The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1916-06-03
The Senatorial Situation


gone, without as yet producing any
material change in the senatorial sit
uation, if, in fact, there can be said
to be situation. Senator Carroll S.
Page has refused to make a formal
announcement of his candidacy, bas-
ing his position on the fact, as he sees
it, that in 60 years no United States
senator from Vermont has made such
an announcement, the tradition being
firmly established, as he believes, that.
the senator's from this state shall be
returned to Washington during their
good behavior.
This is his principal argument for
being returned to his seat in the SEN
ate. Having been placed on good com
mittees, being almost proyerbial as to
punctually and diligence, being en-
titled to important committees when
the republicans return to power and
being on the right" side of the state
may be said to be his chief appeals
for reelection, and it cannot be denied
that they are important and material
considerations.
" itlitNC All uHtdOIHtS6s IL may DG
said, definitely and fatty, that Senator
Page is candidate, has been for some
months and is actively engaged in
propagating his interests as best he
can. His occupancy of the Governors
suite at the State convention, the
contiguous location of many of his
friends on the same floor and the con-
tinual reception which he held dur
ing the convention gathering his 5000
letters to constituents and the actiyi-
ty OF the newspapers which are usual
ly rated as Page organs all points in
one definite direction and preclude
any possibility Of doubt as to his de-
ksire to succeed himself.
T. Some editors have referred to the
reception" which the Senator re-
celved when he entered the state CON
INention, Extremely proper and to be
expected. 1t would be strange, indeed,
if gathering of Vermont republicans.
full Of patriotism and enthusiasm,
should not enthusiastically cheer the
man whom they have honored with
the highest office in their gift. Natural
~ such a reception is gratifying to
any sensible man, but it is not con-
elusive
Reporters and editors who mingled
with the crowd heard a great deal of
Gates talk. Given the same chance,
| there is very little doubt about the
sort Of reception the present Govern
or would have received, had he enter
ed alone and at the psychological
moment. The Herald believes that he
also is candidate.
Why should he not be? He will
never be more popular than at present.
He has ready.made organization that
is the envy and admiration OF many
more experienced politicians. He is
supposed to have a following. partic-
ularly in the back towns" that can
not be equalled by any announced
candidate He would be agreeable to
certain interests that need federal
friendship That he has the desire
is also not to be contradcted.
Why should Governor Gates not be
| Il candidate?
| No reason whatever, except one of
| fitness. and those who might urge that
the Governor is not yet ready for pro
motion need only to be referred to
recent charges that Senator Page him.
self does not measure up to the stand
ards of Morrill,. Edmunds and Proctor
| Former Governor Fletcher has made
| no announcement, but the product of
his literary bureau in Ludlow shows
that he is at least ready to defend
himself, and has an assortment of
shrapnel, noXious gas and liquid fire
that seems to mean modern warfare
| Furthermore, those argus-eyed editors
who make practice of scanning the
political horizon for signs of strife de-
clare boldly that the lines of his
| trenches are already being traced and
that process of excavation may begin
at any time!
So far. Senator Page has the want
age of the situation. man in Office
is hard to beat Tradition goes a great
have a campaign and that it behooyes
way, and the mountain rule would be
| heartily involved so far as Mr. Fetch
er is concerned, but The Herald has
notion that Vermont Is about tc
the incumbent to be prepared.-Rut
,land Herald. &