Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1857-11-07
Massachusetts, Election.

The annual election in Massachusetts for
governor, lieut. governor, and other state officers,
for members of both branches of the Legisla-
,ure, and several county officers took place on
Tuesday The result may be given in few
words. NArH,NiE1 p BANKS is elected gov
ernor by over 90, 900 plurality over Henry ].
Gardner the present incumbent, and by about
90 900 over Beach the democratic candidate I;
the remainder of the republican state ticket is
elected by nearly the same majority; seven out
Of the eight councillors are republicans the
senate wsll contain more than four fifth repub-
leans, while the house will be more than two
thirds republicans
The verdict Of the people of Massachusetts,
is emphatic in its condemnation Of its present
executive. In that verdict we heartily acquiesce.
The administration of Governor Gardner has its
bright spots, its redeeming traits. In his re-
fusal 10 sanction the removal Of Judge Loring
and in his veto Of the Kansas appropriation, as
well as in some Of the other prominent acts Of
his administration we heartily coincide. But
the interference of the executive in the elections,
and his lowering the dignity OF his official sta
ton to continue his lease of official life, mat
tiers that have meri,ed the stern rebuke that the
result of the election gives. His adminstra-
ton has the merit of holiness and originality,
whatever that merit may be, but it will be
chiefly remembered in the future by the cool
audaci,y and sublime mpudence of which il
stands the incarnation. We sometimes hear of
''fast boys" and even of "fast men," The
administration of Governor Gardner has been a
"fast administration" 1t has brought into ex-
is,ence a host of kindred spirits whose epem err
vi visitation will always date with the Gardner
era.
The Republicans went into the contest with
fearful odds against them. They had been de-
fealed only two years since by the very man
they were opposing in the present canvass
Last year they we're forced to accept him, willing
or not for they had not the strength to defeat him
In one important point they had decided ad.
vantage The supporters of Gardner ignored
the national issues Of politics aud confined their
attention entirely TO Gardner and his success
The Republicans adopted The living issues Of
the day. They put themselves in harmony with
their brethren throughout the North, and now
they will receive their congratulations in view
of tho splendid success that has been accorded
10 tnelT CdnUludte
Mr.. Banks has always manifested great exc
cutive ability in all The public stations he hal
been chosen TO fill. He has succeeded in ex
tracing compliments from even his ablest pc
liical opponents for the manner in which h,
has discharged the duties of his official life
We much mistake the character of the man /
he does not fill the important office to which h,
has deem so lriumphanty elected with increas
ed reputation TO himself, and with honor 10 tina
good OIu DUriIrIuuw cam.
The dslricling system for members of tn
Legislature and the reduction Of the number G
representatives seems TO have worked WE'LL
AS under the recent amendments to the const
tuition plurality elected, there will be no sui
sequent elections for representatives, and n
senators to be elected on joint ballot to fill va
cahcies as heretofore. The new honse of reE
tesentaiives will be the ablest legislative bod
that has sat in the state house for many year.
Among those elected we see the names of it
Illus Rockwell of Pittsfeld, Marcus Morton
Taunton, James II. Duncan Of Haverhill, Gale
Gushing of Newburyport, Amasa Walker
North Brookfed, and others with national rel
utations. With such an arrayOftsent we ma
look for an intelligent consideration ofquesior
of grave importance, with the hope Of heir
spared some of the scenes that have made eve
the Legislature of Massachusetts, notorious.