The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1886-08-19

Last week we discussed the candl-
dates nominated by the republican par
ty for the various political Offices to be
filed this fall, with the exception of
town representatives, and expressed our
opinion Of them honestly and pretty
freely; and now we think il may not be
amiss to call attention briefly TO the
more important issues to be decided.
There has never been time since we
have taken an active interest in politics
when these issues were, in our opinion,
so vital to the welfare of the people of
Vermont, nor when the people them
selves were SO thoroughly wide awake
about them as now. We will speak of
them in turn:
/. First in importance both to the
State and nation, is the election of a
United States Senator to succeed Sen
ator Edmunds; because on this depends
whether Vermont shall still maintain
her high position at the head of the
most august legislative body in the
world or drop into the rear and hence
forth have influence in proportion to
her territorial insignificancc. A more
disgraccful and intensely venomous can
vas against any man was never made
than the one now i'll progress against
Senator Edmunds on the part of Gov.
Smith and his bought up and subsidized
newspapers, and Of his free pass and
trained ring supporters. Under any
ordinary condition of things such vigor-
Gus efforts as have been put forth and
such vile means as has been resorted to
would have been successful; but for
tunately the PEOPLE caught on 10 the
little game of the conspirators in season
to thwart it. And thwarted it will be,
beyond question, if the voters MAIN
tain their present activity until election
day.
2. The necessary railroad legislation
to protect the people against the ell
croachments and expressions of the rail
road monopolies undoubtedly ranks Sc
cond in Importance among the issues to
be decided. An effective railroad COM
mission, such as exists in Massachusetts
and other states, and not q mere sham,
such us our railroad bosses will try to
palm off Oh the people, is among the
measures loudly demanded by the whole
people,--so loudly indeed, that the bos-
scs themselves have heard it and trem-
bic. Some kind of bill is forcgone
conclusion; the only question is, shall it
be sham, Or measure capable of af-
fording the needed relief and protec-
ton? And this depends entirely on
whether or not the people send repre-
sentatives to Montpelier who cannot be
bribed by money or free passes, or fool
ed and led around by Gov. Smiths lob
by. Coupled with the commission bill,
it goes whiting saying that there should
be an effective short haul bill, to sup
press one favorite form of injustice
and oppression practiced by the rail-
roads.
4. Next in order comes the free pass
scandal and abomination. We have
discussed this whole subject SO often
and so fully as to leave very little to
add now. In Gov Smiths hands the
free pass has been an immense power
for evil and only evil. 1t has done more
to lower the standard of political integ-
rity and to corrupt public morals than
any other abuse that has prevailed in
this State. 1t ought to be forbidden by
law under heavy penalties and so
wiped out Of existence; and the people
mean it shall be. No member of the
legislature can take up more Just
or popular cause than this, or one that
will evoke more hearty and apprecia-
tive response from the people.
Voters, these are the vital issues, and
no man should be chosen to the legisla-
ture who is not heartily in favor of
each and every one of them. Look to
your representations, then, in every
town, and give no man your vote who
cannot be trusted to support each and
every one of these measures.