St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1888-04-05
THE GUBERNAToRIAL CANVASS.
MIR. Harris Withdraws His Name From
the List of Candidates.

THE GUBERNATORIAL CANVASS.
MIR. Harris Withdraws His Name From
the List of Candidates.
BURLINGTON, March IL, 1888.
Hon. b. ID. Harris, Brattleboro
Dear Sir In common with not few
Vermont republicans, l have hoped
that you might be the next republican
candidate for gOvernor-the prefer
ence, as far as l am concerned, being
due, certainly not so much to my per-
sonal friendship, as to the conviction
that you would make an honest, able
and acceptable governor. But L have
also, as you know, regretted that there
should be any competition for the NOM
inatiOn between two gentlemen who
represent such similar principles and
methods, and who have so many
friends in common, as yourself and Mr..
Dillingham;.
AS the time is approaching when the
matter should take definite shape,
venture to inquire what your present
attitude is in reference to the presen
tatiOn of your name, and | would be
glad to share with the public any in
formation you see fit to convey on the
subject.
With sincere respect, yours truly,
G.. G. BENEDICT.
MIR. HARRIS'S REPLY.
BRATTLEBoRo, March 10, 1888.
Hon. G. G. Benedict: My Dear Sir
beg to acknowledge the receipt of
your kind letter of the 18th inst.
While L have been aware, of course,
that [ have been mentioned informal
ly in connection with the governor
ship, have had no purpose or wish to
be candidate for that office unless it
should become apparent during the
progress of the usual preliminary can
vass that | could, in that way, be use
full in promoting certain reforms in
state legislation and administration
which | deem essential to the public
welfare, and which believe a large
majority of the people earnestly desire
to see accomplished. Among these
are:
[. A more comprehensive and eff
fective system of railroad supervision,
through statutory requirements and
larger discretionary powers lodged
with the railroad commissioners not
to abridge nor in any way interfere
with the just rights, privileges and
for they should be fostered as the
most potent factor in our material pros
perity, but to insure safety and equal
and exact justice and protection to all
citizens without discrimination or ia
voritism.
2. The entire abolition of free pass
es, and the exaction, from all persons
for whom transportation of any kind is
Of
form compensation for the same or
ways Objectionable because a favorit-
ism to the receiver and an injustice to
those who pay, is especially obnoxious
when used by legislators and state Of
ficers whose official acts may have to
do with railroad rights and interests.
3. A thorough revision and unifica-
ton of the laws relating to common
schools. 1t is apparent that something
ought speedily to be done to arrest the
downward tendency of our schools,
especially in the sparsely populated
districts. This subject should press
heavily on the thoughts and conscience
es of all good citizens.
4. The changed conditions Wrought
mainly by what nevertheless has prov
ed to be our greatest material bless
ing, the railroad by which population
has been rapidly concentrated into the
large towns and cities, with the cOnse-
quent tendency to depOpulation and
impoverishment of farming districts,
present Il grave problem for govern
mental as we'll as individual solution.
Farming is, and, if the state is still to
thrive, must continue to be our lead
ing industry and the foundation of our
prosperity. "What can the state prop
erly do to encourage and sustain this
vital industry 2" is Il question that may
well engage the earnest attention not
only of lawmakers but of all thought
full men and women.
| wholly disagree with those who
loudly insist that all cOntroverted state
issues must this year be kept in the
background lest, perchance, our usual
majority for presidential electors should
be diminished. On the contrary, | am
quite sure that the true way to keep
and increase our old republican
majorities for national as we'll as state
candidates is squarely and honestly to
meet and settle, at each successive
state election, all current, local and
state issues in which the people mani
fest living interest and that at this
time, especially, it would be the worst
possible policy for the managers of the
republican party to attempt to blink
out of sight questions so near to the
hearts and so vital to the welfare of
the people of this state as those in
volved in the right solution of the
problems of railroad transportation
and supervision. The only sure way
to secure and retain the appreciation of
an intelligent people is to deserve it.
So believing, my one earnest desire
has been, and is, that men should be
selected for executive and legislative
positions at the coming state elections
who will deal honestly, intelligently
and fearlessly with these and kindred
problems and that the friends of re-
form should be thoroughly and cordial
ly united, both as regards the issues
and candidates to be supported, and
not invite defeat through needless di-
visions. One candidate for each posi-
ton to be filled is enough for those
who seek the same ends.
And now word in direct response
to your inquiry. Having good reasons
for believing, with you, that one gen.
tleman prominently and favorably
mentioned as suitable candidate for
governor (Mr. Dillingham; is in sub
StaDtiol oooord with ma raOa I'd in o