Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-09-14

the office at this time
An attempt was also made TO induce
pr. webb to- support the man who has
now come out as a candidate for tt, pur-
pose of trying to beat Mr. Proctor. but
the attempt was a superlative failure a.
fact which. it is claimed. is not likeI,
TO be forgotten at tie right time.
PAGE, WEBB, CLEMENT.
Tho name of ex-Gov. Carol. s. Page
was also canvassed as n possible cand!-
date for the govcrnorship against Proctor
by the few men in question but he Is UNI
dcrstood after consulting with regard to
tho effect which his candidacy for a sec
ond terra in the governors chair might
have upon his political future to have
decided that he did not deem it advisable
for him TO allow the use of his name in
that connection.
At this point one Of the men who had
been forced by circumstances to take
part in the conference openly announced
that he would support Proctor for the
eovernorship. Only a few days ago am
other effort was made by one man from
the south part of the State to persuade
DR. Webb TO allow the use of his name.
and after DIR. Webb had declined either
to allow the use of his name or to sup
port Clement nothing remained but for
=. W. Clement to come into the field
and do the best he could under the cir
cumstances.
The opinion was expressed at the fish
and game banquet that the publication Of
Mr.. Clements letter announcing himself
rs n candidate was timed so that it might
make its influence felt at that gathering.
Tho letter did have an influence. but jude.
ing from all accounts that effect was en-
tiroly different from the one intended 1t
fell fiat SO far ms influencing support in
favor Of its writer is concerned. while on
the other hand it influenced some who
had held it to be early to press the gov
ernorship question to at once take Oft
their coats for Proctor.
CANNOT FORGET THE BOLT.
One man In discussing tho letter Of Mr..
Clement said that he was asking the re-
publicans not only to forget what he had
attempted to do with the party four years
ago, but he was also inviting the people
to take up matters which had already
been disposed of. He said the republicans
have wiped out the direct tax; they have
ripped up state institutions where it was
needed: they have put in new men and in
stitutcd new measures and the people of
the country might as we'll try to arraign
the republicans in the general government
for the abuses which President Roosevelt
has rcmcdicd and made past issues as to
answer to Clements appeal for support
against abuses rcmodicd under Governor
Bell.
Che republican said:"I had not intend
| I'd to go to the fish and game banquet,
| hut when / saw Clements letter in tho
morning paper. and realized that an at
| tempt WAS to be made to crente senti-
incnt in his favor determined to drop
| everything and be there to work against
Him"
Another man who had worked for
! Clement in the campaign If 1902 said hc
| bad enough. recalling the cold-hlooded
manner in which Clement had treated
| Judge Merrill, one OF his most active
| supporters in Rutland and other former
| adhercnts.
former license man said Clements
| letter was not unexpected, but ] shall
not support him. and think he will be
surprised to find how many supporters
| he has lost"
| GOOD SHOWING FOR PROCTOR.
| A supporter of Proctor vas enthusiasts
tic over the showing made at the fish
and game banquet. )Ic said: "Clement'3
| letter could MT have core out at a
more favorable time for Us. If II had been
issued later. we might have wondered
in relation to tic effect OF the announce
inert Of his candidacy but now we have
been in touch with mon from all parts
OF the State and know that he Us q dead
one. You can hardly find n man who
will admit that re is for Clement in this
great crowd, while the sentiment is over
1 whelming for Proctor"
Another man thought it vas pretty
cheeky for Clement to ask for the nom
ination of tire very party he tried to
destroy 50 recently, and raid he SHOULD
do works mete for repentance before be-
ing put at the head of the party.
There was some talk that a third cali
didatc might be brought into the field
AMI that Clement was merely being used
to chcckmatc Proctor in Rutland coun
IS to let another man 90. TIE plum. hut
wher it was recalled how Clement turne u