St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1909-09-29
The GOvernOrShip.
Editorial Expressions of Several Vermont
PAPERS on the Subject,

The opportunity to discuss pros
pective candidates for the governorship
was taken full advantage of at this
years meeting of the. Fish and Game
league. No less than eight of those who
have been mentioned as possibilities
were at the outing, but it was evident
before its ending that but three of that
number would be in the running when
the actual canvass for delegates begins
next spring. Other candidates may
come into the race before that time, but
of those at Bluff Point these remain !:
Lieut-Gov. Mead, eX-Secretary OF State
F. 6. Fleetwood, and State Highway
Commissioner Chas. W. Gates.
How different newspaper men who
were there sized up the situation may be
learned from the appended expressions
of opinion: THE most surprising dis
closure of the day., however, was the
evidence OF strong sentiment in favor
of Mr.. Charles W. Gates. 1t is very evil
dent that Mr.. Gates-although not a
candidate-has manv friends in the State
who would like to see him elected gov
ernor and will be likely to eventually
| force him to be a candidate. We under
stand that Mr.. Gates is in no sense a
candidate and has steadily declined to
become such. The sentiment tor Mr.
| Gates seems to be spontaneous and OF
individual volition. 1t does not bear the
hallmark of organized politics, nor in
deed, the footprint of the politician. -
| Burlington News.
The St. Adams Messenger declares
| UOf cnrrca J;Aarept listeners n the
political gossip at the Vermont Fish and
Game league midsummer outing Will
vary somewhat in their estimate OF the
trend of public opinion as represented
there. But it would not be surprising if
the governorship might resolve itself
into the field against Lieut-Gov. John A.
Mead of Rutland. In the meantime,
with this in view as a possibility, there
appeared to be strong disposition to
favor either Charles W. Gates of Frank
lin or Frederick G. Fleetwood Of Morris
vile as the man to lead the field. There
was very marked showing of popular
favor for Gates, and Fleetwood had
| strong hackers as well.
The crowd appeared to be waiting, ="
says the Montpelier Argus "for someone
else, with an extremely friendly feeling
for Charles Gates, the Franklin county
road commissioner, who refused to have
his salary raised by the last Legislature
and says that the repairing OF political
fences is not on his bill OF fare Gates
may yet be dratted-by Proctor and
Merrill"
Sentiment for c. w. Gates is growing
as seen by the Montpelier Journal which
says: Out of the political discussion OF
the day, an opinion stands out clearly
that there has developed a strong and
steadily increasing sentiment in favor OF
the nomination OF Charles William Gates
of Franklin, at present state highway
commissioned. There is very friendly
feeling tor F. 6. Fleetwood of Morrisville
and he seems to be second in the run
ming, with Lieut,-Gov. John A. Mead
third. Apparently, DR.. Mead's candi-
dacy is weaker today than it was before
the meeting, and the tide seems to be
setting away from him and towards
Gates. While Merrill has made no
announcement, the belief is freely
expressed that he will not be candi-
date for governor.
In order not to Jeopardlze the guDer-
material chances of Lamoille county,
Speaker Thomas c. Cheney of Morris
vile announces that he will not this year
be candidate for governor Of Vermont.
Since the likelihood of Charles H.
Stearns OF Johnson entering the contest
is thought to be remote, it leaves
Frederick G. Fleetwood we'll fixed, SO far
as his home county is concerned Both
Messrs. Cheney and Stearns were men
toned quite frequently in connection
with the nomination, although neither
was an outspoken candidate. - The
Barre Times.