Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1909-09-02
MEAD AND HIS BARREL LEAD.

Several OF the state newspapers have
lately expressed the opinion that DR..
John A. Mead OF Rutland, present lieu
tenant-governor, is at the present stage
far in the lead for the governorship.
Some go on to say his lead is so pro-
nounced that no rival can now overtake
him.
The situation seems to be that DR..
Mead is the only open and avowed can
didAte for the office who is doing any
active work. OF the thirteen or so who
have been intermittentIy mentioned, not 4
over seven have seriously considered il l
themselves and OF these local conditions
are such that none except DIR. Mead has
been free to avow his candidacy and
hustle for the place.
Lamoille county is understood to con-
tain three ambitious ones who would like /
/ to annex the title Charles II. Stearns OF
johnson, a former Acknowledgements
Thomas c. Cheney of Morristown, speak
er OF the present House, and Frederick @. /
wood of the same town, former sec
rotary OF state. Each feels that he ought
to be LAmoille's sole and only candidate,
and neither will step aside for the other.
Such situation spells utter hopelessness
for all and yet each appears willing to let
it go that way and bide his time rather
than promote a rivals present chance
by retiring. This condition removes three
candidates at one swoop.
In franklin county, olin Merrill OF
Enosburg has been freely talked but as
yet be has given no positive assurance
that be will enter the race. His health is
not robust and be probably breads the
kind of 3 contest that appears in prospect.
His most bitter opposition would come
from his own county, and such opposition
always handicaps and discourages a can
didste.
Hon. Charles w. Gates of franklin in
the same county has no strong ambition
to be governor, unless il should come to
) him in an easy and honorable way. de
much prefers to serve the state in the
capacity of highway commissioner,
where he has done splendid work that
shows. He hasn't the means to finance
costly canvass such as this one would
probably be, either, and doesn't consider
the game worth the powder to one in his
circumstances. There has been more
spontaneous response in Gates behalf
than any OF the others. He is clean.
y ] 49,
! vermonter, of kindly nature and pleasing
presence, who would make mighty good
= governor. II anything should happen to
keep Oiin Merrill out Of the field, and IL
: the coast were cleared before the field is
: pre-empted, Charley Gates would find q
Il whole lot of fellows ready to set their
O shoulders to the wheel without hope OF
e per diem, expenses or reward, il he would
n just say the word.
d c. p. Smith OF the Burlington Savings
,e bank-it seems quite natural to refer to
It him in this way-would really like to b
!. governor, but limitations tc that effect
l. thrown out at odd intervals by the Free
If Press, have apparently fallen on barren
lie soil. Mr.. Smith is an estimable gentle
Is man OF keen financial ability, but with
It about the same vote drawing power 81
q our friend, Frank Fish, of vergennes
" He is, in fact, quite out OF the running
II and doubtless appreciates it himself.
As Addison and Bennington countie
lie have nobody OF strength liable to enter
m so there is left only DIR. Mead of Rut
land to consider. The Doctor has beef
candidate for governor ever since hi
10 reached up and plucked second place las
IL year. He is Rutland county's only can
ne didate. He has money. He understand
"e how to use it in promoting himself. H
on the turf quite spell. He knows
II lot of people all over the state. He is
us Grand Army man, "Hello, BILL" an
- has lately Joined the Grange. He is tn
ne states creditor to the tune Of sac, 900 re
~ Gently loaned the treasury to tide owe
~ the deficit in the department OF justice.
." The Doctor is one OF the most affabl
OF men, even il his smile is a trih
'A' brassy. II you want favor or tennel
'e' don't hesitate to approach the Doctor
= You will get it. Later, you will get
reminder from him. and FIRST you kno'
you will conclude that Mead spell
governor. DIR. Mead employs about fou
hundred legal voters at his scale works
ny who understand that they are to vote {
the Doctor says. More than once he hs
,ey voted them in body, and Rutland cit
ng politics must always take them into il
he reckoning. Sometimes Mead has pulle
ny with Proctor, sometimes with Clemen
We sometimes against both. He owes neiths
he any undischarged obligations. In b
fly present aspiration it appears that Proctc