The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1914-09-28
WHAT STEMMED THE
TIDE FOR C. A. PROUTY
Interesting Comment Upon the Out
come of the Democratic State Con-
vention-Adroit Work


1t is a pity that the doings of the |
Democratic state convention here last |
week could not be printed in full to
the establishment, perhaps, as well as
to the edifcation of .he rank and file |
of the party, and all others who are
the least interested in the reiuvena-
ton and publication of Vermont poll
ties, says the Burlington correspond
ent of the Springfield Republican
The inside facts of a subtle purpose
on the part of corporate influences to
scuttle the Prouty sentiment, so pro
James E. Burke Of West Rutland
finished his admirable nominating
speech, would afford food for solid
reflection even among those dyed
in-the-wool'' Democrats who were al
most persuaded that 1.-THE very ebst
thing after all is said and done - was
to elect Prouty. 1t was said, no doubt
with much truth, that the national adj
ministration had signindfi its approval
of Prouty and this might possibly have
changed the result had letters from
some of tie high Officials confirming
was distinctiveIy and enthusiastically
a meeting of Wilson sympathiZers and
generally represented in its delegates
the very highest character and intel
ligence of Vermont's Democracy.
The delegates at first seemed ready
to eagerly accept Mr.. Burke s sugges-
ton that Prouty' s nomination would
meet with hearty approval at Wash
ington, but just as he had finished
speaking and the convention was
| seemingly impatient to vote, there was
a sudden scurrying among a number
of corporation attorneys and others in
sympathy for lightning conference.
| One of the number even dropped his
minutes as secretary and was soon
| standing in the midst of the delegates
with rather a weak speech calculated
| to appeal to the most partisan spirit,
| and thus to stem the Prouty tide until
more powerful guns could be brought
| to the rescue. which was done with
accustomed CELEBRITY. If the logic of
| these . affiliated interests was faulty
| their partisanship certainly more than
made up for it and the "hunkers'
| could not quite endure the thought of
| indOrsing even a Progressive of the
| caliber of Commissioner PrOuty when
+ "real' Democrat like Charles D..
Watson was so empha+ically presented
| by the interests. To one on the out
| side the maneuvering was intensely in
! teresting, proving, as it did, the read
| mess with which Vermont conventions
are manipulated and good platforms
| ignored and ruthlesslv destroyed by
| influences whose methods are usually
inimical to public interest.
There were, of course. other mat
tiers of Importance before the conven-
| ton but the Prouty issue really dom
| mated Proutv had already been
named for United States senator by
the Progressives in convention, which
declared that all possible vacancies on
the ticket should be filed by Progress
| sives. This resolution was repeatedly
y referred TO by the stand-pat advocates
who pointed out the Indifference OF
: the go-it-alone party to fuse.
: There is no question, judging from
the enthusiasm for Prouty, that he
would have been made the choice OF
the convention had the test come in
the morning session, but at the psy
. Geological moment Mayor Burke Oh
: this city was adroitlv thrown off his
guard by a request from an anti
! EFOuIN delegate TO move ADJOURN
I ment for dinner thus giving further
: opportunity for the Interests" t.
better organize for the second SEES
5 sion.
Some good speeches were made il
{ support of Prouty's nomination afte1
recess, Mayor Burke s plea for can
8 idate of national reputation anC
: strength being among the best, as wa
= that of Rollin S. Chllds of Windhan
T. county forcefully pointing out tn,
/. results in other states where fusioi
had prevailed. The vote, 204 to 20t
: in favor of Watson, was a close one
all things considered and notwith
standing it defeated a sensible pur
, pose to indorse Proutv, it left a deep
: rooted intention on the part of a yer,
:. large number of Democrats to sup
|. port the Progressive candidate
!. "whether or no. Be that as it may
7 Prouty, if he stands, will get stroni
o backing from all parties, and this ma,
s prove away and beyond the ability 0
Ex-senator Dillinpham to withstand