Orleans County Monitor

THIRD DISTRICT POLITICS.

The convention for the nomination of a member of congress from this district is to be held at Hydepark, July 24th. Already the discussion in regard to the successor of Mr. Hendee has been carried on largely in the western part of the district, and the merits and demerits of several candidates have been fully set forth. Counting Mr. Hendee out of the field, we mention Bradley Barlow of St. Albans, as he was the first man "talked of" in some sections. Mr. Barlow is a stirring business man, a capitalist and banker, and has been and is largely engaged in mail contracts in the western and southern part of the United States. Mr. B. was originally a democrat, but he has been a republican for several years. While speaking well of Mr. Barlow's business capacity, that portion of the press that does not support him, objects to his record in his transactions with the government, inasmuch as he is a prominent lobbyist in Washington, and has, by his own confessions, paid out much money in that city to further his personal ends. In short, those who oppose Mr. Barlow have great fears that his career in congress, if he is permitted to go into the House, will be too much like that of Oakes Ames. Mr. Barlow has many friends and warm supporters in St. Albans and in Franklin county, and will be a strong candidate in his section of the district. We regret that in a candid statement of facts, one is compelled to refer to some of the things mentioned above. Hon. E. A. Sowles, also of St. Albans, is a candidate who hopes to divide the strength of Franklin and Grand Isle counties. Mr. Sowles is comparatively a young man; he is a lawyer by profession, a man of large fortune and of excellent habits. He is a man of no mean ability, and is a gentleman of culture. What his chances are, we do not know, but it is claimed that Mr. Barlow will have the greatest following in the western portion of the district. Last of the three prominent candidates, we mention Gen. W. W. Grout, a man too well known in this vicinity to require any words from us. It is a fact well known to all conversant with the affair, that this whole section of the district will cheerfully and zealously support him. In other sections of this district, as in Lamoille and Chittenden counties, there are many of the best men that believe him to be the most fit man for the place. Of the character, integrity and ability of Gen. Grout, we will not speak at this time; but suffice to say that he is most esteemed and most popular where he is best known. At the present time we think it impossible to foretell the result. We hope that no unfair means will be used by either candidate in creating a support for himself, and that the politics of this district will not be bartered and sold to the highest bidder. Vermont has a political reputation as free from tarnish as that of any State in the Union, and we hope that this canvass will not be an exception to the general rule in her political affairs.