The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-09-02
George H. PrOut Is Elected Governor By About 28,OOO
 Majority
REPUBLICAN VOTE
 SOMEWHAT REDUCED
Speakers of National Prominence Stumped the State for Republicans, While Democrats Fought
 Battle Unaded.

White River Junction, Vt, September 1.-The republicans won the election in Vermont today by carrying the state for Lieutenant Governor George H. Prouty of Newport for governor by about 2S,0OO votes over James E. Burke of Burling- ton. his democratic opponent. The plu- rality was the smallest on 9. presidential wear since 1892, when it was only 17,955 and was followed by democratic na- tional victory, but it was larger than in 1888 and only slightly less than in 1900
 There was a falling off in four years of about per cent in the republican vote. while the democratic vote fell off about 2 per cent.
 The independence league appeared for the first time, and polled about 1000 votes while the prohibition and socialistic vote remained about the same. An unusually large number of local contests for mem bers of the legislature, although bringing ont a heavy vote and resulting in demo- cratic gains in the lower branch of the legislature. apparently had no bearing on the gubernatorial fight.
 As Vermont is the first state to vote during the presidential campaign there was much interest throughout the coun- try in the size of the republican plu- rality.
 Control Retained.
 The republicans retained complete con trol of both executive and legislative branches of the government of Vermont in the state election today, the voters indorsng the party ticket for state off / cers headed by George H. Prouty of New port. electing to Congress from the First district David J. Foster of Burlington for another term. and from the Second district Frank Plumley of Northfeld for the first time, and choosing a majority of the state legislature which will elect a successor to the late Senator Redfield Proctor.
 At 1O:45 D. m. Prouty's plurality was estimated at 2S000. The state ticket elected was as follows;
 Governor-George H. Prouty of New port. Lieutenant Governor-John A. Mead Of Rutland. Treasurer-Edward H. Deavitt of Mont pelier ce4 bury. s Attorney General-John G. Sargent or Ludlow.
 Al 1O:45 returns had been received from 157 towns and three cities, includ- ing Burlington, out of the 240 towns and the six cities of the state. These returns gave: For Governor - Prouty (republican), 30,176; Burke tdemoorat)' 10.674; Backus Independence league), 7e4; Campbell (prohibition), ego; Dun bar (socialist), 305.
 Same cities and towns in 1904 gave: Bell Crepublican), 32,726; Proctor, 1O,- 921 These figures indicate republican loss of per cent and democratic loss of 2 per cent. On this basis Prou- t1's plurality is estimated at 2S,0O0, compared with Bells plurality of 31,557 in 1904.
 Falling Off In Vote.
 Early returns showed slight falling off in the republican vote for governor from that of four years ago, while the democratic vote remained practically unchanged, despite the fact that in an unusually large number of local con- tests the democrats were, as rue, successful. The republican majority in inc next house, therefore, will be con siderably reduced The voters were urged to support the republican ticket by speakers of national importance, who Stulnped the state during the past two weeks, discussing issues which will be heard in other parts of the country this fall. On the other hand, the democrats fought the battle alone. flames E. Burke of Burlington, former ly known as the "Blacksmith Mayor" of that city who headed the ticket, having only local talent in his sup port.
 The democrats were also anxious re- gardins the strength of the independ- cnce league movement, a new factor In state politics, but the returns from a majority of the cities and towns showed that a comparatively small number of voters supported Quimby s. Backus of Brandon, wno headed the new party ticket.
 The prohibition party ran a close race with the independence league, while the socialists were a poor fifth in the contest among the leaders.
 The voters were favored with excel lent weather throughout the day, and, despite the fact that the harvest was at hand, they came to the polls in large numbers.
 Late tonight MT, Burke issued the following statement:
 Prom the returns of Fl out of 246 towns received by me, I claim that Prouty's majority will be under 25, ,OOO."
 Prisoner Escapes Mob.