Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1886-05-28
THE GOvERNORSHIP.
From the Rutland Herald. ]

The gubcrnatOrlal canvass has been
very quiet of late, so far as the press is
concerned, but evidence accumulates that
Lieutenant Governor Ormsbee Is pre-
ferred by a large majority of leading Re
publcanS. His friends, who have taken
it upon them to make inquiries, receive
surprises almost every day in assurances
of support from men who had been
claimed as advocates of the nomination
of Mr.. Batchelder. Two counties east of
the mountains. which had been claimed
a. solid for Mr.. Batcheder, give indica-
tions of large preponderance for Nr.
Ormsbee. The same favor is shown in
nearly all the counties. -
The boasted ''lead" of Mr.. Batchelder
in the early days of the canvass has not
only disappeared, but his candidacy is
Enthusiastically waning. The proclama-
ton by his friends that he is a supporter
of Senator Edmunds came too late to
win favor from men not committed and
too early to meet with approval from
some of his adherentS who were pro-
nounced against the Senator. This rap
idly vanishing anti-Edmunds faction ap-
pears to have been divided and possibly
Subdivided by Mr.. Batchelder's declara-
tion. Some say they will have nothing
more to do with him and are looking for
Il dark horse. some others are bewildered
and awaiting events. but the leaders wink
and say nothing, which probably means
that they consented in advance that such
a declaration should be made, considering
| ii necessary.
This fact and the character and EN-
ploymentS of some of these leaders,
show to the discerning that Mr.. Batchel-
ders candidacy l. part of long pro-
gramme of public control in behalf of
interests that are not common to the
whole people. His election as Speaker
of the House of Representatives had the
same support, and it was often remarked
by members of the legislature that his
appointments and rulings took note of
1.-THE power behind the throne" 1t is not
the first time in the political history of
Vermont that such events have occurred
but they have happened once too many
times to pass uncnallenged when an eff
fort is made to advance the chief agent
to Il higher position of subserviency
Men who are solictous for changes in
our laws in relation to corporations and
public commissions are resolved that the
veto power and the appointing power
shall be in the hands of Il friend of the
people who, while hostile to no interest
is obligated to none, and whose private
and professional life, a. well as his pub
lie services, give assurance of honor and
impartiality in administration.
Such man is Mr.. OrInsbee. Nothing
has been said against him; nothing can
he. HonOred most where he is best
known. he enjoys respect and confidence
everywhere and grows upon acquain-
tance. Occasionally somebody who has
not known him says ''Let Vermont
choose an ideal governor, take one of hel
older and more noted men-.Judge Po
land, Judge Barrett or Judge Prout-anC
thus find a worthy successor to men like
Judge Williams, Judge Hall and Judge
Peck" This would do if either OF
these eminent gentlemen combined witt
strength IA willingness to serve, or, t.
change the arrangement of the words
combined strength with willingness
But they are nor available: and TO those
who know them and do not know Mr.
Ormsbee, it should be sufficient assurance
that at least two of them regard him Il.
amply qualified to be governor and to fiji
the office with such learning, dignity anC
honor aS have rarely been surpassed anC
not always equalled in our civic history
The feeling that he is too young, how
ever, is not universal, for only last weel
a journal in the Connecticut valley OBJ
jected that he is too old, and put in al
argument for Mr. Batcheder on tn,
ground of 'giving the boys a chance
Now Mr. Ormsbee is neither too young
nor too old, but is Just right, a happy
medium, and we shall all be happy if W.
make him the medium of expression ol
the public policy that we wish to enforce
during the next two wears.