Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1906-04-12
A BUSY WEEK.

Second district; the declination OF
State Treasurer John L. Bacon 10
serve another term; and the partial re-
port of the state investigating commit
tee.
II has been generally understood for
several months that Governor Charles
j. Bell of Walden would be a candi-
date to succeed Hon. Kittredge Has
kins of Brattleboro when he should
come up for denomination next sum
mer, as it was known would happen.
The formal announcement of Gov
ernor Bell last week was not a sur
prise therefore. It has been expected
that in case Governor Bell entered the
field, Hon. Frank Plumley of North
field would likewise do so, making a
triangular contest Mr.. Plumley has
not vet announced himself as a candi-
date, and we understand he has not
fully decided to do so, bat we rather
expect to see him in the arena ere the
lists close.
What the outcome will be in the
Second district is a subject OF lively
speculation at present. A member OF
the New England delegation in Con-
gress, quoted in Sundays Boston
Globe, summed up the situation fairly
rs follows :-
1T will be a hard fight, with a close
finish Gov. Bell is very popular, es-
pecially with the farmers. He is head
Of the State Grange and has cultivated
the friendship Of the agricultursts.
"Mr. Plumley has many warm
friends and recently added to his rep
utation by his work as one Of the arbi-
traitors in the Venezuelan claims cases. !
lie was a candidate against Haskins
when the latter was first nominated (
In tact, his support thrown to Haskins /
elected him over Wendell Phillips /
Stafford now Judge OF the District OF |
Columbia supreme court.
"Mr. Haskins himself has made /
good record here. Besides he is |
strong with the old soldiers and has /
many friends growing ont OF his afili-
ations with secret society organizl- /
tiQns. lie believes that he viii be able |
to do more for his constituents hereaft-
er, having completed three terms, than
he has done in the past
Hon. John l.. Bacon of White River
Junction, for the past four terms
treasurer of the state OF Vermont, in
a public letter announces that he will
not again be a candidate. lie says he
stated eight years ago that he believed
four terms sufficient for any incum-
bent, and he has not changed his
mind. He thinks it best to retire now
in favor Of some new man. His view
is quite uuassailable, and does credit
TO his generosity, as well as his judg-
ment, since he could probably have
held the Office longer without SO much
rs the asking.
In commenting on the withdrawal
Of Mr.. Bacon, the Free Press truly
says
The announcement of State Treas
lrer j: l.. Bacon that he will not seek I
1 denomination in the state Republican I
will come as a surprise to ,
he public in general, although it has ,
been known to some OF bis friends for
,ome time that he was strongly con- :
'idering this step. Mr.. Bacon has i
made a faithful and efficient treasurer I
md the people of Vermont will be !,
ortunate il they succeed in securing
his equal as his successor. There are I
many excellent men available, how t
yer, and it is to be taken for granted i
hat a good man will be nominated :
n the state Republican convention" :
The committee appointed by Gov.
Bell to investigate and report con-
erning conditions at the several =
tate institutions submitted its findings g
IS to the states prison at Windsor .
'londay. IL will pursue its task and v
eport again later With regard to the .
Iouse OF correction, Industrial school :
nd asylum Tor the insane. q
The tenor Of the findings AS to a
fairs at Windsor is that the state II
.self is the chief offender. in that it |
as not provided the convicts with
uarters and facilities for insuring /
heir moral and physical well being. |
he committee describes the prison |
lnitary arrangements in a way that I
lakes one hold ones nose. Very |
ropcrly it recommends changes that /
yin be in keeping with modern ideas. /
With regard TO the immoralities at /
ne prison, which have been fully re-
orted heretofore, the committee finds |
rat they resulted naturally from the |
20 intimate association between the
sXes which the architectural arrange
lent OF the prison interior made