Year: 1870

The Governor Question.


Four or five names are mentioned In
different parts of the State, for our next
Governor. On the east side OF the State
tho names of Hon. Frederick Billings and
Df Hon. Julius Converse, both of Woed-
stock, have had favorable mention. Mr.
Converse is understood TO desire the Office
As an honorable close of his public life.
twenty years ago Mr.. Converse held the
1ffce of Lieutenant-Governor. 1t is not
an unnatural or surprising ambition
which leads him TO desire to add the full
title before he dies. And his ripe years,
unblemished reputation, and courteous
manners, would doubtless worthily grace
the office.


If Mr.. Billings is brought forward by
his friends il will be through no self-seek-
ing on his part; but because they see in
him a man of the vigorous stamp and
sterling qualities which the highest wei
fare of the State demands In its Chief
Magistrate. If Mr.. Billings were person
ally more widely known throughout the
State, the preference which has before
this connected his name with the COVER
aership would be, we doubt not, almost
universal. But for the past twenty years
most of his life has been spent in Califor-
uia. Though a genuine son of Vermont,
keeping watch of our State affairs and
ever interested in and supporter of YER
mont institutions, and though never lost
sight of himself by his many Vermont
friends, this absence has kept him, OF
course, from widespread acquaintance
among our people, and from the promi-
nence in public Office in the State, which
his energetic nature and high ability
would otherwise have made inevitable.
Five or six years ago be returned with
his family to spend the rest of his days in
his native State. Since then many pub
lice object in his town and county has
had the aid of his open purse. In the
very prime of life, gentleman of high
Christian character, of education, of enter
prise, public spirit and wealth, a worker
and an organizer, it is no wonder that
those who know him, see in him one who
would do honor to the Office as governor
and under whom every worthy interest of
the State could feel the impulse of a lift
ing and propelling hand.


1t is not for the West side TO select
nominees for the East side; but we say
again, as we said year or more ago,
that whenever Mr.. Billings is brought
forward by his side of the mountain, we
are prepared to give him hearty welcome
and cordial support. A Vermont cores
pondent of the Springfield Republican has
-aid that Mr.. Billings is understood TO
decline to be candidate for the COVER
norship. We question this, for the situ-
alton has not been such as to render de-
clination necessary. He is, however, mot the
man 10 allow his name to go into ''scram-
Die" for the nomination, or be willing to
accept it, except as the expression of a
wide and spontaneous preference.


On this side of the State, Hon. a L.
Miner of Manchester, has been formally
proposed as candidate by the Manches-
ter Journal, as he was by the same jour-
nal before the last State Convention. The
considerations mentioned, are the honor
able record of Mr.. Miner in public Office,
in both branches of the Legislature, and
in Congress /; intimate acquaintance with
the interests of the state; faithful public
services for period of nearly forty years;
and desire on his part to ''retire" on the
added homer of the governorship.


Governor Hendee is also mentioned for
the succession, by bis friends, especially
on the line of the Lamoille Railroad, in
which enterprise he has taken such a
leading part, and by some who have sup
posed that the two year rule would natur-
ally apply in his case, as well as if he had
come TO the Office by election.


Without any disparagemenb Of these
gentlemen, il must be admitted, we think,
that no wide spread preference or eoncen-
trstion of public opinion upon either can
be claimed. In fact, we think il can
hardly be questioned that there is, this
year, but one name on the West side, on
which the State is likely cordially and
everywhere to unite.


We refer to Hon. John w. Stewart of
Middlebury. Under the burden of his
recent sorrow, Mr.. Stewart is doubtless
giving no thought himself to the subject
but his many friends throughout the State
do not forget him ; or that since he held
so cspably and acceptably the Office of
Speaker of the House, public opinion has
entered strongly upon him, as one who
would worthily fill the Governors chair.
The very sympathy of common sorrow
in the loss of his noble brother, now turns
many hearts toward him. There is no
need to mention his qualifications. OF
high personal character, marked ability,
wide acquaintance, familiarity with the
affairs of Vermont, genial personal quail

ties, dignified and courteous address, in
the very prime of life and fulness of his
powers, be is, as ali know, eminentiy fit
for the place. Uncomplicated by the
question of locality, we cannot doubt that
he would be the choice of any conven-
vention fairly representing the Republi-
cans of Vermont.


How that question of the sides of the
State is TO bs decided, we dc not under-
take, 10 say. We believe that the West
side, if we may speak for it, has no-desire
TO approach it 10 any overbesring or
grasping spirit. Perhaps it cannot be de-
termined till the republicans meet in con-
vention. But as We have said, we think
the case is one in which the rule of alter
nation, whatever 1t be, can well be disre-
garded for once, and the man taken who
can do the State the best service.