Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1909-02-25

cleanliness with the passing weeks. No
body had time now to sweep or dust. or
to vacate while it was being done, and
the cuspidors remained in service until
they leaked over the rim, when "sandy''
would be summoned to attend the most
pressing cases. The young fellows
about town had found Headquarters a
convenient SPOT to gather and smoke-at
Prentiss Changers expense-and num-
bers of them whiled away idle hours
there.
Armstrong, chief OF the literary
bureau, himself formerly an editor,
busted himself in preparing broadsides Of
eulogistic matter relating to the Hon.
Prentiss Granger, setting forth the dire
need Of the state for the services of such
a man in the gubernstorial seat; also
other broadsides assailing the record and
the position OF Rollin Spencer, proving
cOnclusively his absolute untitness for
this high office. These articles, couched
in vigorous phrases, were given to the
I typewriters and then photographed. after
which they were mailed to the several
daily and weekly newspapers on the
Granger list with instructions to use GER
tain portions without fail, and as much
more as space would permit, ''as per un-
derstanding."
Long before Armstrong; advent al
headquarters, he had made a circuit of
the state, sounding the various editors in
Prentiss Changers behalf. His trip had
been phenomenally successful. He had
closed with large majority Of the
newspapers on basis that assured
Granger their active support on the usual
terms. In few cases he had found the
1 publishers inclined the other way or non
committal, and where he could not bring
them over by his attractive arguments be
left them with positive prediction OF sue
cess tor his chief and regret that they did
not see fit to join the procession.
be met With one real disappointment,
however, that caused him considera BILE
uneasiness. lie found the editor of the
Pittston Star absent from home and nc
one in charge authorized to speak for the
paper in such matter. Armstrong de-
sired particularly to enlist the support OF
this paper, because it had large circula-
tion in field that babe fair to be hot
fighting ground, and also because OF the
papers recognized influence, even be-
yond its own territory.
Other matters came up and Armstrong
had been unable to repeat his visit to
Pittston or reach Editor Miner through
anybody else. The Star, while referring
occasionally to the imminent battle. had
as yet declared for neither candidate.
Armstrong judged that the time was now
ripe to take up the matter with Mr. Mi
ner, and concluded to write him. The
next day the Star editor received the fol-
lowing letter.
Granger Headquarters, Lotus, VT, May s.
(paraonaI and cDn6dantsa1
Mr.. G. X. Miner,
Pittston, VT.
My Dear SIR
On recent visit to your place, made
expressly for the purpose of seeing you
and having talk with you regarding the
political situation, was extremely disap-
pointed to find you absent. II was inn
possible for me to await your return and
decided to run down again later, but so
many things have interviewed that have
been absolutely unable to do so. would
much prefer to sit down with you in your
pleasant Office and talk matters over
while burning some good cigars than to
entrust my GRAND to the matt, but as
matters stand / must rely on the latter,
assured that your ripe Judgment will
quickly pass favorably on the subject /
am about to present.
l am commissioned by the Hon. Prem
tiss Granger and his campaign manager,
Philetas Annis, to solicit your editorial
and personal support in behalf OF Mr..
Changers canvass for the governorship
have taken pleasure in truthfully repre-
senting to them that there is no newspa-
per in Vermont OF better standing and
influence than yours, il, indeed, there Is
one that equals it. For many years /
have watched your course, Brother Mi
ner, and it seems TO me to have been care
full, conservative and consistent. You
are forcibly independent, but not dema-
gogic. Your readers, in fact. the whole
state, have come to look to your columns
for wise instruction and guidance There
is need in this critical political juncture
for sane words spoken as you are in the
habit OF speaking them. The party and
the state must not he thrown over to the
control of an irresponsible fanatic and
his rabble following. You will pardon
these strong expressions, but they clearly
convey my views.
We who are near to the Hon. Prentiss
Granger and have known him long and
well feel that he deserves the support Of
every true Republican. / will not argue
his case to you-you know the situation
- well - l. Mual We 10 earnestly de-
sire is that Editor Miner and the Pittston
Star will come cordially and earnestly to
his assistance. There is no doubt OF the
flnal outeome-Mr. Granger will surely
win--and for one, as an old craftsman,
would enjoy having you with us as q
partner in the victory.
Having been q member OF the profess
sion, placed as you are, and knowing the
handicaps under which publishers labor,
1 am emboldened to suggest that while
we would like your support to be free
from all suspicion OF mercenary motive,
and while we know that any considera-
ton Of this kind would not weigh with
you q particle, We do not expect you to
devote the large space that we trust it
will be your pleasure to accord in behalf
of Mr.. Granger without adequate com.
pensation for the extra labor and expense
involved. Nor would we figure too fine
ly with you on this point. II you decide
to help Us and will give us such support
as you deem proper during the coming
few weeks up to convention time, we will
engage to take two thousand copies of
your paper each week for free distribu- l