The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1873-12-30
MliobIsbutp 8tgister.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1918.
What shall we Demand of Cand i'd ates
for Office

proper quallncatlOns OF canuluoteS LOT
preferment. We should come
to some settled conclusion,
~ to the general principles at least, In
regard to what qualities of mind and
heart we shall consider requisite in a
candidate for our sufirages. 1t is evil
dent that there are degrees of fitness.
No one will claim that lunatic, or a
non compos mentis, or n convicted
thief, or murderer, can properly be sup
ported for positions involving high
public trusts. No one will deny in
words, that temperance, morality, integ-
rity and ability, are desirable qualities
In public servant. Then where is
the chance for difference of opinion?
Yet there is n very great variance, some
times SO great that the excitement runs
high and all reason and virtue which Is
not with our own party or clique, is ig-
nored Do we then have different
standards of morality and ability? We
apprehehd that much of the difference
of opinion and more of the difference
in political action, may lie attributed to
unthinking Incidence, and selfish dis
regard of convictions. 1t is this partic-
ular phase of political action that we
wish, at this time to discuss The hon
est differences of judgment which re-
main after careful deliberation, are gen
orally unimportant, and when not I'M
important, ARE not likely to lead to very
serious consequences. We lay down
this general principle The RESPONSE
bllities of citizenship impel us to make
our selections of candidates with regard
to the best good of the whole people.
We have no right to take into consider
alton the results which will subserve
the interests Of cliques, or sections, or
individuals, il these interests are in
conflict with the highest public veal.
But if they are not in conflict with the
general interests of community, we
may be influenced by sectional consid-
contradiction of this proposition, and
we shall not stop to prove it. What
then ere some of the qualifications for
a proper candidature We hold that
there are two absolutely essential quail
tiles without the possession of which,
no person can be properly thought OF
in connection with any position of re-
sponsibility and trust. For the pur-
poses of further description we will
name them capability and honesty.
We do not mean that measure of abili-
ty which barely enables the public SER
want to get through his term without
public censure. We do not consider
the man who upon occasions tempora.
rily units himself for the disch arge o.
his duties by the use ofintoxicants, com
petent for any important public posi-
ton, even though by nature highly en-
lowed, and possessed of all the culture
of the schools.
So also that low type OF integrity
which impels man to be honest only
because and so far as, there is danger t.
his reputation or his business to be 9th
erwise, does not come within our defini
ton of honesty. Our candidate should
be honest from the principle of righ
rather than policy. The public servant
who Is honest only for fear of conse
quences, may come into temptations Sc
great that he will conclude to defy con
sequences or what is more common
may be placed in circumstances il
which he thinks he can avoid detec
ton. What we want is integrity which
connot be purchased with money, OF
position, or silenced by fear, or infu
enced by any other considerations thar
those Of right and the public good.
In addition to these qualification.
there are others which we consider es
sential to q | roper candidature, for pc
sitions involving legislative duties
Such candidates should have higl
sense Of their sponsibilities, correc
moral principles, and right theories o
public, policy.
When solicited to support any candi
date, or if canvassing among friends t.
find one suitable for such candidacy, /
should always 6e inquired, and clea
answer obtained to the following ques
tons: Is he capable of performing thu
duties Of the Office in a manner whicl
shall reflect credit upon himself and hi
constituency Will he always be abb
to meet the emergencies which ma,
arise? Is he temperate? What ar
his theories of government, Of publi
policy, of moral rectitude? Is he hon
est In every fiber of his soul ? Does h.
despise shams and hollowness and pre-
tension? Will he need the infiuenc
of public opinion to force him to tn
performance of plain duties? Will h
recognize the relations of friendship O
hostility, in the performance of his OF
fetal work? VIII any consideration
of personal preferment or cmolument
any regard for popularity on persona
convenience, any expectation of secul
ing influence for pet measures. or an
other personal or party consideration
warp his judgment, or influence, his aC
ton contrary to the right? Is his pei
sonal morality the result of the absenc
Of temptation, or an abiding principl
and theory? These and many othe
searching questions should be fully al
swered to our minds before we becom
committed to the support ofany one,
The Illinois farmers association col
cluded its annual session at Decatu
Thursday night. The resolutions declal
that farmers are absolved from all alleg