St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1915-12-22
Presidential Campaign.

The December 18th number of the
Literary Digest contains a report OF
canvass made by that paper to learn
the popular choice for the republican
nomination for the presidency It
found that out of 700 opinions given
249 were in favor of Elihu Root of
New York. 1872 in favor of Charles E.
Hughes. For other candidates the
opinions were as follows:
For Senator William E. Borah, of
Idaho. los votes; Senator Albert B.
Cummins, of Iowa, IT; ex-President
Taft. 81; ex-President Roosevelt, Al;
ex-Vice- President Fairbanks, SIS, most
" from his state of Indiana; Senator
John w. Weeks, So and is said to be
counting on the support of Colonel
Roosevelt; and Governor Johnson of
California, 16.
In Vermont, Justice Hughes is the
first choice of in 10 journals; Sena-
tor Weeks the first choice of 2 and the
second of 8; Mr.. Root the second Of
8 and the first of 1. Others, named
are Senator Cummins. Senator Borah
ex-senator Burton, and Colonel Roose-
welt. Justice Hughes is mentioned
first by the editor of the Bellows Falls
Times, who classes himself with the
Republicans, but gives as his second
choice President Wilson. The tariff
is to be the chief issue of the cam
paign, according to this journal and
the like opinion is voiced by the Rut-
land Herald, the Brattleboro Phoenix
and others. The tariff is mentioned
also by the Rutland News. which sub
joins business common sense" and a
wise attitude toward legitimate big
business, including the railroads. The
Middlebury Register sees the need of
adequate protection and abolition of
war taxes, the Bennington Banner
also asks for a protective tariff and. in
addition, "a creditable foreign policy
and less theory and more accomplish
itor sums up his platform ideas under
the loop of a comprehensive P as fol-
lows:
Preparedness.
Prohibition.
Proficiency.
Plumber.
AS to the status of the Progressive
party some editors of the Green
Mountain State consider that the days
of its independence are over and that
it's members are coming back home
to the parental roof of Republicanism
as fast as they can. But others are not
so sure. Thus the Enosburg Stand
ard and St. Johnsbury Republican
note that the Progressives are still in
dependent, but that they would prob
ably unite for Hughes if the regulars
take firm advanced stand on public
questions as they have always been
expected to do. 1t is doubtful wheth-
err the Moose will have a separate
ticket, says the Rutland News, which
adds that in any case it can command
only negligible independent support
because most of the Progr -SsiveS will
return to the Republican party, while
a smaller portion will rejoin the Dem
ocratic organization. In this connec-
ton the Bennington Banner says that
cit must be remembered that a con
percentage of Progressives
in New England, at least. came from
the Democratic party and will likely
return to it."
The strong showing for Elihu Root
indicates a popular desire for an able
man for the presidency. The senti-
ment from all sections of the country
is not so strong for Justice Hughes as
it is in Vermont but many doubtless
were Influenced by his refusal 10 a.ICw