The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1914-09-17
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shows many interesting results, and
some of them may be surprising FOR
some of the delegates, If not for the
candidates.
In the first place, it is to be noted
that Mr. Fleetwood is the only candi-
date who had the solid support of
his county throughout or at any time
even. Lieutenant Governor Howe was
the only candidate not receiving the
united vote of his county whose
strength in his own county was the
same on the second ballot as on the
| first.
One of the most interesting discov-
cries in this connection is that the
counties on the west side having can
didates or possible governor candi-
date of their own in no less than FIVE
of the seven counties, the counties on
the east side stepped in and exercised
the balance of power on the first bal
lot. For instance, Washington county
gave Gates 30 votes on the first bal
lot, Caledonia Ia, Orange 10, Orleans
IL, Windham Ia, and Windsor 10, or
total of SO out of his to.a' 81.
Gates was the second choice Of so
many delegates that when they saw
no chance for their own coun1y's can
didate, they went to him in sufficient
number on the second ballot to en-
sure him six more votes than the
number necessary to nomicate.
In view of the fact that Mr. Powell
entered the contest only at the las,
moment, while his name had ret bee.
prominently considered previously as
had those of Mr.. Gates as well as the
other active candidates, he made a
creditable showing other counties, as
well as his own, especially in Windsor,
Addison, and Orleans.
On the other hand, the strength
gained by both Mr.. Fleetwood and Mr..
Howe without an active canvass show
ed the strength that they have
throughout the State, which is sure to
make itself felt in various ways later
on
Some things which never appear in
reports Of convention proceedings,
much less in voting tables, are among
the most interesting developments.
One incident throwing light upon Mr..
Gates's backbone is worth reciting in
this connection. About midnight pre-
ceding the convention the "allies,"
having discovered they could tell
nothing about their own strength with
the delegates so long as Mr.. Gates
was in the field, determined to send
delegation to call upon him at Water
bury, where he was staying, and de-
mand that he either say he was a real
candidates or else would not accept
the nomination.
Accordingly representative of
eahc of the "allies" donned raincoats
and suit cases, and mounting an auto,
sped to Waterbury, where they arriv
ed at about 2:30 in the morning, ready
to flag" Mr.. Gates as soon as he
appeared at the breakfast table. Fol-
lowing the morning meal the hanking
party proceeded with Mr.. Gates to his
room, where reinforcements later APP
peared in the person Of Ex-Governor
Mead and party, to insist that Mr..
Gates should put away the prize they
realized was well within his grasp.
The Republican candidate for gov
ernor took the position that he had
stated his attitude to the
voters Of Vermont through the press
and that he could not consistently
change that attitude 1t must have
required some degree of backbone to
withstand this onslaught, but Mr..
Gates stood by his colors, and il is
probably safe to say he will be found
equally determined that the interests
Of the people shall be promoted so far
as he can see the light.
We are informed by Mr.. Barber of
Bratletboro, the candidate for attor-
general, that his platform con-
tains well considered planks. He
holds first and foremost that lawyer
can not serve two masters, common
wealth and a public corporation. In
the second place, he stands for the
greatest possible degree Of economy
consistent with the promotion Of JUS
tice, and he will insist that the State
shall not pay for the preparation Of
cases by detectives which should be
worked up otherwise. Like Mr. Gates, |
Mr.. Barber has backbone Of his own,
and we believe the Office Of attorney
general is about to be placed on
basis that will appeal to the people.