The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1884-04-09

" long telt want " oil some cnque OF sone
particular locality. Correspondents of
The WAroHMAN occasionally write of
rings" and machines in connection
with existing phases of state politics. We
assume no responsibility for these utter
auces further than they are editorially en-
dorsed. This matter of the choice of state
officers is entirely the peoples affair. 1t
is an affair in which their participation
has often been more formal than real. In
publishing these letters we are actuated
solely by desire to furnish avehicle for
a frank expression of popular opinion. We
deem it but right that the people should
do share of the talking, and it is highly
essential that they do it in the initial
stages of canvass. 1t is the way and the
time to speak out before delegates are
chosen and conventions assemble. Fur
ther on, it will be too late and of no avail.
To develop out of diverse and shadowy
elements that which constitutes what is
popularity called "the machine" in this
state, is very much like undertaking to
define the indefnable. 1t is not so tangi-
BILE thing as one of the ponderous Emo
guls " recently placed upon the great rail-
way thoroughfare of the state; still "the
machine " is no chimers. A correspond
emit recently described it as "a little COM
pact band of mutual admirers, composed
largely of members of our perpetual
and self-perpetuating state committee and
its select circle of friends, guided and
controlled by an adroit master hand"
which "has kindly parceled out, some
times years in advance, all important state
offices and emoluments-frst making
sure that the official crumbs, great and
small, should fall only to faithful adher-
ents, neither too great nor too independ-
emit to obey the power that made them"
With an understanding, right or wrong,
of some such close corporation as is here
portrayed by man of experience and
observation in Vermont politics, we have
used these terms. History and the
present political status strongly confirm
this diagnosis. In the near past men,
Der of this " self-perpetuating commit
tee" was made acknowledgements the
candidate for governor ON the same ticket
first reconciled his ambitious desires
with those of the head of this organiza.
ton; the course was then cleared and the
candidates made the run to the state capt.
toll without obstruction two years ago
this machine was confidently counted on
to pull some local trains up steep grade
of popular dissent-with very indifferent
success, aud with some loss of prestige; at
the present time the adroit master hand :"
is in the field, Justify wooing the COVER
norship for himself; another is captivated
by the charms of the Office of lieutenant
governor, and third has baited his hook
for the secretaryship of state. This
committee" said prominent citizen, re.
Gently, "has dictated nearly all important
nominations for dozen years or more,
frequently taking a liberal share itself,
and this year it grabs for ALL" The sim
ultaneous candidacy of three of this COM
mittee's Oldest members for the three
highest offices of honor and emolument
might happen innocently enough, and
might be the result of spontaneous de-
velopment of public sentiment. But
these candidates. came out under no sane
ton or call of public opinion. Where is
the evidence of any such popular call for
these men as that which has been made
for Mr.. Billings ? And yet these names
for months have been associated with
these Offices. Not only this, but the head
of the triumvirate has for years been con-
coded to have " the drop" on the COVER
norship, and has only refrained from play
ing directly for it by benevolent desire
to assist his partners, but chiefly by a
thrifty purpose to make sure of "game 3"
by biennially trumping the salary and
emoluments of the Office of secretary of
state. During the past two years, in par
ticular, men not specially famous for
political prescience have pointed with i'm
pudent assurance to the chairman of the
state committee as the next governor of
Vermont" When pressed for the rea-
sons for their confidence, the significant
answer has been, o, he has been secre.
tary of state so long he has got that all
fixed. He has friend in every town
looking out for his interests" 1t has
been whispered all over the state, and
proclaimed beyond the borders of the
state, that Nichols is the man." though
not representative republican paper on
the side of the mountains which custom
permits to name the governor this year
has yet declared for him. When this sort
of candidacy is met with protests here
and there, the initiated say, with sug.
gestive shrug, " No use, you've got to take
him /" Prominent office-holders, consent
ing to thing which is an affront to their
honest judgment, excuse themselves with
the easy-going plea that " Nichols has been
promised theofiice so long we suppose we've
| got to let him have it." Does a "felloW