Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1904-04-28

is understood that he remained away in
part to emphasize his disinclination to
entering the race for the governorship.
lie has succeeded in making it manifest
that If he eventually is made n candidate
1t will be very decidedly case of the
office seeking the man.
Truth compels us to sny that one of
the most noticeable features Of the re-
publican gatherings was tho frequency
with whichthc name ofthc Hon. Joseph A.
DeIocr was favorably suggested in con-
nection with a possible solution of the
governorship situation. Mr.. DeBoer is
noted for his independence in thought
and action, and perhaps for that very
reason some of the political leaders
would not look with favor upon his nom
nation, but that very fact also tends
10 commend him to the people. Expression
OF sentiment in this connection almost in
variaby takes the form OF a wish TINT
ne might be the republican standard
bearer, and If all the other candidates
remain in the field SO as to ensure a
night In the state convention to be held
pie to see Dcfoer selected as com
promise candidate.
80 far as effects on Vermont politics
are concerned the first district convcn-
ton for the election of district delegates
ovTshadowcd both the State and second
district conventions. and all through Il
contest IN which an entirely outside issue
was paramount. To thoroughly under
stand the situation it will be helpful to-
go back TO the beginning of the canvass
Tor DELE gate. One of the candidates was
Judge James a. Merrill OF Rutland and
inasmuch as he refused to bolt the State
republican ticket in 1902, although he was
one of Mr.. Clements chief supporters
up to the time of the State convention,
there was a somewhat general disposition
To give him an election without opposition.
The Chittonden and bennington county
d"lo cations were practically solid for him
at the outset, and he had practical as
surance of an unopposed election as dele
gate to the Chicago convention.
Then came the contest over the election
of delegates from the city of Rutland to
the State and district conventions. At
the outset there was no opposition to
Judge Merrill in Rutland as district d, le-
gate, provided the State delegation from
that city We're divided equally between
the Clement and anti-Clement factions
The Clement people insisted that they
should absolutely control both dele
l.
to the way in which this contest was
developed, but Clementism at once be-
came the dominant issue and remained
so to the bitter end
As soon as it became evident that Glenn
ent was involved in tho election of Judge
Merrill as delegate. so bitter was the
feeling against the former that although
inc latter is one Of the Marble City's most
popular young men. he went down in the
general defeat Of the Clement faction in
Rutland.
In spite Of his rejection by his own
city on the issue of Clemeutism
it was determined by the Clement
faction to take Judge Mcrrilrs can
uio"cF INTO the district convention,
and through the two days preceding that
gathering the contest waged fierce and
strong. its participants very generally
sticking TO the fight. even while the State
convention was in progress
During tho latter part Of the afternoon
and the evening Of Wednesday the tolc-
graph and telephone wires we're kept bus.
with messages summonng district dele
gates from the different counties on the
west side of the mountain l.ne. Where
delegates could not come alternatcs were
URGED to put in an appearance, and rs a
result the late trains of "Wednesday night
and the trains Of Thursday morning
brought large additions to those delegates
Hlready in evidence.
at late hour "Wednesday night or
rather at an early hour Thursday morn
ing, word came from Mr.. Clements head
quarters in the Van Ness IIcdso to ! ron
Merrill had decided to withdraw, but at
that late hour it was impossible to deter
mine whether the announcement was gem
nlne or simply rusc to throw the anti .
element people off their guard and keen
the lHttor'S DELEGATES from coming to Bur
lh"ton. Thursday morning there was
still note of uncertainty, but this soon
gave way to period of peace in which
tho reiolcines of the victors who had rail-
lied about tn" standard Of j. F. Manning
were mingled with the excavations of
some of the former supporters Of Judge
Merrill uttered against the man who had
soltshly and in the most cold -bloodel
manner possible pulled Judge Merrill down
from certain victory to emphatic defeat.
The auti-Clemcut feeling which dom
mated the republicans became still more
manifest when three hundred delegates
in convention vociferously and enthusiasts
tically arpauded Mr.. c. +. Smiths ad-
vocacy of the election of Mr.. Manning
because tho latter stood for "auti-so,ne.
thing IN expression which the delegates
were not slow to grasp and appreciates
The contest against Clement was hailed
by the republican leaders with delight for
ii was the first opportunity they had en-
ioNod of Lining up their supporters against
him. and the results surpassed their ex-
pectation even, the Clement supporters
haN ing been whipped to staudstill."
and strong organization having been
effected which can be effectively used
later on.
In spite of three successive rebuffs Mr..
Clement announced that he would take
the stump within week not as an avow-