The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1883-11-28
Constructive Statesmanship Again.

Mr.. Editor The first article in the
WATCHMAN of the 14,h that met my eye
was the one entitled " Constructive States
manship." When read it through, I
said, "That is the most hopeful sign of
the times for Vermont that l have seen
for many day." Let me take few
moments to urge its Importance upon
your readers, for my words must be few.
Constructive craftsmanship" That is
exactly the thing Vermont most needs.
And the whole article seems to point
with exact aim to the needs of the state
and to the obstacles that can and ought to
be removed, in order that these needs be
met. I we'll remember how when went
home sixteen years ago from my first, and
as supposed my last, visit to Vermont,
that I was most of all impressed with the
possibilities before the state from her
great natural resources that were only par
TALLY developed. Her soil, mines and
quarries seemed the best in all New Eng
land, while her water-power, lumber and
facilities for transportation appeared to
hold out more than usual inducements.
Those impressions have been confirmed.
The causes of our slow development
slowly dawned upon me, but the need you
point out has long been held as settled
conviction by a great many of the
citizens of Vermont as we'll as by
visitors to the state. That "negative
kind of state craft" you speak of has
been allowed to take the place of con-
structive craftsmanship. The Office of
governor has been "passed around among
the elect" to the great detriment of the
state. And what is true OF this office is
substantially true of most of the impor-
tant executive Offices. The business, pc.
litical, educational and social interests of
the state have accordingly suf ,red at the
hands of even business men. Who can
not see, to take an example that first
comes to mind, that if the state had
taken such man as Governor Proctor,
who probably did as much or more really
constructive work than any other chief ms g.
istrate of late years, and kept him in office
few years with the understanding that
the true interests of Vermont were to be
pushed, it would have given us double or
quadruple the result attained by himself
and all his successors put together AS
it is, reforms and constructive work in
most departments 60 on slowly, as fast as
officers can do their duty and yet not lose
a good chance for another Office. Moneyed
institutions fail, disturbing business and
sending loss and ruin into thousands of
homes, and the people wonder why the
state did not warn them in sufficiently
clear tones. Very likely the truth is that
some officials want to be governor and they
discharge the duties of present offices &C.
cordingly. The interests of health, edu.
cation, business, social order and patriot
ism demand special attention. Their
friends 60 to the capital to find legislators
without experience aud politicians look
ing out " for the main chance" and 20
home in despair or with miserable SUBJ
stitute for the real thing needed. If some
governor should recommend, and some
legislature should appoint, at the begin
ming of its session a commission of five
of the ablest men in the state to study in
the broadcast aud most thorough manner
its whole interests and give them ade-
quste powers, and then adjourn one year
to re-assemble and, if deemed best aft or
a months discussion, to enact the report
of the commission into law, it would
prove the least expensive and most pro-
ductive administration of many years.
Vermont resolves in favor of civil service
reform and then violates the principles of
the reform in her own affairs. Aud these
things are understood both in and out of
the state and commented on in private
and sometimes publicly. 1 recall some
comments upon our politics from two