Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1908-07-09

pens in such cases many supporters OF
Judge stanton came TO feel that he
had a good fighting chance to win, but
there were others who felt he could
not win but who hoped to gain some
thing from keeping UP the fight.
On tho evening before the conven-
ton q new factor entered into the
situation as . result of developments
at st. Johnsbury in connection with
the congressional contest. Soma OF
the frttt,ds Of Congressman 'Hnskins
in Windham county, who had come
out for Prouty for the Eovernorship,
felt that orleans county. the latter's
home county. did not give Mr.. Has
kins as many votes as It should, and
the result was marked slump in the
Prouty vote.
Leaving out OF consideration this
factor canvass made independ-
candidates at midnight before the con-
vention would have shown majority
OF SO votes for Prouty. Careful in
quiry, however, indicated a reduction
OF twenty votes in Prouty's delegation
In Windham county owing to the con-
gressional tight, which added to stan
TONS column, reduced Prouty's ap-
parent majority ut that time to ~.
1t is usually safe TO figure that where
vided one will gain about as many
votes from the opposition as the other
throughout the fourteen counties IN
the State as n whole, and the close
ness of this canvass is indicated by
tho fact that while there were minor
changes on both sides, as in Chitten-
den county. where Prouty's vote was
placed at 81 and the actual vote was
| ~, Prouty's actual majority in tho
S'a'o was 6s. or only ten more than
tho canvass Of tho previous night In
dicated In total vote of 7s4.
"'i''S OF the situation In the second
congressional convention had reached ali
parts OF the State the day before tho
Stnte convention and the defec,,on IN
f0utys support in Windhaw county
naturally gave many of Judge Stanton.s
supporters renewed hope. and rumors of
trades and tho alluring homes of holm
by way OF reciprocity often held out by
the supporters of candidates for d fterent
offices really led the Stanton people to
look for his victory the following morn.
Ing. Each candidate had practically nil
his delegates from all counties in the
State ON the roll. and the fight was to
a finish.
Right here come in soms OF the
features which never appear in the con-
vention proceedings, such as the. struggle
to win delegates from the opposition by
arguments. threats OF loss OF office, and
vivid picture OF future political damna-
ton: the hurrying Of messages to dele
gates who have not appeared as ex.
pected; the placing OF trusted watchers
near wavering or weak brothers, who
must not be lost to view; the early
morning hunt for possible adverse com.
binations Matched during tho night and
the consequent loss Of support In sup
posed strongholds. and n hundred and one
other experiences which go to make VI
the invariably wearing but always
fascinating might before the convention.
This night at Montpelier was no excep
ton to the rule. and, always happens
both sides awoke to find that each hac
lost IN some counties unexpectedly anc
gained in others in a similar way. Under
these considerations the most careful
figures suffered the least disappointment
and down in their hearts mos
politicians know the night before hov
; natural consequence the "I-told-you
$685. were in evidence after the battl
of the ballots last week as usual and a
will be the case so long as political con
ventions last.
When the governorship had been settle
and the non-oontesed places on the Stat
ticket filled. determined effort was mad
, 10 take a recess. Tho supporters OF d.
Mead suspected there might he a desir
to take advantage OF the opportunity
recess would afford to fix up a combina
ton against him. and as he was alread
embarrassed by the candidacy OF NJ
Farnsworth of his county for the OHIO
OF secretary OF state. his supporter
naturally objected to opening the way &c
further handbags. while the delegate
as a whole were anxious to dispose c
the only two remaining contests and Z
home. It was decided TO hold a "soli
session. and this In reality ended tn
political tockeying.
- In this connection It should be state
that Judge Barnes OF Addison county r,
r jected different proposals OF combina Ito
q made by some OF his own friends. sayin
d that he had been in the Legislature wit
q Mr.. Prouty and would stand by hi
r without reference 10 the effect whic
d that course might have on his chance
Il He did not win. but he has no reason
d be ashamed OF the handsome showing
ia made. particularly in view OF the IA