The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1874-08-25

n
The great excitement which has pre-
vailed for some weeks in Addison
County, with reference to States Attor-
ney IT,, is likely TO end soon. The case ia
made up and next week will go to the
Jury. This issue of the REGISTER is,
of necessity, loaded down with 'last
word" of parties who wish to be heard
once more. We have had comparative
ly little to say since the convention and
after election shall of course have only |
TO give results and possibly point a |
moral.
But with all candor, We must, at
least sum up the case as in our iudg- |
ment il now stands, even at the risk of
repeating sentiments before uttered.
If we have any istrong feeling in this
matter it is first of all that there should
be no Misunderstanding or tricks, or
undue or improper influences to cause
q healthful sentiment to deviate from
the right. TO this end we will name
some of the points to he considered by
every voter.
|, 1t is contest of principles. 1t
matters not about the men except as
they represent principles. 1t makes no
difference what may be our own per-
sonal habits or theories rs to our per-
sonal acts. The question here is wheth-
err, as Il matter of public policy, we
Judge it better that laws should be en-
forced or stand as dead letter upon
our statute books. That and that alone
is the question we are called upon to
decide at the ballot box next Tuesday
in voting for States Attorney.
ii. There is only one principle in
volved and that is Temperance. Party
considerations are laid aside Both of
the great political parties, by their rep
resentatives in Convention assembled
voted to make no nomination. The
Republican convention after rejecting
Il candidate presented by the nominal
ing committee, voted by a large ma
jority to refer the matter TO the people
at the polls. The mover of this rcso-
luton distinctly stated that it was for
the purpose of getting the verdict Of the
people upon this particular issue. The
Democratic convention in like manner
declined to make n nomination, suffer
ing it to go before the people on the
temperance issue already made up.
III, The representative of the tenn
perance principle in this canvass is Joel
H. Lucia and no other, Months ago,
lust as soon AS il became evident that
Mr.. Lucia's course of action was in ac-
cordance with his protessed principles,
and it dawned upon the minds of the
offenders against law and their friends,
under his administration, there was TO
be no farce about the execution of the
duties of his Office, threats that he should
not be reelected began to be circulated.
Ofcourse those who approved his action
could rot do otherwise than to express
their qualification and approval. This
went on until his election became
the issue between the friends of tenn
perance and incompetence. Hence O
vote for Mr.. Lucia, is q vote for the
cause of temperance.
w, If we take into consideration the
relative fitness of the candidates for the
work OF the oflice which they are called
TO fill, the advantage in comparison, is
wholly with Mr.. Lucia. His greater
experience in law practice, in general
is notorious. He has for years had {
large practice which he has managed
with great credit TO himself and indie
pendently, since his law partner, Hon
F. L. Woodbridge, has been in Wash
ington, while his opponent has neve
been placed in position to act indie
practice and if we are not misinforme'
has never conducted a cause before tn
County Court. Then Mr.. Lucia ha
had the special experience and training
of two years service in the discharge @
the duties of States Attorney and ha
served with great credit to himself, i
the judgment of the great body Of th
temperance people of the county.
the law breakers think differently ii
not so strange.
V, The opposition to Mr., Lucia gei
orally admit that their hostility arise
either from personal considerations (
objections TO the principles of prohil
ition. The first of these causes all wi
rightly say, is entirely unworthy
candid, true men. 1t needs no arg
ment to prove this proposition, 1t con
mends itself 10 our judgment at once
With regard TO the other we have OF
~ to say that this is not the place
show our opposition to the prohibition
or any other law. However objectio
able any law is, ii should be enforc,
so long as it is the law. If not goo
law peal it. But do not attempt
produce anarchy by electing office
with the understanding that they n
not to be faithful in the discharge
the duties Of their office.
VI. Finally, we should rememh
In addition to all the other go
points of Mr.. LUCAS administraiio
that financially he has made gres
er success than any of his predecessol
While for long time prior to N
Lucia's accession, this Office has beer
source of expense to the state, his o
misistration has more than paid e
penses by several hundred dolla