Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1906-04-06
WOULD SUCCEED HASkINS
GOVERNOR BELL FORMALLY AN.
NoUNcEs HIS CANDIDACY
For Nomination for Representative to
Congress from Second District-Kit-
tredge Haskins Asks for Reelection,
and Frank Plumley May Run.


Governor Charles j. Bell Of Walden
definitely announced himself, at st.
Johnsbury, Tuesday, as candidate for
congressman from the second Vermont
district. The present incumbent of the
office, Hon. Kittredge Ilaskins of Brat
tleboro, had previously announced
himself ms candidate for rc-nonina-
tion, and the friends Of Hon. Frank
Plnmley of Northiield declare that he
win also enter the race. Mr.. Plumley
recently concluded Mis- duties as arbi-
traitor in the ease of the French gov
ernment against Venezuela. lie is now
in New York and his announcement as
a candidate is expected soon after his
return the first of next week. lie has
not thus far discussed or refused TO
discuss the situation.
The Montpelier Journal thus COM
ments on the prospects of the fight:
From the talk in political circles, ii is
evident that Plumley congressional stock is
above par on the east side even ~ this time
when he has not yet announced himself.
"A party who has been travelling through
Caledonia county and that section, said Tues
day evening that he found a strong Plumley
sentiment there and he was told by what he
considered good authority that Mr.. Plumley'
could get delegation from 81. Johnsbury
easily.
~ prominent faner.poltician Of Water.
hurry also asserted on Wednesday evening
that Mr. Plumley was strong IN that section.
When asked II he did not think Governor
Bell was strongly entrenched in his grange
machine the farmer replied that that
strength was not so strong as some would
suppose. He said the farmers were not blind
to the political ambitions Of Governor Bell
and when they read that remark OF his made
at a banquet in Boston at which he was re-
ported to have said that he was having
real good time but would rather be at home
milking il had set some Of them thinking that
as long as he felt such a Keen delight in
such pursuits he had better remain OF home
and stick to them.
IAN appointee holding office under Gov.
ernor Bell said today that he was sorry the
governor had gone into this thing as he had
made good record as governor, but that the
matter Of congressman was widely differ
ent matter and that even the supposed
strength Of the phalhnx of grangers with
which the governor is affiliated was not strict
ly true for he knew II to be vulnerable in
parts He said II had been claimed by
friends OF the governor that Orleans county
was a solid Bell county but he had reason
to believe that such was not the case and
that Mr. Plumley was considered the logical
candidate in many parts OF the state and
", aid receive strong personal following TO
say Lothing of the strength that would come
10 him from ;te F@Skirs -ufn? Il Mr. Has
kins finally Withdrew from the race as has
been predicted he ultimately win do.
'One Of the strongest republicans of
Windsor county said today that his county
was in the Haskins territory and so had
feeling for him but the impression was down
that way that the fight at the finish would
be between Bell and Plumley and il was his
opinion that the latter would get the nomi-
nation, barring accidents.
A st. Johnsbury correspondent of
the Journal says:
''To those who have been watching the
political pot in this district for some time
past Governor Bells announcement is not
unexpected but the time of his making it
has been the prime factor in the game as his
sphinx.like silence has barred Hon. Frank
Plumley from making a similar announce
ment for reasons that are apparent to the
students of politics.
1T has been acknowledged by even the
friends of Colonel tInskins that he had no
return ticket and it has been argued that
Mr.. Plumley would be a logical candidate
when Colonel Haskins was either out of the
field or another competitor entered the field
against him.
Now that Governor Bell has announced
himself it makes the race a freeforal and
should Mr. Pumey enter the race il will not
be so much as an antagonist to Colonel Has.
kins as to Governor Bell and should the
prophecy that the former is dead one
be true, il is assumed Mr. Plumley would
draw considerable strength from the Has
kins forces.
Mr.. Pumey is in New York city at the
present time and so could not be interrogat'
ed as to what he will or will not do now that
Governor Bell has removed the lid from his
well of silence but his friends believe he
will be candidate in the congressional race.
This announcement of Governor Bell
would make il appear that the recent fine
weather had caused him to forego the pleas
ure of sugaring for the more strenuous task
of planting corn
The Bellows Falls Times says:
with three strong men in the race the
fight for the honor of representing the Sec
ond Vermont district in congress promises
to be as interesting as the fight for the gov
ernorship. The republican convention which
first nominated Haskins felt very friendly
toward Pumley, for after several ballots in
which there was no choice he withdrew ana
most of his support went to Haskins. 1t is
probable that Haskins has not forgotten the
good turn and in the event of deadlock
between him and Bell might do what he
could to help Plumley. In Windham county
Haskins will probably have solid support
The fight will be over the second choice of
the delegates
The ST. Johnsbury Republican has
made editorial endorsement of Gov
ernor Bell S candidacy and the st.
Johnsbury Caledonian supports the
claims of Mr.. Haskins. This latter ex-
ample is not followed by the Burling-
ton Clipper, which says:
1.-THE day of evening is near at hand.
Windham county's graft in offices will soon
be ended The II state and federal officials
holding fat jobs will soon have to work for
a living the same as other citizens. Give the
other counties "a square deal
The Burlington News commends Gov
ernor Bell s candidacy in the Following
somewhat non-committal paragraph
..Gov. Bell has proved himself man of
determination and force of character during
his service as chief executive of this state
and the qualities which have made him sue
cessful in this capacity will stand him in
good stead should his congressional aspira-
tions be granted. Governor Bell has many
friends who will work for him with vigor
and enthusiasm, and he will certainly be
formidable candidate
IL.