Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-01-05
State Officers.

The Springfield Republican says "Every-
body bids good radiance to the Vermont
legislature. The chief aim Of the solons
appears TO have been to elect each other TO
office. Mr.. Taft was made Judge; Messrs.
Allen and Harvey, supervisors of the insane ;
Mr.. Hooker, Judge advocate general MIR.
Thompson, commissioner on the revision OF
laws; Mr.. Dart, superintendent OF educa-
ton, and Lieutenant Governor Barstow,
trustee Of Burlington university" The Re
publican shows an incapacity akin to imbe-
cility TO understand clearly and comment
intelligently upon Vermont affairs. To as
sert that "the chief aim Of the solons
appears TO have been to elect each other to
Office" is an exhibition Of that iippant
style of captious criticism that character
ICES light wits and superficial observers. 1t
is cheap way some people have Of seeking
a reputation for superior wisdom. The i'm
plication which the above item conveys, that
there was combination among the men,
bers of the late legislature to secure state
Offices, is foolishly and stupidity false. 1t is
true, Mr.. Taft was made judge, but only
after an Intellectual effort to unite dead
lock between candidates who were not mem
bers of the legislature. His name was not
mentioned till the last moment, nor had his
election been preceded by any canvass for
the office. His election was a surprise to all,
and doubtless as much so to Mr.. Taft him
self as to any one else. The favorable i'm
preston his abilities had made on his fell
low members during the session was his best
advocate when his name at length came be-
fore the house. Every other Office the Repub-
lcdn names is undesirable, either by the ma
ture of the duties or by the poverty or
the entire absence of compensation. The
peculiar fitness of the individuals for the Of
fees to which they were elected, known and
appreciated personally by the members, ex-
plains their selection. Colonel Hooker was
elected to an Office which, practically, has no
duties and actually no compensation, unless
civil commotion renders necessary the crea-
ton and use of military force. He was
elected in the face of his sincere and imper-
alive declination to stand for the Office, as
was also Mr.. Dart, the superintendent of
education. The latter was a conspicuous
instance Of the office seeking the man and
not the man the office. Mr.. Dart, an eff
ficient and practical teacher, was chairman
of the committee on education, of which
committee he had also been member in
the two preceding legislatures. He had
state reputation. His ability, honesty and
efficiency had been proved, and these quail
tiles were his eloquent advocates among his
fellow members. 1t is matter of sincere
regret that he has since felt obliged to re-
sign an office to which he was elected by an
overwhelming majority in opposition to his
plainly expressed wishes. There was GER
tainly propriety and reason in placing
Judge Thompson on the board of commits
sioners for the publication of the revised
laws. He was second on the committee of
revision, and first after Judge Taft's resig-
nation. Under the circumstances, who but
a carping critic, like the Republican, would
complain of his appointment The late
legislature was human, like some representa-
tive bodies that have assembled beneath the
brazen dome on Beacon hill in Boston, and
is amenable to criticism for deeds of omis-
sion and commission. We only wish that
no worse fault could be charged against it
than that which the Republican makes the
basis Of its pointless fling.