Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1884-01-18
STATE POLITICS.
The GovernOrshIp Question.
From the Montpelier watchman.I

ShAIE POIIGICS.
The GovernOrshIp Question.
From the Montpelier Wstchman.l
Governor Barstow, as we have said before,
protests against the use of his name 10 connec-
ton with denomination. This is matter
with which the governors personal feelings
should have nothing to do. 1t is the peoples
business, and when political matters come to
bearing, if the people command he should
obey with willing spirit the kindly motto, 81
serve unless be can give such reasons for
declining as ought TO excuse any man from
the service Of the State. 1t is high time the
people put in an effective aud practical pro-
test against the pcrnicious and uubusiness-
like custom which biennialy fills the chief
executive and legislative branches of the gov
eminent with new and untricd men. This
wholesome reform should begin at the head
Whatever names may be ultimately con-
nccted with other offices for which the next
Republican State convention will select
candidates there can be only one opinion as
to the fitness of w. II. Dubois for the office
of treasurer and E. Henry Powell for the
position of auditor an Office to be filled, for
the first time by the people. The name
Of Colonel w. Y. w. Ripley is mentioned
in connection with the office of lieutenant
governor. If Governor Barstow should be
re-nominated Colonel Pingree as a matter of
course, will succeed himself in the presf-
dercy of the Senate. But If there is new
DEAL we know Of no man to whom our pref
erence for the second position would be
more checrfully given than to Colonel Ripley.
ICor. Woodstock S'andard,l
1t is said that Mr.. Billings is not in the
field as a candidate for the governorship, and
this is undoubtedly true in the ordinary sense
of putting himself forward in the slightest
degree for that purpose-a fact altogether to
his credit among those who for once would
see the office seeking the man and not the
man the Office. Mr.. Billings, there is reason
to believe, neither seeks the Office as an honor
or shuns it as duty. An election as gov
ernor of Vermont would bring no especial
honor to Mr. Billings, but the State would
honor itself in electing him, and ex-
actly here lies the important differ
ence between him and the average
asprant for gubernatoral honors. Too
often it is the candidate only who is honored
by nomination and election in the case of
MIR. Billings the State would also gain
prestige, and every voter and citizen would
feel glow of honest pride in seeing man
occupying the executive chair who not only
could creditaby perform the ordinary rou-
tine work of the office, but would be equal to
any possible emergency of duty.
lhe'e II Que way In WINCH uhuet our
loru, vi government tne nuiiiolesI Ci'ileh
eau heip 10 hohor nls hatlVe otaie' ihat is
III supporting Tue strongest ana pest men lor
oince' Nellnout mas won sonie circuit III
tunes pas. 'or Wise PoucF III tIis regard
aiiionS NJ, olslei ota'ee, espCcIaIIl III ,ue
selecti9h Vi representatives III congress Tro-
lessor Dto"n, Ill his IecenI audress COM
IheniolaliVc vi the iaie Heoree Marsh'
pays our o'ate tne lollowlng gracelul com
Piiueut re" ota'es nave eAetteu uiore
oeneuc al influence IN lhe hatiohal counclls
than vermont. Ids somewhat eXtraordin-
airy inhuehce' lar beyond Whal ner size, or
commercial importance woulu suggest, sne
owes lareely 10 Tue lacl ttlal sue mas almeu
10 pace III lhose couhclls her pest clt'Zens-
men OF learning integrity ana eminent
apll'ly-and haVits learned lhelr wolth mas
Deeh Wise e1ough not 10 thro" away thelr
dearly bought experience, out mas held them
10 long term OF service WINE the weight
and knowIedoe and noIit,cai yisdom has
grown with every year"
1t only remains to apply the same policy to
our State officers, especially in the selection
of governor, the highest executive office in
the gift of the people. Much might be said
as to the superior fitness of MIR. Billings Tor
the office in question, but 1t is scarcely nee
essary, as il is everywhere, we believe, fully
conceded. Mr.. Billings is a man of national
reputation, of broad and comprehensive
mind, enriched by liberal and elegant cul-
ture, and at the same time trained to practi-
cal affairs, and familiar with the latest
achievements of industrial and Commercial
enterprise He left his Vermont home at an
early age to seeek his fortune in the then
newly acquired national domain on the Paci-
fic coast. Having prospered in his efforts
beyond the lot of most men, he returned in
the ripe maturity of his powers to fix his
residence amid the scenes OF his boyLood and
the society Of his kindred. He brought with
him the wellearned fruits of professional
and business success, and out OF generous
heart is scattering bis benefactlons among us
with liberal hand. More than that he
brings to US an Intelligence cosmopolitan in
its breadth OF view, ripened frem an eX-
perience and observation OF twenty years
over field as broad as the continent itself,
From the VI. Caroncle.l
:, :, wall rndor,,ood ,b,, Afr pn,irc. 10