Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1906-09-06
THE REPUBLICAN VICTORY.


ally anticipated outcome, the magni-
tude OF the victory comes as sur
prise to most people who have studied
the progress of the campaign. The
ante-election estimates OF Chairman
Chapman OF the Republican state com
mittee were approximately borne out
though they were received with mis-
givings by Republicans and with derl-
sion BY the Clement followers. IL
transpires that they were not mere
wild guesses, founded on hopes put
forth for campaign purposes, but
came as the result of probably the
most careful and critical canvass ever
conducted in Vermont. Election
night is quite often bad time for pre-
dictions, but this was an exception
to the Republican managers.
The victory is so clean-cut, so over
whelming, as to need little comment.
1t registers the approval Of the people
OF Vermont OF the record, the policies
and the candidates of the Republican
party. 1t puts the foot down hard on
Mr.. Clement and his propaganda. II
says that the party in power is entitled
by its accomplishments to continue its
work for the state. 1t disposes of Mr..
Clement fully and finally.
Mr.. Clement conducted a remark
able campaign with the material he
had at hand II required little discern
ment 10 see that he lacked all issues /
OF Importance It was a campaign OF
wind, periorce. The Fusionists made
great deal OF noise, with little or
nothing to Justify the cutlery. All the
serious charges they brought up re-
manned unproyen, and the failure 20
prove them reacted on the iusu-
gators, OF course. The sober iudg-
ment of the state could not pass sen
tence of condemnation on the Repub-
lican party without more reason than
was at any time disclosed.
Another thing Vermont is naturally
a strongly Republican state Loyalty
to the party still counts FOR much.
When Mr.. Clement cut loose from
that party and hitched up with the
Democrats, with no just proyocation
for the action, he forfeited much
support that might have been his
within the party Il looked too much
like a last desperate attempt TO
restore his political fortunes at any
and all cost. He could not fairly
hope to lead very considerable fol
lowing out OF the party under such
In Fletcher ID. Proctor the Republic.
cans found a worthy leader and Mr..
Clement a formidable foe Those who
once sneered at Mr.. Proctor as a weak
ing, put forward solely on account Of
his parentage and his wealth, are long
since silenced. He justified the best
hat has been said Of him BY those who
best knew him. His active work on
he stump, where he appeared to
splendid advantage, won him the /
hearts OF thousands OF voters who saw
md heard him thus for the first time.
At the same time it was an educat.
We experience to Mr.. Proctor, and he
will be a better governor for having
thus met so many OF his constituents
.o-be, and having studied them so
closely. In voting for Fletcher d. B
Proctor, his supporters felt they were
giving their ballots to a personality. |
not mere name. It brought him
warmth OF loyalty that he could never
nave commanded had he not taken the
stump. And he was ably seconded by
Messrs. Prouty, Fits and Graham.
whose telling blows counted every
where
Mr.. Clement on the stump this year
was not distinct success. Il was re-
that his canvass began to
slump from the moment he began his
campaigning. Somehow the charm Of
novelty had been lost to him. and
neither his harangues or his person
llity attracted. Some OF his llenten-
ants, notably the Democratic contin-
gent, including Pape and Senter
proved better vote-getters.
While both campaigns were well
the Republican organiza- h
ion was naturally the more efficient
It went at its work at the beginning
With all the advantage of existing
party machinery at its command
while the Fusionists lacked this and
much else that counts in a sharp polit-
cal contest. Its directors were
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