The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1915-08-21
The senatorship and State Issues.
burlington Free Press.)


We had supposed United States Sena-
tor Carroll $. Page would have a re-
election, if he wanted one, without seri-
Gus opposition. Judging from vague
hints thrown out by different contem-
poraries, however, there must be a
smoldering fire where there is sucn
persistent smoke. Following the init
nation of the Brattleboro Reformer
that there would be opposition to Sena-
tor Page, various nei2hbors have COM
mented on the situation in way to
indicate that they scent trouble for the
senator from Lamoille.
The Barre Times comments as follows:
'Stories are in the air of contemplated
opposition to Senator Page when he
seeks reelection next wear. The recent
aeroplane flights of Congressman Frank
L. Greene and Governor Gates should
suggest to the member from HYDE Park
an admirable method of ascertaining
whether CT not his fences need mend
ing -
The Rutland Herald discusses another
phase of the situation in the following
pointed paragraph: ''There is an ele-
ment of humor in that statement of the
Waterbury Record that Senator Carroll
). Page, once known as the figuring
wizard of Hyde Park knows lust
what to do and when to do it.. when
confronted by opposition. 1t seems
likely that the knowledge will be need
ed when the time comes. -
Peculiar significance is to be attached
to this utterance, in view of the fact
that the Hon. Percival w. Clement is
long known to have had an ambition
to 90 to Washington. Under these cir
cumstances a race for the senatorsbip
open to the field - would probably be
welcomed by the gentleman from Rut-
land, and he would not be one of the
taIl-enders either, although the we'll
known ambition of former Governor
Mead might be a handicap. if it meant
two candidates from the Marble city.
90 tar as Congressman Greene is con
cerned he IS known to be satisfied with
the progress he is making in the house.
as he has abundant reason to be. and
he would undoubtedly make no move
III the direction of a promotion to the
| senate unless Senator Page were to re
tire, and even In that event, we doubt
II he would be in a position to secure
greater honors fCr himself and for tho
state than are likely to come to him
III connection with his enviable position
on the house committee on military
| aIfalrs, which is sure to be one of the
biggest committees in the midst of the
wave of preparedness now sweepipp
the country.
Secretary of State Guy W. Bailey 8
name has been discussed in connection
with an understanding that he might
be candidate for the United States
senate under certain circumstances.
Former Gov. E. c. Smith is another
prominent Vermonter who would nat
urally be considered in connection
with any vacancy in the Vermont del
egatlon IN the upper branch of con-
Gress, and while the Hon o. NJ. Barber
has high judicial potion in the ma
tlonaI capital a general mix-up over
the position might find him one of tho
scorers
Among those named Mr.. Clement NAV
be expected to stand almost alone "a
an active champion of local option in
connection with the referendum ON tho
liquor question next March. and he
would naturally seek to ralIv to his
senatorial standard whatever STRENGTH
would come to him in that connection
as it came to him in connection with
ms goVernorship contest and chamnion
snip of local option when state pro-
hlbltlon was overthrow in 1902.
The people who want to have n hand
IN selecting their own candidate for the
United States senate as well as for
state and other officers will be all +be
more inclined next March to vote FOR
the act establishing this privilege in
stead of opposing direct nominations
and it would not be surprising from ali
accounts to see the "yes'' vote pre.
dominate in connection with this refer
endum as well as the other on the pro-