Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1882-07-26

CLIPPER: Addison county republicans repudi-
ate the tax law by nominating a tax dodger for
the senate"
REFoRMER 1.-THE Montpelier Waterman Justly
argues that the new highway law, with its cum
bersome methods Of supervision and repair, and
its relief Of towns from all responsibility, has
proved a failure. From all sides come complaints
that highways all over the state were never In 30
bad a condition; both towns and citizens are neg
lgent Not only are life and limb insecure, but
things are running into a shape where repairs in
the future will be terribly expensive. good
deal OF extortion was practiced on towns under
the old highway law, but the evils were less ser-
Gus than now and besides the old law was right
in principle while this is fundamentally wrong
Repeal it."
SPEAKING Of the spook OF an "old time still
hunt, which has troubled the brain of the Brat
tleboro Phonir, the Landmark, with Characters
tic pith, says: THE facts are that the friends of
Judge Poland have been very much exercised be-
cause he iCould not and ioM not put forth any
work for himself, and this IL what the sage Pho
mir calls a still hunt; II the hunt has been
so still how happens it that the Phdnin has
heard so much about it? 1t must come of the ex-
traordinary larReness of its editors earsl There
are men in every town who are talking the cand-
dacy Of Judge Poland and trying to bring to a
practical head sentiment that has always ex-
listed that Poland is now, and ever has been the
best man, and that when the district sacrificed
him eight or ten years ago to the demands OF fif-
teen or twenty corporals in the ranks Of the re-
puDlcan party, IL committed DOtn moral ana pO-
litical suicide, and are now trying to exhume COM
mon sense from its ashes. As gong beaten the
PhgniI may prove success, but as a promulga-
tor OF old-fashioned truth, II is somewhat Of a
failure"
In sensible article on nominations by cour-
tesy inspired by the foolish claim put forward
in General CIRCUITS behalf In the second congress
sional district canvass, the Rutland Herald says:
1--WE do not call a bank teller to fill the place of
retiring cashier from courtesy, because he has
seen years OF faithful service; we call him there,
II we summon him, from a conviction that 1t is
for the best interest Of the bank 10 promote him
There Is no custom or courtesy about it, IL the
teller has recommended himself during his years
Of service by manifesting the qualities wanted in
the place OF cashier, he il promoted otherwise
the bank calls another to the position. Nor does
a bank re-eect cashier who is not satisfactory
on the score OF capacity; he may be faithful and
upright and yet not represent the caution, the
judgment-in short, the degree OF capacity wanted
1t is all through the administration OF the prac-
teal affairs Of this world, except in politics In
no other business OF this world do we allow pre-
cedent, usage, the courtesy OF custom to override
the plea of common sense and sef-interest az we
do in politics, and we are glad that the Windsor
Journal speaks out "before meeting" the sober
truth concerning the folly OF making political
nominations upon any other plea than that the
candidate than II not an ideal representative,
was the best that was attainable under the
circumstances ....... 1t is high time that
the courtesy Of custom should be cast out Of
all serious consideration, in awarding political
trusts. When this so-called courtesy Is allowed
to come in at the door, common sense goes up the
chimney and the word OF the Windsor Journal is
both timely and well-spoken. Get the best is
good motto, but II cannot be successfully acted
upon II political usage, custom, courtesy, etc. con-
tinue to be so often the provincial practice In YER
mont politics.
QUOTING the Brattleboro Pheni1s weak accusa-
ton Of selfshness against Judge Poland the
Rutland Herald makes the following candid and
effective retort 1.-THE above criticism OF Judge
Poland is ungenerous and unfair, II it Is meant to
assert, as 1t seems to us 1t does, that Judge Po-
land has been above all other men of first rank
in state politics supremacy selfish While all
men who win much, whether in politics or bust
ness are selfish in their ardent search for success,
we do not think Judge Poland has been exception
ally self-seeking. On the contrary, while gifted
with unusual abilities for public life that were
early recognized in his career, he was nearly, II
not quite fifty years OF age, before he was APP
pointed from the supreme bench, where he had
served eighteen years. TO the United States senate
Up TO this time certainly Judge Poland has not
been In active politics. He served eight years
In congress- and was only beaten In his fifth term
by a fusion OF democrats with faction Of sore
head republicans. Judge Poland has never pos
tured rs philanthropist, nor a SWIVEL service
reformer, but we fail to see what proof there Is
that he has been supremacy selfish man In poll
tics beyond that ordinary Difference 10 self-nter-
est that all mon manifest In all the pursuits OF
life. In the sense that all men, who are part OF
the breathing, working world OF politics and bust
ness, are selfish, we suppose Judge Poland has
struggled to deserve and achieve success, but this
is true Of all men OF any ambition who ever ac-
complished anything for themselves or others.
Judge Poland has not been dreaming poet, OF
rhapsodizing eremite, but his selfishness has not
been such as distinguish him above any other
man OF our politics past or present, lie has been
selfish enough TO be self-preseryative against the
temptation OF fritterng away his reputation for
statesman-ke talents In exchange for the poor
reputation OF a clever fellow who wastes his
wit and his substance on mass Of political
suckers and bummers, and casts the pearls Of his
wisdom TO the swine, who think they have a
right to drool out driyel to man Of dignity and
brains, because they voted for him in caucus OF
| convention. We have heard this sef-preserva.
| tive quality In man called great many hard
names. Some call 1t arrogance egotism, imperi.
business some call 1t assuming aristOcratic airs
we call II common sense and selfrespect, and we
wish heartily that no man ever went to congress
who had not sufficient dignity of character tC
keep at decent distance those fellows who think
that congressman is servant OF the people In
the same manner that hostler Is servant Of the
horse ! he Is bound 10 comb out his name ant
tail and prepare his dinner"