Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1904-04-28
'ERMoNTs POLITICAL SITUATION.
(Trom the darlington News)


representative republicans from every
quarter of the State leaves the governor
ship nomination in as much doubt as
ever. There were friends of every reg
ilar candidate so far mentioned. among
the delegates; but none of them gave
any indication of unusual strength
among the people. nor any hope that pub
lie sentiment will eventually crystalize
upon him.
BY regular candidates we mean, Of
course those who arc And har been in
sympathy with the organization. This
| classification excludes Mr.. Clement and
places him III the other class. MIR. Glenn
| ent and his friends were In the city in
considerable force, and they displayed
great activity. There We're conferences
and exchanges of opinion among them,
and on The whole We understand that
Mr. Clement feels greatly encouraged by
these conferences. Many of his friends
of the last campaign and many neg
ones among the younger element have
| declared their sympathy with him. II
! is an open secret. however. that num-
Der of Mr.. Clements friends in the
local option fight fear that he might now
| be defeated and advice against an at
tempt on the govcrnorshp this year.
| They. or some of them, think he would
better wait till next time. The result of
the Rutland caucus fight also has thrown
some confusion into the Clement ranks,
Throughout the State delegations il
looked like bad blow from his own
| community.
| The two active candidates from the
| cast side had their friends, at tho con
| vcntion, and a good deal of work was
done So fas as we can learn. however
not much progress was apparent MT
Bell had some enthusiastic workers who
claim that there is a considerable senti-
mcnt among the people for him which
has not vet found open expression. The
claim is mat for Mr. Bell that Ne is ar
! ideal candidate for Vermont and that hi
will develop the strongest following OF
any We failed 10 find many outcrOppings
| of the Bell sentiment however and still
hold to the opinion that Mr. Hcll mus
secure substantial unaninity among tn,
farmers or his CANVASS will be hopeless.
Mr.. Stantons friends make many
claims of strength, that a calm view OF
the situation would hardly Justify. 1t i:
claimed that his own county and some
others will he enthusiastic for him anc
that he is tho strongest of the two cas-
side candidates on the other hand ii !:
held that he will u" opposed by the loca
option sentiment: ana cthcrs think he is
too set in h- personal ideas Of thing!
to make broad minded governor. iii!
followers think he could beat Clement FOL
the nomination if the latter should have
the temerity to run. AS a hooker on IL
Venice" however, the News feels bount
to say that the claims of both candidate
seem to he somewhat overdraw From
general appearances. however, Mr.. Bel
seems to lead.
There are of course n good deal Of tall
of the Clement situation in its relation
to other candidates. II is held by a goo'
many raher wise political observers tina
if Mr. Clement is a candidate he could b
defeated from the east side only by j. /.
Martin. ON tho other hand the friend
of tile other candidates claim to belcv