The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1886-03-24
Vermont Politics.
JUDGE POLAND ON THE SENATE ISSUE

JUDGE POLAND ON THE SENATE ISSUE.
During the recent visit of Hon. L. p.
Poland to Vermont, he gave his views on
the issue between the President and senate
to several leading republicans, one of whom
has furnished the following statement of
them to the st. Adams MESSENGER. Judge
Poland said: "The senate undoubtedly has
the right to require the production of all
the papers on file in the departments relat-
ing to the removal and appointment of fed
eral officers. The practical questions are,
first How are they going to get them? and,
second, What good would it do them if they
should get them? Senator Edmunds is in
favor of going all lengths in asserting the
rights OF the senate-issuing subpnnas duces
tecum to the members of the cabinet, if not
to the President himself, and even threaten
ing the terrors of impeachment. But the re-
publican senators will not follow his lead
into such fight. They may assert the dig
nifty and rights of the senate by requesting
the production of the papers, and will there
stop, leaving the President and the cabinet
to sustain the effect of a refusal upon the
minds of the public. The causes which ac-
tuate Mr.. Edmunds are well known to his
brother senators. They understand that his
mugwump course in 1884 discredited him in
Vermont, and that he is out-Herodinp
Herod in the stalwartness of his republ-
canism in his efforts to regain his standing
with the party at home. They do not pro-
pose to get into a ridiculous quarrel with
the executive in order that Mr. Edmunds
may pose before the country as the most re-
publican of republicans and obtain a re-
election to the senate. There is no practical
use in having a fight with the President
over the offices. In the first place, the i'm
portant offices ought to be possessed by the
party in power. In the second place, nothing
in the tenure-of-office act can prevent it.
Much valuable time which should have been
devoted to important and necessary legisla-
ton has already been wasted by the senate
under the lead of Mr.. Edmunds, who, by
the way, has always professed the utmost
contempt for offices and said that their dis
tribution was beneath the dignity of states
man. Yet he is now moving heaven and
earth to make point upon the very things
which he has always pretended to despse.'
THE STATE CAMPAIGN.
The Rutland Herald reviews the proba-
bilities of the next republican candidacy for
governor, saying a good word for each of
the gentlemen who have been named in that
connection, and concludes the article as
follows: 1T is frequent remark that
probably the more absorbing importance of
the senatorial campaign, if there is to be
one, Will influence the selection of candi-
dates for governor and ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This does not seem probable to us. There
is no reason why it should be so. The
gentlemen spoken of for the governorship
atorial candidates, and it is certain that the
friends and supporters OF each are divided
IN their preferences on that question. The
state cannot be divided into hostile camps.
Different causes ought to stand upon their
own reasons, and they probably will. There
may be little trading, but that is not char
acteristic of Vermont republicans in dispos-
ing OF the more important matters presented
for their action. Anything of the sort, or
which will in the least degree lower the
dignity that ought to attach to the chief
magistracy of this state, so long adorned by
men who have been representative of the
PLAIN and self-respecting people, will GER
tainly be frowned upon by the friends of
Mr. Ormsbee and doubtless by those of any
other candidate, named or unnamed. 1t is
NOT likely that any questions of public policy
Will hinge upon the governorship, except
the predominant one pertaining to the office
ltself-the selection of the best man from the
many who are suitable. The campaign,
therefore, while necessarily personal, should
be, and doubtless will be, dignified and pleas
ant, leaving no sting behind"
THE Policy OF PRESCRIPTION.
A correspondent of the Bennington Ban
her protests against " the attempt In certain
quarters TO prescribe republicans who are
suspected OF not being in accord with
Senator Edmunds' course in the last cam
paign." lie says this policy tends TO injure
.hS prospectus VI WI IIuiutlItlS anu TO greatly
damage the, republican party of the state
and that the attempt to run our coming
republican state, county and town cOnyen-
tons and caucuses on that issue is sure to
inJure the candidate riding it, as well as to
ALLEVIATE many friends of Mr. Edmunds."
In some comments on this letter. the Banner
says: We believe with our correspondents
that any plan of reading out Of the party by
the friends of Mr.. Edmunds OF those re.
publicans who criticise his conduct will
react upon themselves. Such a course of
prescription is the very thing they are ac-
cusing the opponents of our senator of doing
Furthermore, the republican party in Yer |
mont will resent any intmation of the pack |
ing OF caucuses, conventions, etc, by |
whomsoeVer attempted. We do not believe |
IT possible for any class of our citizens to de- |
nberately plan to pack our legislature in ia |
vor of anybody and succeed, The men of Yer
mont are made of different material.
AS to the criticism upon Mr. EdmuHds'
course in the last campaign, we hold that |
no man or cause, however great, is too pure
or too exalted to escape IL. If the cause is |
good, the more it is discussed pro and con the
better If evil then it should be ventilated.
II the acts of our senator are discussed in
the press, then If he is what his friends
claim him to be, the ability and greatness of
his service will stand out all the more in
bold relief Senator Edmunds is no party
TO any issues now raised in his name. We
assert this without consultation with him.
because IL IL not likely he would stoop to
any such means, The democracy may run
heir campaigns on personal issues If they
please, but the republican party of Vermont
$ actuated by higher motives; it contends
or principles, and then chooses its best
men TO represent those principles. This is
Why Vermont has always commanded the
llace she fills in the national councils, and
here is no danger of retrograde move