The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1889-10-02

VasS OF the popular 1eellng In reference
to the advisability of going back to the
old regime of promoting lieutenant
governors to be governors is given in
another column, 1t is quite satsfac-
tory in showing that the popular heart
is opposed to going back to the old
Notwithstanding SITTER.
THE fact that man has held one of
the highest offices in the gift of the
state is of itself no reason why he
should be still further houored. On
the contrary, looking at the matter from
that standpoint alone, it is a good rea-
son why he should give way to others
of equal merit who have not attained
similar distinction.-V ergenneS Yer
mOnter.
If the lieutenant-governor is the best
of several men who want the governor
ship, there can be no harm in giving it
to him; but it would be folly to say that
every man who can get himself made
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS must be governor
also. There is no necessary connec-
ton between one office and the other,
and none ought to be allowed to grow
Middlebury Register.
THE people of Vermont are looking
for candidates for state officers who
have not close relations with political
bosses and who do not frequent the
headquarters of the state-house ring.
1t is not desirable to have any more Of
ficials of that sort. We have had them
in the past and have them now. Ver-
mont wants the governor of the people,
not of the political boss.-Poultney
Journal.
THE contest for the governorship next
year will be very spirited one unless
all signs fail. acknowledgements
Woodbury. seems to have the lead at
present. He is well endorsed by the
Burlington papers and he stands well
throughout the state. There are CO.
gent reasons urged for his nomination,
but by far the larger part of the state
has not vet been heard from, and the
question of who will win is an exceed
ingly doubtful one.-St. Adams Sentry.
ELSEWHERE we publish an article
from the Vermont Waterman in rela-
ton to the promotion of lieutenant
governor to gubernatorial Office. This
matter is receiving a thorough airing
at the hands of the press, and the peo-
pie should be awakened to the impor-
lance of the issue. Whether it is best
to promote a man who would accept
second position to the highest Office in
the gift of the people, or whether it
would better serve their interest
to choose the best man, regardless of
this time-honored custom, is for them
to archaeological VALLEY Times.
THE wisdom of promotion depends
upon the man, and fixed policy favor
able or unfavorable to promotion would
embarrass the party and might do in
justice to worthy individuals. What
the party should seek, and what the
people should demand, is the best,
most able and most competent man in
every public office; and the party and
the people should feel, and should be
free at all times to select, candidates
3 with reference to only one fixed pol
icy-that of securing the best available
, man for the place, the only considera-
) ton being that of fitness.-Rntland
t Herald.
I The real question would seem to be
4 whether nominations are made for the
t benefit and honor of the candidate
e alone or because he can be of more
= service to the people in that position
e than some other good citizen. If two
. |
y governor and two more as governor,
= four years in all, it is evident that only
! twenty-five men can be dubbed gov
$ ernor in whole century. Are the am
j bilious, aspiring men of any party glad
e to give so much honor to another as to
{ cut off all chance of such honor ever
i coming to Observation-Disclosures In
= dependent, September ID.
u OF the answers received by the
o Waterman, siXty-seven per cent are
e opposed to the return to the rule prior
a to 1856 of promotion of the lieutenant
t governor to the gubernatorial chair.
We believe this is sound doctrine, pro-
vided this theory is not also crystallized
into an unwritten law that in no in
@ stance should there be a promotion.
1t might occur that the one holding the
{ second place would be the choice of
e the people (by reason of fitness) for
n the first. But on general principles
: rotation in these two offices is an evil,
and the abrogation of the rule in 1856
was step in the right direction. The
D. press of the state, with few exceptions,
d are unite in this opinion. Benning-
n ton Banner.
D. THE Watchman states that the cir
" culars were sent out merely as a
piece of newspaper enterprise, and were
e not designed with view to favoring
any one candidate. This statement we
are bound to believe. Though many
g. of the men who oppose the " order OF
|, succession " are doubtless friendly to
o the present acknowledgement they
g will be obliged, when they get to the
o state convention, to oppose his nomina
:, ton in order to be consistent and tC
1t prevent return to the rule which they
# regard as unwise. Taking the answers
d to the Watchman'S query as represent
~ ing the sentiment of the state-ant
70 there is no reason why they should no
% be so considered-there seems bu
=, slight probability that Colonel Wood
y bury will receive the nomination fol
~ governor Vergennes Vermonter, Sep
~ TENDER 27.
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