Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1903-04-10

POLITICAL POT BOILING.
AN INTERESTING POLITICAL BUDGET
FROM MONTPELIER.
G. ]. Bell Of Walden, Robert ]. Kimball of
New York and Henry G. Ide Of St. Johns
bury Already in the Field as Gubernatorial
Candidates.

Candidates.
The political pot always boils in Yer
mont, and even now, less than six
months after election. plans are al
ready set in motion for capturing the
next goyernorship as we'll as senator
ship. The Montpelier correspondent
Of the Springfield Republican furnishes
the latest forecast as follows:
Although Vermont's next election
does not occur for nearly year and a
half. the Republican politicians are al
ready busy laying plans and making
preparations for what is generally be-
lieved will be serious fight. Under
the long established mountain rule, y
the nomination for governor belongs
on the east side of the state next year.
Three candidates have already been
suggested-C. J. Bell of Walden, prom
inent in the grange, who has been for
many years a member of the board OF
agriculture and the cattle commission I;
Robert j. Kimball, banker of New
York, who spends his summers in Ran
dolph and has recently given library
to that town; and Henry c. Ide of st.
Johnsbury, now on his way home from
the Philippines Bell is strong with
the farming element, Kimball stands
we'll with the machine, and it was eX-
pected that he would have the support
Of the old organization Ide in point
of equipment for the place is far ahead
of the others. He has been proml- :
nent lawyer in Vermont, has served
with distinction as chief justice OF
Samoa, and has done satisfactory work
as a member of the Philippine com
mission. A tropical climate does not
agree with his health, and it is under
stood that he will not go back. The
plan to make him the nominee origi-
mated in st. Johnsbury, and will be
laid before him as soon as he reaches
home. Judge Ide is able but austere,
not the kind Of man to arouse enthu-
siasm.
Nothing can be predicted about next
wears contest until there is something
to indicate what the Republican posi-
tion will be on liquor legislation.
While the regular platform last year
called for a referendum, the prohibi.
tionists stayed with the regulars and
voted for Mccullough. They are DOW
regular Republicans, perhaps not pro.
hibitionists, but not believers in local
option Battell men, believers in state
control, some of them strong party men,
who intend to make strenuous effort
to secure trial of their plan: and the
local-option Republicans. The latter
are the uncertain element. If they go
back to the old party they control 1t,
and those opposing their ideas may
submit or bolt. None of the men sug-
gested as possible nominee is known
as a local-option man, and without the
support of that element none of them
can win.
There will be added interest in the
contest next year, if the politicians are
correct in their belief that Carroll s.
Page will seek TO secure Proctor's seat
in the United States senate. He has
had his eye on the place for long
time, and If he thinks the time propi-
tious, he will make the fight next year.
That will involve struggle over the
legislature as well as the governorship,
and will make contest more lively
and bitter than that between Dilling-
ham and Grout. There are indica-
tions that Proctor's strength is wan
ing, but he is still capable of meeting
any politician in the state on equal
terms.