The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1884-04-23

and that clearly distingulshable In the
letters which have been coming up from
the people from every quarter of the state
for weeks past, and which have furnished
the public with peculiarly vivid and
trenchant preaching of the true political
gospel. The explanation of this discrep.
ancy is not far to seek, and the reader
will be able to search it out and find it
without any specific directions.
The canvass for the next governorship
has been in active operation for several
months. 1t is rapidly approaching the
period of capitalization. Much has been
said and written during this time, and in
view of much that is said and written at
the present time, particularly about the
course and the motives of the leaders of
this independent movement, it may serve
to clear up some things and to give direc-
ton to the canvass in the future briefly
to review the past In the summer and
fall of the past year there were not want
ing signs in the political heavens above,
or in the earth beneath, or in the waters
under the earth, that combinations were
being formed in the interest of certain
individuals to capture the leading offices
of the state which would this year be
filled by popular choice. November 18th
The WAToHMAN had leading article
on this subject, in which it drew atten-
ton to the dignity and Importance of the
governorship and the necessity of choos-
ing for the Office man whose capacity,
fitness and experience shall give promise
of higher measure of realization of the
true idea of the chief magistracy than
had always, or to a reasonable degree,
been realized. Referring to the agitation
of this question, THE WATcHMAN said
"If the discussion which the early broaching
| Of this subject Creates takes the direction of
an honest and unbiased inquiry after the man
who shall best supply the need Vermont has
OF a live governor, great good may come to the
| state; but If the forcing of the question is
| simply to forestall public opinion in favor Of
some self-constituted candidate or the candi-
date Of some ring, the people should step in
| and institute new departure"
In the same article it condemned the
practice of indiscriminate rotation and
| favored the continuance in Office of the
present governor for another term. In
view of the improbability of the abroga-
| ton of the mountain law, it further said
"But if the senseless geographical rule is to
| be enforced it behooves the people of the
,Dhole state to cast about for good man to sue
sceed him; to weigh the qualifications of citi-
zens who have given evidence of such states
manship as the emergency demands and
| actuated by single desire to secure the best
| attainable government, to summon him to the
| position with an inspiring unanimity and fervor
y There is plenty of undeveloped
material in the state that will make excellent
governors There is no need of haste in choos-
| ing. 1t is of more consequence to decide wisely
| than to decide quickly"
At that time we briefly reviewed the
qualifications of several prominent citi.
zens for the Office, among others those of
Frederick Billings. The suggestion of
his name was instantly caught up and
received with enthusiasm throughout the
state; but time has developed the fact
that from the very first his business af-
fairs have interposed an insurmountable
barrier to his candidacy. And yet, sam.
pie public sentiment anywhere in the
state and there will still be found an ex-
uberant preference for Mr.. Billings, which
only needs the slightest assurance that he
would accept the honor to develop into a
nomination by reclamation. Our pur-
pose has been to discuss the principles
which should regulate the choice of a
governor, making the personality of the
candidate matter of secondary conse-
quence. Writing of the Bad Political
Customs of the state, January 16, we
deprecated the disposition of the press to
discuss the governorship solely with ref
erence to personal considerations, disre.
garding those weightier matters which
should come first, and which should
determine the selection of a man. Re-
turning to this feature of the question,
January 80. The WATERMAN said:
| "The state needs for the governorship at this
| time practical statesman, a man capable of
| deviAng broad, wise and progressive measures
| Of state development or moral and material
| resuscitatiOn. The voters Of the state should
| unite in an effort to secure such man. 1t Is
| immaterial whether he bears the name of Bill
| lings, or some other name. For a consumma-
| ton 30 devoutly to be desired the voters need
not wait on the schemes and movements of a
| few politicians who seem to be more anxious
| to secure the offices for themselves, or to con-
troll their disposition, than to advance the good