Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1909-02-18

Continued from last week).
A. soBire Edwards had intimated ID
~ s,,ee,satIan With Jed Alden, there
~ garm times ahead in the old state.
~. ,.ca of he great Deep II the polit.
~ ssa might Be thus styled, was trou-
hl.4 And il is 10 such tugbid waters
~, those uhshers after men," the politi-
80. ssmi.politicians, workers and heel
:. delfgbt To cast their nets. Things
~. sbaping 90 for nearly the hottest
ssl,,icsl contest Vermont had ever seen.
e.ssl ambitions we're az stake. Lines set
iang wears aqone and carefully watched
h.tirss were 10 be hauled in, with what
-, N increment attached thereto. Men
4 oower and inhuenoe-and wealth =
vs,e 10 clash Interests Factions were
"a msssure strength In full knowledge
,bat success meant long supremacy, the
chance to dispense liberal patronage and
- s,lablish a political fabric OF perma-
osnee. failure, an exile from the fat fruits
Il lucrative public Office and a sad and
moarniul looking 10 from outer darkness
.bilo hated rivals reveled In plenty.
n was no wonder, therefore, that all
vss astir thus early In the opposing
ssmps. that candidates we're agog with
excitement that careful plans we're be-
iur laid to produce desired results; that
he mails we're burdened with personal
md confidential letters photographed BY
srpert typswFiters aud submitted for
signature only, that retainers were fit
ting from place TO place comforting with
the local bosses and laying out the work
70 Do done. that spies were watching the
snsmy's camp aud reporting constantly
10 short, that every nerve was being
strained 10 achieve success.
Success in the gubernatofial canvass
vas taken to mean the capture Of the Re-
publican nomination ior that Office, since
for time ont o. mind this had been equiv
alsnt to election To win this prize the
Hon. Prentss Granger, late president. OF
The Overstale railroad, had set his mind
and bis heart shelved from an active
business career By railroad manipulationa
IN which his interests had been outvoted
By the opposition. be was left high and
Dry. som " lai I1s, the middle age, but
still active and vigorous, with nothing to
DO. nature like bis could not rust out.
he very na llllly Rray itated into public
lie, and when Il WAS suggested to him
By friends that be ought TO run for gov.
eruor, be responded eagerly, "Why, yes,
lwiltn In fact, be had thought OF II
himself before. The governorship would
not only sootho his wounded pride aud
fhabilitate him IN personal strength and
popular favor but might enable him q
pot bis foot on the neck Of certain enc
mies-always a source Of keen enjoyment
70 The Hon. pfentiss Granger. He had
10 particular state policies 20 advocate.
His ambition was sufficient platform, In
Bis own sight. he wanted 70 be govern.
o. Tor The reasons outlined, and be wa
prepared 10 make the fight. He bad I'd,
sinoss OF var ia abundance aud the dis
position TO use them freely. His long
business career had brought him = wide
lequaulaneeship throughout the state
Everybody IN Vermont knew prentis.
ufangef. eithe- personally or BY roputa
ton, and he was no novice Ia the field o.
politics, having frequently handled thu
hidden wires that proved effective In be
hali OF others, 10 the end that the Over
state might have friends, instead OF enc
At1af III CONTROL OF HtAtHEfaIts
But u the Hon. Prentigs Granger has
friends, be bad enemies also. Some o
These we're men whom be bad beaten II
TIER own ASPIRATIONS These had cut
notch against him IN their rocord-stick
ana only waited a chance 70 square &C
counts, Others were those who distrustes
hlm Tor bis known selfshness and shift
mess slill others read aright his mo
wee ~ seeking the gOvernorship, and
holding them unworthy, looked for an
other leader.
Il was Inevitable that someone els
would enter the field, and shortly ate
rtsntlss Granger had formally announce,
himself candidate, having sent for q re
porter Of the Burton Daily Citizen an,
,aomitted to an interview Of that import
Moulin Spencer OF Westmont also becaml
candidate. championed By the Capita
evening Call, which hailed him a. I'll
EOpiss tribune, the foe OF special inter
~ and the advocate Of iong-needed RI
.otms In state policies. Spencer. eompar
,su1sly new 10 the political field, was
A9!et OF growing practice, who ha
a.le speciality 10 his profession Of suit
salaal corporations. His power before
.uy /" an advocate Of the oppressed pr
wv citizen struggling to secure hi
.sun against the combinations OF capitr
~ won many q iat verdict for hi
..sn.s' 10 which he had shared 70 hi
~ ~ afge profit. 30 that from oomparr
WV poverty he had risen to state q
Sa auence' OF pleasing presence and am
~ manner Spencer had gained q wild
uge OF warm friends and admirerl
single term In the state legislature ha
Nv nlm considerable political prestig,
~ ~ y had served with signal ability
n Ae.' had been recognized ere the SCI
ny XVI elosed az the floor leader Of q powe
,sa, iolofm movement aimed at the col
,6s y certain public and prival
w. Of long standing.
WIN Granger and Spencer in the feel,
~, ,as issue WA fairly Joined. The ex-rai
-l mag nats bad with him all the ON,