Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1908-06-18
coveanoasn.p CANVASS.


caucuses throughout the state. For con-
test that started slowly and moved slug
gishly at first, it has developed consider
able heat and friction toward the close.
Lieutenant Governor Prouty of Newport,
first in the field, was an undoubted ia
vorite until quite recently. With the de-
cision of Mr.. Fletcher of Cavendish not
to enter, it looked like a sure and easy
thing FOR the Newport man. Mr.. STAN
toms candidacy, when announced, Great
ed little impression. From various
quarters came notes OF dissatisfaction
with both candidates, and quite an in
ernor Proctor. This met with no en-
couragement from Proctor himself. who
is quite ready to make way for his sue
cessor.
AT about the time of holding the state
and district conventions, there was no.
ticeable snd surprising growth in STAN
ton sentiment. II dominated at Mont
reIier and Burlington. Il quite non-
plused the Prouty managers, who then,
for the first time, realized there was a
fight ahead il their man were TO win, in
stead of walkover. The central, south
ern aud western counties seemed to rally
instinctively to the Roxbury man. There
was apparently no concerted movement
to this end, or the outcropping of any
potent political mechanism. L was Just
a natural, spontaneous expression OF pref
erence for "Zea."
Mr.. Prou;y and his friends were wnr-
ried, and showed il. They cast about al
once for something to stem the tide. II
came to their ears that certain attorneys
representing some of the railways in YER
mont we're urging Stanton. Here was an
issue. Here was chance to play upon c
supposed prejudice of the people against
the railroads taxing part in politics, so as
10 make votes. Here was an opportunity
to pose Prouty as a defender OF the public
against railroad domination. Here was
an opening TO placard Stanton as the can
didate OF the corporations. Aad, By
means of editorials and paid advertise
ments in the newspapers, this line hiss
been worked, worked to the limit-and
quite notch beyond. How effective il
has been, how mach stock the voters
actually take in il, will be shown today.
What are the. facts? Qaite likely the
majority of railway officials in Vermont
prefer Stanton TO Prouty. This is only
natural. Prouty was an active worker
during the last legislative session for
some of the measures that the railroads
opposed, as inimical to their interests.
I His claim, broadly published, 10 tails
effect is quite well founded. In his plat
( form given out early he went on record
/ in favor of further legislative regulation
and restriction of corporations. Natur-
ally, he alarmed those chiefly interested,
and their support goes to Stanton in con-
sequence. He cannot complain of this.
/ Now how much effect viii il have on
the public mind? A good deal, il the
voters are convinced that Stanton as gov
ernor would, in return for corporation
support, abate one jot or title of his
weil-known independence and sterling
manhood. The people of this state en-
dorse the so-called Proctor policies car.
ried out by the legislature of 1906 and
want and expect them to be continued.
But for all that, giving Prouty due credit
I IN hat he in tre
may not care to see that record capitalized
for the benefit of any one man, hard
pressed by the exigencies OF q campaign,
especially when it is put up to them in
a way that means the discontinue OF a
rival for Office whom many believe to be
just as strong and worthy as Mr.. Prouty.
As to Zed Stanton, nobody has ever
owned him or commanded him. He
says, and he is believed, that he has I'M
dertaken no obligations of any, sort, and
II elected will have no debts to pay. He
cannot help it IL certain railroad attor-
neys prefer him to Prouty, but he has not
sought their support, and may regard it
as something OF handicap. The essen
tial question is, Do the people believe
that Stanton would prostitute the govern
orship in any degree because the rail-
roads, in their personal hostility to
Prouty for what he has done and what
he promises to do il elected. prefer the
former?
1t strikes us that the Prouty literary
bureau has tried to make good deal out
of little for the sake OF boosting its can
didate. The railroads and corporations
do not control Vermont, and there is not
the slightest danger that they will. That
time has passed. Mr.. Prouty's election
is by no means essential to the states
freedom from domination OF that sort.
The railroads and other corporal ions will
always be seen and heard at Montpelier
when legislation affecting them comes up.
They have right to be. But from now
on, whoever is governor, there is quite as
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