Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1883-11-23
THE NEXT GOyEIN0RSIIIP.

Inc montpelier WdtcnWhH IN Inc artlclc
on State politics, TO which nlluslon has been
made, in our columns, declares that too FIRE &.
quent rotation IN office is destructive Of the
prosperity of Our State. at Is the curse Of
the Legislature, and ii Is filing the State
with ex-governors in the prime of life. Gov
ernor Barstow is having a term at school In
the chief executive Office Ho has observed
and learned much that should increase his
efficiency for another term. The correct
thing would be to.elect him."
In view, however, Of the prospect that the
one -term rule will still be insisted on, the
Waterman canvasses the qualifications and
prospects of various possible and impossible
nominees.
First in its list it names Hon. Frederick
Billings, and says of him: "His name is
entirely worthy of every serious considera.
ton. Experience, success, capacity, energy,
resources, lberality, broad and generous
views of things and shining talents are his.
"E. Is o. E." the mystic characters which
human in1rmity sometimes places at the
foot of commercial invoices, would not be
needed on his bill Of qualification. Hon
j. NJ. Tyler and Hon. b. ID. Harris of Brat
tleboro are next mentioned as men of intel
lgence and liabilities such as the State might
advautageously call TO its service" or others
the Waterman says:
| Hon. Geo. II. Nichols OF Northfield,ha.
had large experience in the affairs of the
State. lie has been popularity credited will
having hedaon option on the governershil
for the last ten years or longer. However
| his may be, an ambition TO round out in thu
executive chamber long and honorable
career in the Office of secretary of State /.
pardonable and creditable. 1t Is barely pos
siblc. however, that the genial secretary has
gold-naturedly yielted TO the ambition Of
others till the statute of limitations ha.
barred the enforcement of his option. Some
what by force of precedent, and possibly
somewhat as counterplot, Lieutenant Gov
ernor Pingrec is put forward as probable
candidate A brave soldier, an eslimablt
gentleman and good lawyer, still Colone
Pingree seems to be negative kind Of
statesman. No great harm would hefall thu
State and probably no distnguishable pro
gressve stride would mark his admiuistra
ton.
II a long and honorable career, faithful
and brilliant service in difficult positions
with high and decided qualifications, arr
grounds for promotion, ex-Treasurer Johr
A. Page should he governor, on the frs
occasion the inflexible geographical restric
ton presents. The patriotic services of Gen
=. =. Pitkin in the late war were second t
those of no other Vermont officer. In thu
quartermaster's department he developed {
| r,,lI nj uip, t,,In ,;t
Tor organization and administration, tina
played no unlmportant part in the opera
tlons Of the army of the Potomac. In pri
waite offairs and civic positions he has dis
played fertile brain, level head, a quicl
and comprehensive grasp, liberal and pro
grcssive spirit, with ready and efficient exec
utirc powers. The state could go farther
for governor, and fare very much worse
Oilers might be mentioned who, like DR.
w. A. Jones Of Watsiicld, are men hav
ing the brains, experience and horse scnst
that, in the equipment of an efficient cxecu
tive for his duties, would not come amiss.
Some of these suggestions have obvious
force, while others are, probably, merely pu
forth as feelers with no expectation Of an,
popular response at present.
| With regard to Governor Barstow, it per
haps ought to be said, in view especially o
remarks which have been thrown out IN on
or two Vermont papers, that he does not con
slider himself candidate for reelection, an,
is lending no encouragement by word or dee,
unless the very faithful and capable per
fOrmance of his duties as Governor is such
to the use of his name. But VIC shall Away
welcome any well considered effort 10 breal
the oEe-tcrm rule, which the Vdtchma,
rightly calls the Course" of our State politics
and al some time, when favorable occasion
such as may be presented by the incumbenc.
OF Governor of exceptional fitness aud pop
ullrity like Governor Blrstow, arises ro q q,
tTqsst sHqh aiRR, Bur Montpelier, Rutland ant
other contemporaries in the State say in tn,
way of cordial appreciation of Mr.. Bill
lings, we most heartily concur. He is on,
of Natures noblemen. Our State could no
honor and benefit itself more than by select
ing him as it's chief magistrate. His namt
is rightly first in the thought of thousands OF
he voters and there could be no more for
tunate augury for the political future of ou
Commonwealth, than to see him taken ur
and placed at its head as it we're by genera
reclamation.
With regard TO other gentlemen mentioned
above, the suggestion that Statute OF limita
tions" has began to run in the case of DR.
Nichols will hardly find general acquiescenc,
among his many friends. lie holds an i'm
portart and excellent State office, which hi
has hitherto preferred, and may well still
prefer, 10 the more prominent and more ex
pensve Office of governor. If such is hi.
preference, it will undoubtedly be respected.
Lieu,enant-G Governor Pngrcc is by no means
a man of negative qualites-he has positive
qualifications Of a high order. For both
these gentlemen, aud quite likely for others
in the Wa.chman's list, the future doubtless
has honors and prcferments in store. But /,
is at present quite early to open canvass,
| for the next govcrnorship; and the question
may well rest for six months to come.
digging: FOR RUrte9yn VIANEV