout
If he can give any reasonable explanation
why he is so intensely in earnest in Or.
Wehbs cause, when. SO far az any III
formation that the republicans in this sec
ton arc possessed Of, he is not under the
slightest political obligation to DIR. Webb
DIR. Webb never contributed 20 any politl
cal advancement Of General Grout, he was
not for General Grout for senator, as he
publicly al nounced himself first in the
burlington Free Press for the Hon. WI
liam r. Dillingham;. hut afterwards pub
licly endorsed. through the same medium.
the Hon. Charles A. Prouty
General Grout says that no arrange
rent has beer made between Or. Webb
and himself. or course not. Does the
general think for a moment that the peo-
PIE consider that nc is in his political
dctage? Nothing more short sighted ould
have been imagined than that he ard DR.
Webb should Rave met ard talked matters
over. Politicians Of less prominence and
experience than General Grout would have
protected themselves from any such ac-
CusGtion.
General Grout says that he is not n cam
ddate at the present time for the Unit"d
States Senate, but that he may be. What
is he waiting for? What is going to happen
between now and the converting of the
Legislature to effect his chances? 1t Sc ms
reasonable to conclude that this Is another
way Of saying, | am candidate provided
our scheme works, but am not quite ready
to announce my candidacy. The old say
ing of President Lincoln You can fool
some of the people all the time. all of the
people some Of the time. Dut cannot fool
all of the people all of the time will hold
true in this canvass.
When General Grout ran for the United
States Senate to fill the place made va
cant by the death of Senator Morrill,, it
did not take him long to make up his mind
relative to what action he should take, he
announced his candidacy at once without
any chance to mistake his intentions. Why
should it now? General Grout has done
his part from political standpoint. in
making plain that if DR.. Webb is NOM
mated he will be a candidate for the Uni
ted States Senate, but if Mccullough is
nominated he will not II anyone is foolish
enough to think otherwise. they viii have
themselves to blame, as all who read Cen
cral CIRCUITS letter must acknowledge that
he has left the door wide open for bust
ness.
OBSERVER
Mddlebury, Feb. 25 1909.
THAT MORSE MANIM'-NOTE FROM