News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1914-03-11
LAMOILLE'S STRAW VOTE
From the St. Adams Messenger

| From the st. Adams M Messenger
Lamoille county INDUCED itself il
another straw vote Tuesday of last week
the aim this time being to determine 81
far as possible the sentiment on the sen
atorial and governorship question. Th'
result is interesting, even if its value il
not above question, for it gives some in
dication of Spunky Lamoille's feelings
at the present time, although subject tt
change as the days go by and politica
matters begin to shape themselves more
definitely.
AS regards the senatorship. William P
| Dillingham;, the present incumbent
| whose term expires next year, finished
| ahead with 3b3 ballots Charles A
| Prouty, who is not candidate. bat
whose name has been pushed into the
| foreground by his friends, was good
second with 3l3 Governor Fletcher
who is generally understood to have sen
atorial aspirations, but who has not yet
declared himself, ran poor third with
only SO to his credit.
It must be admitted that one would be
guilty of building on political quick
sands were one to construct any elabo-
rate prediction of future happenings on
this straw vote, still the resuly, is found
to be much discussed in many quarters
and it might be interesting ii not in
structive to attempt at least a superficial
Interpretation of the figures
In the first place, it must be remem-
bered that Lamoille has long prIded H.
self on being prOgre ssive III the proper
sense of the word. With the fact borne
in mind the vote cast tor Mr.. Dilling-
ham might Indicate that the present
senator is not considered so IeaCtionary
as to have lost MS place III tie estima
ton of a progressive community. 1t
appears on the surface that the ssna,ur
cannot be eliminated by the mere say 50
of some, but rather is a force which
must be well reckoned with by auyo. e
who would disloGge him. This state 1T
affairs is not Surprising to those who
have impartially surveyed the field.
The vote for Mr.. Prouty is in eve'y
sense remarkable for it comes in the very
face of his statement that he is not and
will not be, directly or indirectly, can
didate for the Senate. One would hardly
expect that men would vote for man
who had made such statement, and
that they have done so is compliment
of the highest worth and also token
to other candidates that they should be
thankful the former interstate CON-
merce commissioner is not disturbed by
the buzzngs of the political bee.
That Governor Fletcher received such
scant consideration is not surprising.
In the first place, he is not an avowed
candidate, which may of had some deter
rent effect. However, in view of Mr..
Prouty receiving the recognition he did
just after his declaration that his hat
was not in the ring, such an objection is
robbed of its force. They voted for
Prouty when they knew he was not
they did not vote for Fletcher
when they felt that he was That is the |
difference and it may or may not be
probably 10 is.
If no Democrat was voted for on the
senatorial side, the same thing cannot
be said on the governorsbip, for Harlan |
B. Howe, of St Johnsbury, came sec
)r with 1877 Mr.. Howe was the stand
ard bearer last year and ran WELL bet
jer, probably, than he would have had
& not been for the peculiar political
conditions then existing. Mr.. Howe
has again announced himself as can
iidate for the Democratic nomination,
md it was only natural that those who
lad Democratic leanings should have
Used his name
Frederick CT. Fleetwood, of Morris
lille, stood big first with ZIG. This is
lot unnatural. Mr. Fleetwood is son
II Spunky Lamoille, and the sense of
oyalty in all Vermont counties is strong
almost to the extent of being passion.
borrower, Fleetwood might well be ex.
'ected to make an appeal on other than
rounds of county pride. He is looked
Ipon as being a for ward looking man,
nd by some it is held that the Progress.
ives claim him for their very own In
eed, Fleetwood for governor is a prop
sltlon that is engaging the attention
! the Progressive leaders today. But,
fter all, TO local pride can be given the
redit for his big lead over the others
10 the Messenger there is something
cry significant in the fact that {. w.
iates. of Franklin, polled SO votes. In
ne nrst place, he is the only out and
ut Republican who was considered.
nat Is, he is the only Republican, if
fleetwood is conceded to the Progress
YES. No mention is made Of Secretary
State Bailey or of Lieutenant Gov
NOR Howe, both of whom generally
1me in for consideration when the
is being discussed. Gates
one of the Republicans appeals to
smoille, it would seem.
In view of the fact that one would
aturally expect Lamoille to favor its
Ivorite son, and in connection with
le elimination of other Republicans !,
he friends of Mr.. Gates may find ms
fication in further appeals to the state
lghwsy commissioner TO enter the lists
nd battle for the gOvernorship. They
ay argue TO themselves that this man
IS met all corners on neutral ground
I'd has carried off the prize. Truly
e result must be an indication Of the II
rength Of Mr.. Gates even if il is not a
On Of the weakness OF the other Re
lblican possibilities.
But the Damoille straw vote must
It be taken too seriously. Il NAV be :
q Wav the wind il blort-iuer 49, =. ~. / z