Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1867-02-27
Rotation in the Office of Governor.

Mr.. EDITOR Il notice with surprise a
part of my g gossiping letter in the last
FREEMAN, with your structures affixed. 1t
appears from the extended list of candidates
you publish, that the subject of the next
governor is before the public. Though quite
premature, let us meet it candidly and fairly.
1t is gratifying to learn that you approve of
my g general propositions. - l proposed to
discard all rules except what the Constitution
prescribes, and let qualifications control, or
be the test. You g disagree with my APP
plication." What was it?-why-to apply
this mode of action to present circums stances,
and thus leave the freemen untrammeled by
any rules to act as their oaths and best iudg-
ment should dictate. You acknowledge
80 that if the two years rule is to be violated
at all, it might be wisely disregarded in the
reelection of Gov. Dillingham; You re-
mark that you % would have no practice of
the people such to place an obstacle in the
way of putting aside an incompetent and
unworthy official at the earliest practicable
moment. l endorse most cheerfully the
sentiment, and | would have no practic or
rule that would place an obstacle in the way
of continuing in office very competent and
worthy official. Gov. Dillingham;, YOU say,
- deserves all the commentator bestowed
upon him but you will be slow to agree that
therefore he ought to be elected the third
of such sentiment. Is his experience in
the gubernatOrial chair of no value? Is he
not far better qualified to advance the true
interests of the State than a new man? Is
1t not conceded that Vermont consulted her
highest interest in giving her senators and
representatives in Congress repea ted elections?
Is she not indebted to that fact for the high
position she has held in the council of the
nation? Did not the people of Massachu
l Gatt- ,,1I
Gov. Briggs and Gov. Buckingham in the
chair for long period Were the people
OF these states inclined to ignore the demo-
cratic principle No sir, they were disposed
to act judiciously, for the general interest.
and To repudiate pernicious rules In my
view, there is a striking similarity between
those men and our present chief magistrate.
| trust that the freemen of Vermont will
renounce am unworthy and absurd custom of
the past, and act with wise reference to
the present. | have no personal or private
interest To subserve in the election of Gov.
Dillingham-have never had the pleasure Of
an intimate acquaintance know something
OF his ability as lawyer, and his high moral
and religious character, and of his iudcous
and efficient administration. and deeply
regret that there is disposition TO put aside
peculiar and eminent fitness and experience
IN Difference to absurd custom. | have
high regard for those gentlemen whose names
have been announced as candidates They
doubtless are not much elated in having their
names banded about the State at this early
day. trust the young men of Vermont
will cherish no fears that they will be over
looked or neglected if the two years rule is
abolished. Merit will doubtless be appreci-
ated, Mr.. Editor
REMARKs.-We think our correspondent
misses the point of our objection to the APP
plication of his principle We understand
very well from experience that when one
governor has held the Office three wears. the
next governor will desire, irrespective of his
merit or fitness. to hold the office three wears
because his predecessor held it SO long. If
our correspondent, by aboliehing the two
years rule, could also do away with the now
admitted practice of giving each governor
the same term of service, we should he quite
willing to see the rule disrcgarled But. in
asmuch we believe this cannot he done, we
are inclined to avoid creating il precedent
which may plague the state in the future
however it might be advantageous when it
made.