Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1908-07-03
PLUMLEY WAS CHOSEN
Defeated Haskins for Congress-
ionaI Nomination 2l7 to 1853
Hasklns's Vote Was Small Except In
Wlndham and Windsor counties-con-
venton Scenes at St. Johnsbury.
st. Johnsbury, June 80.

theirs.
Plumey 217, Haskins 1859.
These figures tell the outcome of the
Republican convention of the Second Con-
gressional district of Vermont today, when
Col. Kittredge Haskins of Brattleboro
four times elected to Congress, was re-
fused a nomination to the 61st Congress-
the victory going to Hon. Frank Plumley
of Northheld.
1t was evident before the convention
opened that the tide was running strong
toward Plumey. The red Plumley
badges, pinned to delegates, and to
friends of the Mortified man of both
sexes, met the eye on every side. The
Plumley men were aggressive and conf
dent, secure in the feeling that it was all
over but counting the votes. Col Has
kins's final vote was considerably smaller
than the positive assurances of support
which he had received would indicate, for
the reason that there were some delegates
who, while protesting friendship, were
ready to jump on the band wagon when
they saw it going past. Windham county
stood by the Colonel with every one of
its 62 delegates present. Windsor county,
which always pulls heartily with Wind
ham, showed up strongly with 81 dele
gates. The Colonels support from the
other counties was scattering, being about
as follows: Orange 6, orleans Is, Essex
4, Caledonia 20. Washington was soidly
behind its home candidate with 65 dele
gates Essex was reported as solid also
for Plumley, but such was not actually
the case, Orange county had an un-
broken Plumley phalanX aside from six
delegates from four towns, and Gale
donia and Orleans counties each gave
Haskins only meagre support.
The quarters of the two candidates were
established on opposite sides of the hall
at the st. JOhnsbury House. and here each
received the congratulations of many
A pf res
arrived in st. Johnsbury early Monday
evening, but the pre- convention scenes
were on the whole mild and devoid of in
terest.
The convention was called to order in
Music hall at this afternoon. The
three larger counties were assigned front
seats, Windsor in the centre and Wind
ham and Washington on the sides. The
gallery was filled with spectators, includ-
ing many women. The enrolment showed
every one OF the 37S delegates entitled
to seats present. Gen. j. II. Lucia of
Montpelier, chairman of the district COM
mittee, raped to order; DR.. C. II. Gorham
of Bellows Falls secretary of the COM
mittee, read the call; Rev. j. NJ. Frost Of
St Johnsbury offered prayer. The read
ing of the roll was dispensed with on
motion of j. E. Pollard of Chester. Gen.
Lucia aroused the first laughter in the
convention by referring to the speaker as
the gentleman from PollarR' instead of
from Chester. Ex-Gov. WhN. Stickney
was given the glad hand WI he appear
ed on the stage as chairma accordance
with Gen. Lucia's announ 4ment. c. Il.
Walter of st. Johnsbury F. E. Miles
of Newport were named secretaries.
GOV Stickney, after thehking the con-
vention for the honor Anferred on him,
spoke briefly of Republican accomplish
ments. He commended the work of the
Republican national convention. The Re-
ma ri VIZ n a horn
conscience and nourished in the love of
liberty for ali mankind. His reference to
William H. Taft as sane, safe and sensi-
BILE was the signal for hearty applause
After the temporary organization had
been made permanent on motion of E. w.
Smith of Wells River Col. II. E. Parker
of Bradford moved that the chair appoint
a committee on resolutions, consisting of
one delegate from each county. Gov.
Stickney named Mr.. Parker as chairman
and u. H. Allbee of Bellows Falls as the
Windham county member.
On proceeding to the nomination of can
didates Attorney General Clarke c. Fits
of Bratteboro was recognized. He en-
phasized the Importance of the conven-
ton, and said there never was a time
when the interests of the Second Con-
gressional district demanded the best
more than at present, as the coming re-
vision of the tariff is of vital importance
to every farmer, every business man and
every manufacturer in the district. He
spoke of Col. Haskins as the man who
would best know how to safeguard the
interests of the district and brought out
the point that our present representative
is in the foremost rank in Congress. He
spoke of Col. Haskins as fearless and
courageous, but as one who had supported
the policies and works of the President
because they are right; a mature man.
but in the prime of physical and mental
thnuphf a
cord entitled him to receive from his dis
trict the commentator "WeIl done good
and faithful servant" He referred to
Col. Haskins as probably the last old
soldier the district will ever honor by
election to Congress- and closed with an
appeal to every Republican in behalf OF
what is best for the district. Applause
continued for several minutes at the close
of Mr.. Fittss speech.
John w. Gordon of Barre accorded Col
Haskins praise. The district should say
to the Colonel you have done well and
we thank you for your service" but nc
one can say 81 am the only man." He
spoke of the provision of the fathers fol
frequent elections, the precedent of only
two terms for a President, and said I'll
eight years is sufficient for Theodore
Roosevelt what will you say about g
Congressman from Vermont" He quoted
the declaration mo office holder ever
resigns and few ever die" In the new
administration he thought an old con-
gresham would have but little advantage
over new one. He reviewed Mr.. Plum
ley's record in public affairs, and declared
that we wanted a congressman who would
make a record seldom equalled and never
excelled Great applause, long continued
followed when Mr.. Gordon closed witt
II nominate the Hon. Frank Plumley o.
Mortified"
The speeches by Mr.. Fits and Mr.
Gordon were very effective efforts, bu
there was nothing remarkable II
quality Of the seconding speeches which
followed, and two or three were
laborious. The patrlarchal clergyman
from Peachman wanted new blood, anC
spoke of Taft, Prouty and Plumley. Mr.
Evarts of Windsor had some refractory
store porcelains which tried PERSISTENT!
to get away from his upper jaw, and hi
struggle kept the audience tittering
on behalf of Mr.. Plumley Mr.. Parsons
spoke for Essex county, e. w. Smith o
Wells River for Orange county, Rev. p
N. Granger of Peacham for Caledonia
county, H. II. Blanchard Of Springfield
for Windsor county. The sponsors TO
Col, Hasxins were Hugh Henry OF Cheste
and Sherman Evarts of Windsor from
Windsor county, Mr., Tyson of Straffor'
for Orange county and c. A. Calderwoo'
of ST. Johnsbury for Caledonia county.
o. s. Annis Of North Troy, a membe
of the district committee, from his posi-
ton on the stage, announced that Orlean
county had delegates favOring both can
didates and that therefore 1t had beef
decided to have no seconding speeche
from Orleans. This was such a palpabl
case OF trimming that 1t aroused genera