Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1908-02-06
MIR. FLETCHER AND THE COVER
WORSHIP,

AS noted elsewhere in these columns the
Hon. Allen NJ. Fletcher OF Cavendish an
nounces that he will not have his name
presented to the State republican con-
vention as a candidate FOR the rcpubl
can nomination for the governshp. Mr..
Fletcher, who has gained wide circle
OF friends and admirers In connection
with his service in both branches of the
Legislature. was assured of considerable
support in certain sections Of the state,
but he had never announced his candi-
dacy for the govcrnorship. An announce
ment had been expected for some time,
but as weeks elapsed without any state
mcnt of his intentions. some of those
who were inclined to support him, be-
came pledged against him, and he was
satisfied his candidacy would involve
strenuous contest with all which such a
| campaign would involve He therefore
decided. and, as We believe wisely at this
late day to refrain from making an effort
to secure the nomination.
What the roalignment Of those vino
| favored Mr.. Fletcher will be is an in
| teresting matter. The candidates for the
govornshp remaining are Lieutenant
Governor George II. Prouty of Newport
and former Lieutenant Governor Xcd S.
Stanton Of Roxbury, and the next few
days will probably see important de-
velopments in connection with the gov
ernship situation. At the present time
Mr. Prouty has "A marked lead, having
secured pledges of support from many
republicans in different parts of the
State. whereas Mr.. Stanton has not mad,
present time. The expectation was that
with Mr.. Fletcher holding Windsor
county and Mr.. Stanton backed by wash
ington county and with what counties
elsewhere in the state the two could
pick up, it might be possible to prevent
the nomination OF Mr.. Prouty on the FIRST
| ballot, thus proonging a three cornercd
fight.
With Mr.. Fletcher out of the contest
the problem for Mr.. Stanton is whether
he can make sufficient progress during
the few months intervening between the
present and the usual time of the con-
vention for the nominate of a State
ticket without another candidate In the
field. Right here the political student
would conclude that If Mr.. Fletcher with
his recognized ability and popularity son-
| cluded it wa not worth his while to
make the fight new candidate might
hesitate 10 enter the field at this late
day Still stranger things have happen
ed.
If M. Stanton is to attempt to con-
duct the fight against Mr. Prouty alone,
every man well informed in relation to
Vermont politics knows It will require n
combination Of forces which have usually
been arraycd in hostile camps to enable
him to make progress. Whether he can
do this remains to be seen. The dis
Interested observer would probably con-
cude at once that the elimination Of Mr..
Fletcher from the field practically as
sures the nomination of Mr.. Prouty, but
the next few days will likely settle this
question.
There will unquestionably be a strong
effort on the part Of some republicans
to induce Governo: Proctor to accept a
denomination, but we have seen nothing
so far to lead us to believe he would
seriously consider the call in the form
which it would likely take under exist
ing conditions. Whether those condt lions
will change is a matter which no
prophet nor son of prophet can safely
predict at this time.