Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1904-07-07
RESULTS OF THE CONVENTION.

Inc TepuDHCan convention heIu at
Montpelier Thursday marked the cui-
mination Of one Of the most rcmn rka Bile
campaigns in the history of Vermont
politics. The claim had been made that
there was little enthusiasm among the
republicans Of the Green Mountain State.
but when their representatives. came to
assemble for the purpose Of nominating
candidates Tor State offices a spirit Of
intense earnestness manifested itself and
genuine enthusiasm was generated in
connection with the contests over various
nominations.
The marked Uncertainty which had
been o peculiar feature Of the preliminary
campaign continued UP to the eve Of the
convention and not until the large num-
gates had arrived in the convention city
and had been canvassed by counties was
II possible to predict the outcome with
any degree Of certainty. II then became
evident that Bell had large lead and
that the only hope of preventing his NOM
inatton lay in the ability OF those In favor
of Stanton and the champions Of DeBoer
working together to make a break in the
Bell ranks and rendering a majority for
him on the first ballot impossible.
A careful canvass by the Fell managers
showed about midnight before the con-
ventior that ne had In the vicinity Of 400
delegates while the supporters Of the two
other candidates looked for about 200
each on the first ballot. II will be OBJ
served that II the latter claims had been
correct, Bell could not have won on the
ent combinations. the most important Of
these being that Bell and Mead were
working together. II the supporters of
Stenrns could have been convinced that
this was the case. the 1amoilie county
delegation and other supporters Of
Stearns would naturally have sought
other alliances. They we're not convinced
of this. although as a matter OF fact n
humber Of countids were largely for
Mead and Bell. and Bells lead enabled
his supporters to gain strength from the
ranks Of both Mead and Stearns. Rut-
land county looked to Bennington county
for some support for Mead in connection
with a considerable number of votes for
Bell In Rutland county ard the failure to
gain votes for Mead there has caused
bad blood between Rutland and Benning-
ton counties
Speaking in general terms Bells sup
port came principally from Caledonia.
Orleans. Orange. Windsor and Windham
counties on the east side and from Grand
Isle. Franklin, Lamoille. Addison and
Rutland and Bennington on the west
side. Chittenden and Washington coun-
ties were about equally divided between
DeRoer and Stanton. and their remain
Ing delegates were scattered here and
there in other counties with the exccp-
ton Of Grand Isle. which was solid for
Bell.
The statement was frequently made
that II DeBoer had made known his will
lingness to accept the nomination six
weeks ago. he might have won. but when
Montpelier and Barre and Burlington
chose delegations favorable to him. many
men had been pledged to either Stanton
or Bell. His supporters were Handicapped
by the uncertainty which surrounded the
fusal to make any personal effort TO gain
the nomination tended TO increase that
uncertainty. Under all these circum-
stances, 1t is hardly surprising that his
active supporters did not make greater
progress.
The loss Of Burlington is con-
coded to have been fatal for the oandi-
Il ~ tlot
seeing politician is indicated by the re-
mark attributed to him on the evening
of the receipt Of news OF the result in
burlington that DeBoer's success in this
instance meant the nomination of Fell.
Others recognized the effect of Burling-
tons verdict, and this being the case, 1t
is remarkable the county in which Bell
had practically no votes was largely
responsible for his pronounced victory
In the light Of the convention figures,
however, II locks as If Bell might have
won even il the name of DeBoer had not
been presented to the convention al
though the margin might have been diff
ferent from what it was.
The convention Itself was one of the
ever assembled in Vermont The spcec hes
made In support OF different candidates
were gratifvingly free from exhibitions
of vindctiveness and petty politics, while
not few Of the speeches were character
lied by flights OF genuine eloQucnce In
deed We do not recall a political convcn-
ton in Vermont In which tho remarks
of the speakers as a whole were OF so
high an order in every way as those of
yesterdays convention. CONGRESSMAN
ficer and Mr. BARRIERS platform was an
admirable and forceful declaration of
Vermont republican principles.
Mr.. Bell has every reason to he gratificd
over the handsome support he received.
and he is to be congratulated on the high
character OF his canvass AS one of tho
speakers expressed it in convention, Mr.
Bell won in spite of many OF the republic
can organization leaders. and he owes
his nomination principally to his own
effective work as campaign manager
aided az the outset by n few jealous adj
mircrs and supporters, who insisted that
he could win in spite Of the lukcwarm-
ness of those leaders in different conn
ties who stood ready UP to n compare
lively recent date to throw their support
to DeBcer. In the midst of political rival
ries among leaders which go so far to
shape political contests Mr.. Bell made
himself the logical candidate and a man