News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1888-04-05
MR.. HARRIS REPLY.
BRATTLEBoRo, March 10, Isss

MR.. HARRIS REPLY.
BRArTLEBoRo, March 10, 1888.
Hon. g. g. Benedict =
NV Dear Sir Il beg to acknowledg,
the receipt of your kind letter of the lit
inst. While have been aware, of course
that have been mentioned informally il
connection with the governorship, hav
had no purpose or wish to be candidat
for that office unless it should becom
apparent during the progress of the usua
preliminary canvass that l could, in tina
way, be useful in promoting certain re
forms in State legislation and administra
ton which deem essential to the public
welfare, and which believe large ma
jority of the people earnestly desire Il
see accomplished. Among these are:
/. a more comprehensive and effective
system of railroad supervision, through
statutory requirements and larger dis
cretionary powers lodged with the rail-
road commissioners not to abridge moi
in any way interfere with the just rights
privileges and functions of the railroads
themselves they should be fostered
che most potent Factor In material
prosperity,-but to insure safety and
equal and exact justice and protection to
ali cities without discrimination or ia
voritism.
2. The entire abolition of free passes,
and the exaction, from all persons for
whom transportation of any kind is per-
formed, of a reasonable and uniform
compensation for the same or similar
services. The free pass, always object
ionable because a favoritisn to the re-
ceiver and an injustice to those who pay,
is especially obnoxious when used by
Legislators and State officers whose official
acts may have to do with railroad rights
and interests.
3. A thorough revision and unification
of the laws relating to common schools.
1t is apparent that something ought 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 con-
sciences of all good citizens.
4. The changed conditions (wrought
mainly by what nevertheless has proved
to be our greatest material blessing, the
railroad) by which population has been
rapidly concentrated into the large towns
and cities, with the consequent tendency
to depopulation and impoverishment OF
farming districts, present grave problem
for governmental as well as individual
solution. Farming Is, and, e the State is
still to thrive, must continue to be, our
leading industry and the foundation of
our prosperity. "What can the State
properly do to encourage and sustain
the vital industryF' is a question that
may we'll engage the earnest attention
not only of lawmakers but of all thought
full men and women.
1 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-time- Republican
majorities for national as well 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 manifest a
living interest; and that at this time,
it would be the worst possible
policy for the managers Ofthe 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-invelved in the right solu- |
ton of the problems of railroad trans
portation and supervision. The only
sure way to secure and retain the appTo-
baton of an intelligent people is to de-
serve 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 election
who will deal honestly, intelligentlv and
fearlessly with these and kindred prob
lens, and that the friends of reform
should be thoroughly and cordially unit
ed, both as regards the issues and can
didates to be supported, and not invite
defeat through needless divisions. One
candidate for each position to be filled is
enough for those who seek the same
ends.
And now a word in direct response to
your inquiry. Having good reasons for
believing with you that one gentleman
and favorably mentioned as
a suitable candidate for Governor (Mr.
is in substantial accord with
me regarding these reforms, L promptly
avail myself of the opportunity your let
ter gives me to withdraw my name from
the list of suggested candidates. While
not ungrateful for the many kind express
sions of confidence and personal good
will that have come to me from all parts |
of the State, am yet quite content, be-
lieve me, leaving to others the excite |
ment, contentious, anxieties and honors |
of Office getting-to remain an indepen- |
dent, though not an uninterested, private
citizen.
Very sincerely, your obedient servant,
b. d. HARRIS.