The Rutland weekly globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1874-02-06
the eovERNoR QUESTION


ton. We know that two years ago, the
question was entered upon at as an early
date as this, but what did the result prove ?
The gentlemen who were named in cOnncc-
ton with the nomination were shevcd, and
our present governor nomnated-who, al
though somewhat thought of, and little
talked of, in connection Herewith, was
hardly considered as a possible nominee
We are aware that it is useless to attempt
to cause cessation of certain class of
discussion so long as the friends of certain
aspirants arc ''trotting out their favorilcs,"
recountng their "good points" and, more
particularly, describing their " running
qualities, in the pnbic press. We are re-
minded, moreover by our friend of the
Frees Press, that one of our state newspa-
pers has hosted the name of its editors IA
vorite candidate at the head of its columns,
s,iAg, if we mistake not, the only editorial
!eesson Of opinion in favor of particu-
lar individual. This aside, the communica-
tions referred TO are mere skirmishing on
the outposts," not downright, candid con
sideration of the question. This we always
expect. and may continue to expect so long
as newspapers exist, men seek office, and
office seekers have friends who will write
to the newspapers in their behalf. But that
the time has not come to consider this ques-
ton, with view of an ultimate decision, is
evident from Thursdays flzzle at Middle
bury. 1t is, moreover, evident, if we may
Judge from current events, that the people
propose TO make the nomination this year
without any particular help from profess
sonal politicians. We, most assuredly,
trust so, and we believe that every good re-
publican in Vermont, and every lover OF
the state and her institutions desires the
same thing. AS a citizen, we have the same
interest in this question as has every other
citizen of the state-no more, no less. As
general rule, newspapers are expected to
lead and form public opinion, but in this
matter we believe that the press has no such
office to perform. In this case, we should
be the opponents of not the formers of pub
lie sentiment. In the choice of men. they
are as well informed as we are; let the mat.
ter be left with them, and we do not risk
much in saying that the decision will be q
wise one
There is another matter, in this connec-
ton, in reference to which we desire to say
a word-that is the matter of l0cality. This
Middlebury affair, by whatever name il
may be properly known and designated, is
credited, by one who claims to have been
there, with resolving "That the interests
" of Addison and Rutland counties are
" identical and that it is desirable that said
" counties act in unison upon the questions
I" about to be presented in our coming
" state election and that we as citizens OF
" SAID counties deem it proper, and will use
our influence for the accomplishment OF
" this purpose" 1t is matter of COM
parative unimportance, what these dozen
or so men resolved. They can, of course,
''act in unison" if they "deem proper, and
g use their influence for the accomplish
" ment of" that "purpose" is, the
endeayor to unite the citizens of Rutland
and Addison counties against the rest OF
the state. If the resolution means any.
thing it means this. This matter of $50
calty' is doing more injury to Vermont
and other New England states than all Other
political questions combined There was a
time when locality was not considered. Rut
land alone for a long series of years had
two, and most of the time three, of the
following officers governor, lieutenant
supreme court, United States Senator ant
member of congress- to say nothing Of
minor state and county officers. The SAINT
was true of Bennington, Middlebury, Bur
lington and other parts OF the state. Why
was it so? Fer the simple reason that 10
cality was not regarded The best maj
was selected for Office no matter where h,
resided. Many, even, of our younger read
ers can readily recall the day when Rut
land had governor, United States Senate
and judge, and, still later, when she hat
an United States Senator, member of Con
gress and judge. Why? Because fitnes
for office was considered before local.
ty. Could this have happened 1.-TWO coun
ties had resolved to "act in unison?" Stat
officers, judges, United States Senator
and members of Congress are not elected t.
represent the interests Of one or two coun
ties, but the people of the entire state.
Rutland county has the best man let hin
be selected and the same with Addison
Chittenden and other counties. Did Massa
from Boston or Michigan when both o
her Senators resided in Detroit? Far fror
il, rs every one knows. We have prid
in our own town and county, and shout
desire, above all things politically, to Sc
one of our sons occupy the highest oflic
of the state, and others in other responsible
positions. So, too, we have a state pride, an
are therefore, unwilling to sacrifice the in
terests of the state on account of the local
ity of a candidates residence We do nc
say that there is any danger of this. w
do not intend to say that Rutland and Ad
Olson counties cannot furnish enough O
the best material but we do protes
against the idea of this Middlebury resolu
ton, that one or two counties are more II
terested in state officers and state affair
than is ever other county in the state.
TAXATION.
There is no question that can arise in
state, which presents so many difficulti6