Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1874-02-23
MARCH MEETING.

vi ARCu vi EEl1NG.
The annual March meeting occurs one
week from next Tuesday, and it will be
of more than usual importance, from the
fact that the times demand a board of
officers, who shall wisely and economically
manage the affairs of the town. No or
binary excuse ought to deter any voter
from attending this meeting, and par
ticipating in its proceedings. The re-
ports of officers will be made, or ought
to be made, and full knowledge of the
condition of the affairs of the town can
be had, and those who have managed
prudently, and well, should be returned
to Office, while any who have failed to
do justice to their office, should be
rejected. We hold that honesty is the
prime qualification for Office, and that
no man who has a stain of dishonesty
about him should be appointed to any
place where he can handle the money of
town. Next to honesty, ability and
a peculiar fitness for certain place, is
required in choosing an officers expe-
rience is of value in the management of
town affairs, and it is better to retain
good officer for years, than to run the
risk of getting a poor one in his place.
For the general good, we ought to
select officers who are known to be sound
on the temperance question, for the
scandal ought to rest on us no longer,
that we elect jurors. states attorneys
and other officers who will set aside
laws, and render wrong verdicts, because
those laws are obnoxious to their feelings
and initiate against their practices.
Politics is of little consequence in town
matters, and ought not to enter into a
spring election at all. Among the i'm
portant officers to be chosen, are listers,
who will this year make an apprisal of
real estate. If there are three men in
town who have good judgments which
will not be biased by selfshness, or the
false representations of property holders,
let these be made listers. In the cleo
ton of an overseer of the poor, choose a
man with human heart, but one who
has sufficient sagacity to discern between
Iaziness and actual need this officer can
town greatly, and no mistakes ought to
be made in his selection. The select
men, being the first and most important
officers of town should be chosen from
among those who are known to be COM
petent for the position. There arc ques-
tons coming before this board of officers
every year that require wisdom and dis.
cretion, and our best men are none too
good for this place. Among the minor
offices which are abused, is that of dis
trlct surveyors. The Office is more fruit
tul OF perplexity than of honor, and is
not sought after but poor or dishonest
surveyor has it in his power to do the
town much harm. If there is a man
who is known to be fit for this position
elect him to the office, for it is the moor.
est policy to pass this office around un-
til 1t falls into poorer places. The
school superintendent is another officer
who does more service. and receives more
curses for them, than he can afford 70
do for his small pay, but he
can do very much good, if he chooses
for the welfare of the schools, and as
the public put upon him and upon teach
erS all the care of schools, it is necessary
that he be a competent and willing off.
Ger. What is true of the officers named
Is true OF all others, and voters only
will be to blame if their offices are filled
with unworthy and unqualified men
We are just at this time looking with
careful scrutiny into the proceedings of
those who are high in power, and find
that dishonesty and prodigality stalk in
high places would it not be we'll to
look into the condition of our town affairs
and see if everything is right at home.
ana that economy Is exercised in the
government of town as well as that of
the nation. Taxes are high, and if any
management in nation, state or town
can reduce them, We need that manage
ment.