Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1906-09-07
BELLOWS FALLS NEWS
F. D. Proctor Had II9 More Votes
than P. W. Clement
Result Was a Surprise as the FusIonlsts
Were Loud In Their clalms-5Ig In
crease In the Vote

Result Was a Surprise as the FusIonlsts
Were Loud In Their clalms-5Ig In
crease In the Vote
Political matters have been the princi-
pal topic of the week in Bellows Falls,
as in all other parts of Vermont. Sat
urday evening the last Republican rally
of the campaign occurred and as 1t was
a beautiful evening 1t was held near the
head Of the School street stairs. The
electric light company strung lines Of
bulbs among the trees and In all that
locality, a. speakers stand was erected
on the sidewalk front OF Mrs. Edward
Arms's residence, with a band stand
near, and settees and chairs accommo
dating 600 were ranged up the incline of
Church street and the Baptist church
lawn. These seats were early filled and
the surrounding space occupied with peo-
pie standing so the audience was vari
ouslyi estimated at from BOO to 1000
when the speakers arrived. Gen. N. G.
Williams presided and introduced in turn
George A. Weston Fletcher d. Proctor
and William A. Lord, each of whom made
telling arguments, particularly the can
didate for governor, who covered the va
rious claims and statements made by Mr.
Clement in a mastery manner. He Gre
ated a very favorable impression and
without doubt made many votes by his
visit. The band furnished music, but
much disappointment was expressed at
the inability of Campaign Singer Max
ham to be present, owing to illness.
At the same time an audience of $50
gathered in the opera house to hear Rev.
George e. Littlefleld of Massachusetts
speak in the interest of socialism and
those who heard him were pleased at his
personality, although the result Of the
vote in the town did not indicate a great
increase of interest from his visit.
Each one of the parties was on Tues
day well organized, and put in hard work
as is evidenced by the large vote cast.
The experiment of having two polling
places in town, one at Saxtons River,
worked well and gave good satisfaction,
possibly tending to increase the vote a
little.
The following are the relative votes
cast as compared with years ago, upon
the state ticket:
1902 1906
Combined Clement and Demo-
cratic, $40 4sS
Republican, 1876 602
Ali others, % 60
Totals OF vote cast, $50 1147
The result was a surprise to both par
ties. The Republicans had hoped they
would have as many votes as the fusion
party, but a large majority were skep-
teal about being able to. with all the
varied influences that had come into the
campaign, and the strength shown four
years ago by Mr.. Clement in this town
The fusionists talked loudly, claiming a
large majority, even an increase upon
their votes of 1902. Each sawed wood
good naturally through the day and in
the evening awaited results, expecting
almost anything.
In the evening arrangements were made
to receive the returns at various places
lnrfv hn11 H4rf fln.a
largest crowd was accommodated in the
square by the bulletins posted in the
windows of the Times building. BY 8
o'clock the indications were sd clear
what the result was to be that the crowds
began to melt, and at 10 the service was
discontinued.
Early in the evening the band began
playing in the square and after a few
selections they marched up Rockingham
street to the residence of Myron H. Ray
on Rockingham road, leading a large
procession OF citizens Of all political
creeds who went to pay their respects
to the newly elected town representative.
who kept open house and entertained in
a hearty manner all who came until IL
o'clock.
Mr.. Ray was born in Henniker, N H.,
Aug. 30, 1856, and until recent years has
followed the vocation of farmer He
came to Bellows Falls in 1886 and took
one of the large Connecticut river farms
just north of the village. This he dis
posed Of five or six years ago and erected
a fine residence in the village. He has
since devoted his time TO the lumber
trade and to town affairs. He has been
first selectman the last five years, and is
a man who fully enjoys the esteem and
confidence of his townsmen. He will
make a strong man for the legislature
not as a speaker, but as a solid and sub
stantial business man of good judgment