Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1904-03-18


Difficulty in Settling the Question Of
Holding a Csueus-Politicians Want
II Strictly Partisan Affair Against
Wishes Of Candidates.
The scramble for the office OF post
master Of Brattleboro. which began
quietly Monday and has been inereas-
ing steadily since then, Is now on In
earnest with three avowed candidates
in the field: G. w. Wilcox, for S2 years
an employe of the local office and at
present assistant postmaster Frank
l.. Hunt of the S. A. Smith company.
and Col. IL. Il. Taylor of the firm Of
Taylor a. Son, Insurance agents Sew
eral other names were ut first mention
ed In connection with the office but the
contest is now between Messrs VIII
cox, Hunt and Taylor, each OF whom
has a large number of supporters. Just
what method Congressman Haskins
will use in choosing a candidate for
Recommendation to the president has
not yet been settled to the satisfaction
of all concerned. Mr.. Haskins, who
came on from Washington Tuesday
evening, held a conference with the
candidates and some of their sup
porters yesterday morning, agreeing to
let the lucky man be determined by
of the caucus to the candidates them
selves. Messrs Wilcox, Hunt and
Taylor at once decided that the fair
est method of getting the wish of the
people in the matter was to hold
strictly bipartisan caucus, and
plans were laid to hold the event Mon
day Col. Taylor and Mr.. Hunt saw
Congressman Haskins just before he
left for Washington yesterday morn
ing and told him on what they had
decided Mr.. Haskins seemed per-
Ipeetly satisfied.
In the meantime some of Col. Tay-
llor's supporters. among them J. L.
Martin and c. C. Fits learned of the
compromise that had been effected and
were dissatisfied to think that their
candidate had agreed to a settlement
by any such means. Mr.. Martin tele-
phoned to Col. Taylor that he should
not support him If ne allowed the de-
eision TO be made by caucus and a
number of others rebelled at the idea
of such a thing. 1t was at length de-
cided that Congressman Haskins's
views should be secured and he was
wired at Springfield, Mass. Mr.. Has
kins replied that the caucus ought to
be restricted to Republicans. Accord
ingly Col. Taylor decided to withdraw
from the agreement which he made
earlier in the morning, and stood out
for a strict party caucus, although ne
stated to his friends that he did not
want the place unless the majority OF
patrons, irrespective of party. were
for him. This change OF mind
did not meet with approval from eitn-
er Mr.. Wilcox or Mr.. Hunt or any OF
their supporters. so the matter is sim
hanging fire. c. III. Thompson, chair
,,a, nf tI,a DopnhliaaO town conn
mittee. wired Congressman HaskinsJ
for further instructions yesterday af-
ternoon and expects to have reply
from him today.
The question of the postmastership
lis causing unusual excitement In
town and each candidate has a goodly
share of supporters. Mr.. Wilcox has
I the basis of a strong claim to the office
by reason of the many years that ne
II has served as assistant postmaster
land the familiarity which he has with
| the details of the work. In recent
wears he has had practically the whole
responsibility of the office on his
shoulders and has borne it to the sat
lisfaetion of everyone. If the idea or
| civil service reform Is to be carried out
! to the letter Mr.. Wilcox certainly has
strong qualifications. Mr.. Hunt mas
/ the united support of nearly all the
Younger business men in town and q
strenuous effort is being made to Sc
cure him the appointment. He num-
bers among his supporters those who
wish to have an active and compara-
lively young man at the head of the
| local postoffice. and is no doubt cap
able of fulfilling the duties satisfac-
| torily Col Taylor, on the other hand,
| is the candidate of the old line Repub-
licans who believe that the place be-
longs to a man who has done some
thing for his party and is deserving of
recognition. There is not the slightest
doubt that Col. Taylor would make an
excellent postmaster, and the fact that
he stood aside for DR.. Webster when
the latter was appointed six years ago
| is n point in his favor, although Mr.
Hunt. and Mr. Wilcox both did the
same thing.
In talking with a number of his
| friends wednesday evening Congress
man Haskins made the statement that
Col. Taylor was his personal choice.
but he added that he was willing to
leave the matter to the patrons of the
local office. There is no question.
therefore. that the only fair method Of
settling the dispute is by calling a
strictly nom partisan caucus Gas was
planned in the first place. and getting
the opinion of the majority regardless
of party The idea of excluding all
except those who voted the Republican
ticket two years ago or. worse STILL all
except those who will pledge them
selves to vote the Republican ticF
next fall, is about as unfair n me
of procedure as can be imagine
the caucus plan is to be at
all let every patron be allowed to have
his say in the matter. If, not, let the
different candidates get out with their
petitions and hustle for names
This Mornings Developments.
Col. Taylor received late this morn
ing telegram from Congressman
Haskins the contents of which he does
not make public but says that it
makes no difference in the situation.
A prominent supporter of Mr.. Taylor,
however. says that he understands
the telegram places the matter of ar
ranging the caucus back in the hands
of the candidates. and If this is so
non-partisan vote will probably be the
result.
The Russian torpedo boat destroyer
Skorri was blown up yesterday in
Port Arthur harbor, as the result Of
striking an unplaced mine. Only
four members Of the crew were saved
owners Of the pulp mills at Wills
boro. n. Y. will bring suit against
T-5u-or5 Hatch ir interested in the