Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1904-08-11
THE FUSION MOVEMENT.

All factions of the Republican party in
Vermont are regular this year in rela
ton to the State ticket, and unless all
signs fail Bell and Stcarns will receive
majority that will gladden. the hearts
of republicans everywhere. The cxplana
ton of this situation is not difficult In
the first place Mr.. Bells canvass was cor
Quoted in a clean and unobjectionable
way, and his victory in the convention
was won in a manner which left no scars,
both of his rivals warmly congratulating
him on the result and proffcrng him
their support.
In the second place any republicans
who might be inclined to scratch the State
ticket realize that by so doing they will
be simply spitinG themselves. So tar as
Bell and Stearns are concerned it will
make no material difference to them
whether they are elected by 10000 or
30010
If any county should cut down its
nominal majority for the state ticket.
the republicans of that county would do
two things. They would cut down their
own representation IN tnc county, ulstrlct
and State conventions; and they would
help to discourage republicans in other
states and thus prepare the way for the
defeat of Roosevelt in the country at
large. That is all that scratching Bell
and Stearns in Vermont would amount to
this year. There is a general recognition
| of these facts and the governor vote on
which representation in the county, dis
trict and State conventions is based will
be made large as possible.
With reference to the county oandi-
dates, unfortunately the situation is diff
| ferent. In a number of counties there is
a disposition to keep alive the fusion
movement, and that in spite of the fact
that the State republican convention de
clared in favor of the further trial of
| the local option law. The situation varies
in different counties. In Rutland county.
| for example. license republicans who
went into the republican county con-
vention as candidates. have bolted and
have become candidates on the demo
cratic ticket. The Rutland News says:
| THE republicans Of Rutland county will
| 40 wen 10 remember IJtinocFat LcnlS II
| Ellis of Fair Haven and Democrat Will
lam II. Preston of the same village These
men Were both unsuccessful candidates
| before the Rutland county republican
| convention the first for senator, the see
ond for States attorney. Unsuccessful
there. they are now nominated by tn,
democrats Imagine if YOU can how strong
are the political faith and principles OF
| man who can thus be used"
Il iy ba
tain Rutland county republicans realz,
that they will simply be biting off the
own noses by failing to support the Stat,
ticket they are determined to retain tn
old fusion alignment by continuing tn
alliance in relation to county officers.
In Chittcnden county another situation
presents itself. A number of democrat
in Richmond and Colchester have prepare,
nomination papers for a so-called license
local option ticket for county officers an,
have placed it in the county clerks Office
This is manifestly democratic trick T.
, secure republican votes for several demo
cratic candidates who hail from Richmon
and Colchester, and the fact that the pro
jectors of this movement have failed I
secure more than several republican sigma
lures. shows that this is an attempt I
, deceive the voters of this county aga
, into the election of democrats. Thi
, trick will not deceive any intelligent mar
however. and the future may show it t
) be Il boomerang for any republicans VIII
allow their names to be used in that con
? necton. The names attached to the pa
pcrs in question may be printed later
; when the public will have an opportunit