Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-11-22
VERMONT POLITICS.
A Look Ahead to The Campaign
Of 1908.
Vermont Correspondent Of n Boston
Paper Discusses Governor POssi-
bilities Two Years Hence
Eive Available Men.

| The Vermont correspondent of the
Boston Herald sends his paper the fol-
lowing interesting summary Of the
outlook for governor in 1903:
That there should be FIVE candidates
for the republican nomination for gov
ernor of Vermont two years hence,
when the present governor was in
faugurated less than six weeks ago, Is
something surprising even in Vermont
where there Is something doing In
politics every day in the year. That
is the fact, however, and while not all
the men mentioned for that position
are active candidates. they are all re-
garded as in the field to this extent
that they are working or friends are
working for them. All are regular re-
publicans; not one was n bolter in the
last campaign. and all are men of more
than ordinary strength and more than
usual qualifications for the office
The men thus before the public are the
Hon Zophar M. Mansur of Newport.
tho Hon. G.. H. Prouty Of the same
town, the Hon a. NJ. Fletcher OF
Cavendish the Hon. Clarke c. Fits of
Brattleboro and the Hon. Joseph A.
De Boer OF Montpelier. None OF these
gentlemen Is at present an open and
| avowed candidate. To declare them
selves thus early would be n serious
tactical mistake. But none OF them
denies that he may be a candidate,
and some OF them frankly say that IL
conditions should prove opportune they
would appreciated the honor, while
| friends OF all are ct work more or
less actively in securing promises of
support without any check on the part
of the men themselves.
1t Is contrary to custom In Vermont
| to give a governor Il re-election--there
are too many men waiting for the Of
fee. Neither is 1t customary to elect
a governor twice in succession from
the same side of the State. The
mountain rule is sacred, ana the
man who should attempt to break II
would seal his political DOOM SO the
candidate must come from the eastern
side Of the State. 1t was assumed
when John l.. Bacon retired from the
office of State treasurer that he would
enter the contest, but his name has
not yet been mentioned. so the choice
will probably be made from the men
above named.
MANsuR ONCE IN SECOND PLACE.
LOpHdr M MdnSur Is the OLDEST OF
the candidates, having been born in
| lS43. He Is Il native Of Morgan, prac-
tised law in Island Pond 80 years and
removed to Newport when he was
made collector of the district of Mem
phremagog in 1897 He served three
years in the Civil War, returning with
an empty sleeve. He was lieutenant
governor l894-96 and has always been
| mi in
State. Mr. MAnsur is a man of wide
acquaintance and IL thoroughly fami-
liar with Vermont politics. and while
he is not actively directing a cam
paign he has frequently been about
the capital during the present session
and does not seek to restrain the
friends who are interested in having
him made governor.
LIEUT.. GOV. PROUTY WELL KNOWN
| George H. Prouty, the present lieu
tenant-governor, Is representative of
the younger element in Vermont poll
tics He is Al years old, a successful
business man and well known figure
In recent politics. He was representa-
tive from Newport in 1895 and senator
from Orleans county in 1904, serving
He presides over the Senate with
grace and dignity, is a pleasing speak
err, a shrewd business man and has
acquired large circle of friends all
over the State,
FLETCHER HAS SERVED IN
SENATE.
Allen NJ. Fletcher of Cavendsh is a
native Of Indiana. He located in
Cavendish in 1851, and in the legisla-
tive directory describes himself as a
farmer. Mr.. Fletcher is popularity
rated as well along toward a million
aire, but he has lived quietly since
coming to Vermont. and was but little
known politically until 1902 when he
z was elected representative to the gen
a eral assembly. He was the candidate
= of the Independent republicans for
t speaker took the popular side in the
t discussion OF the local option bill and
n proved a strong and popular member.
t He was returned to the Senate in 1904,
= adding to his reputation In that body,
h and coming back to the House this
:, year Is chairman Of the important com
n mittee on appropriations. Mr.. Fetch
er is quiet man of pleasing de-
n meanor, with capacity for making
|, friends, and while he has many who
: desire to see him honored it Is not
o believed that he would actively engage
c in a serious fight for the position.
- Fits MAY ENTER OTHER FIGHT.
Clarke c. Fits of Brattleboro, the
J. present attorney-general. Is the young
g est of the candidates, being only So
q years old. He was elected to his pres
e ent position while serving as mem
;. Der of the House in 1904 the office
d having been created by the general as
:. sembly of that year Mr.. Fits is one
!, OF the rising lawyers of the state. and
a his tastes incline him to the pursuit
r of his profession. but he has also a
It natural aptitude for political life and
s his friends expect to see him actively
= | GcI.taSt Of 1anS !.