The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1914-03-04
VERMONT A STORM CENTER
Washington Sees All Kinds 0
Politics In This State

For one of the two states which
voted for President Taft and the re
publican ticket, and small state a
that, Vermont is somewhat the cent
er of political interest at Washington
just now. There have been beer
more patronage squabbles to The
square inch in Vermont ever since
March las than in any other state
of the Union Some of the big one:
are right to the fore. II happens
that in the Green Mountain state are
two of the best customs plums in al
the land. The collector of customs al
Burlington used to draw from the goy
eminent about $4,000 a year in sal
airy and the collector of customs al
Newport got only little less. After
New York and Boston, which are the
two largest customs ports in the coun
try. come these Vermont places, al
though under the reorganization OF
the customs service some months ago
the salaries are not as fat as once
was. Nevertheless, these positions
are worth about $4,000 year each
now, which in small cities like Bur
lington and Newport, are more lucra-
tive than even the $4,000 salary for
the collector of Boston, when the sal
airy is measured by what 1t will buy
in the respective localities.
washington has had an idea there
were none but republicans in Yer
mont but these patronage scrambles
have convinced administration offici
ais that the Vermont woods are full
Of democrats The candidates and
their supporters have come right
down to Washington and camped ON
official doorsteps awaiting the day
and the hour when President Wilson
sends the papers TO the Senate.
Mayor j. f. Burke of Burlington
who has six times held that Office
has been the most picturesque dem
ccrat of them all. There is Washing
ton interest in Vermont democrat
an erstwhile blacksmith, who could
maintain political control over the
chief city of the Green Mountain
state so long. Burke wants the good
Office OF customs collector at Burling
ton, and as a progressive democrat
out for big office, has as a running
mate G. H. Pape OF Barre who is re
garded as the progressive democratic
aspirant for the collectorship at New
port. headquarters of the Memphre
magog district Great quantities o
imports from western Canada come
in over the railroads which LEAD
across the border and down into Yer
mont tom" Browne the democra
tic national committee man from We
mont, and leader of faction whose
opponents cay he is a great trouble
maker in Vermont politics, has beer
figuring in these colectorship con
tests, 10 say nothing OF, the high ole
wrangles the Vermonters are con
stantly bringing to Washington owe
the filing of postofiices with demo
Gratis good and true.
While democratic politicians from
Vermont travel much Washington
ward. behold also republican emissar
les. Democrats have no chance e
win tho United States senatorship to
ga, which William p. Dillingham; now
wears. The republicans are certain
OF It. but Judging from the numerous
messages flying back and forth be
tween Vermont and Washington
hese days, there is uncertainty what
will have 1t.
Senator Dillingham; himself is
something of national figure; ditto
Charles A. Prouty, long a member of
the interstate commerce commission
and now in charge of the stupendous
task of obtaining the physical yalua
ion of all railroads In the United
States which can be regarded as in
-erstate lines. Judge Prouty wrote
4 letter weeks ago, stating that his
health would not permit him to run
for the United States Senate, which
was supposed to leave a clear field
fer Senator Dillingham;. But no
There is Vermont contingent that
wants Mr. Prouty in the running and
he has shown willingness to yield
Only a few days ago Vermonters in.
terested in the matter sent trusted
one 10 Washington to talk with Mr..
Prouty about It.
.,T u-iil rot pnaLa a camnaipn
said he, but il the people in Vermont
want to vote for me in the primaries
for the nomination of a senator !
can't prevent them from doing it.
That is taken TO mean there will be
votes for Mr.. Prouty and that to all
intents and purposes, he will be a
candidate. If he wins the nominal
ton. which will be equivalent to an
election, he will be glad. If he does
not win. Mr.. Prouty will not feel he
has cause TO grieve. With this de
volopment Senator Dillingham; is stiff
fleming his campaign and word is go
ing forth to his friends in all parts
OF the state.
AS a matter Of fact what is hap
pening in Vermont as to its senator
ship is happening in many other
states right now. The biggest and
most interesting campaign for the
election OF one-third Of a United
States Senate is in reality in full
swing. Il will grow in intensity as
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