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

that position, rather than to give it to
any other man in the state.-Burling-
ton Independent, September q.
WHILE there may be differences of
opinion as to the matter OF promotion
or non-promotion, we think the best
people of the state will concur with us
in the statement that executive ability
should be the test always for fitness to
the highest executive position within
the gift of the people of this common
wealth. Try all the candidates by this
test, and let the one that comes the
nearest to filling the requirements have
the nomination. This plan would in
sure to the state executives who would
be credit and an honor to it. Unfor-
tunately for the state, however, no such
test is ever, nor is it likely to be, APP
piled. Instead of wire-pulling, per-
sonal pull, Doodle and number of other
equally Objectionable forces are utilized
to the success of the candidate of me-
diocre ability, as against the more hon
est methods of the filter antagonist
Fair Hduen Era.
To sum the matter up, it is our
opinion that the coming chief mags-
trate of Vermont should be selected
with reference to the duties that will
be upon him in that position. The
only way in which we can judge of
what man will do in respect to the
economy of the state is in looking at
the practical way in which he conducts
his own business. The people have
had an occasion to see the work of Mr..
Page of Hyde Park (who is among the
candidates suggested) in respect to his
own business, and in connection with
the finances of the state. Therefore,
as we are at present impressed, we
think he is peculiarly fitted for the
place, and, Notwithstanding the discus
sions that are being had, we believe
that the people were looking to him
for that place with a spontaneity which
existed before any discussion was had,
and independent of it.-EsseD County
Herald.
EDITOR ROPES of the Montpelier
Watchman published last week the re-
suit of the replies to his circular adj
dressed to prominent republicans re-
garding the advisability of promoting
acknowledgements to governors. He
says, in brief, that large number of
replies have been received, and that
two-thirds, or siXty-seven per cent, are
opposed to promotion, twelve per cent
are not opposed, and the balance are
non-committal, argumentative, etc. In
one respect Mr.. Ropes has done we'll
in setting people to thinking. But
whether the movement is to benefit
anybody in particular is to be doubted.
The republican nominating convention
is long way off yet, and there is am
pie time for the changing of very many
opinions. A number of candidates
for governor have already been men
toned in some of the papers, among
the most prominent being Lieutenant
governor Woodbury. of Burlington,
Hon. G. S. Page of Hyde Park and
Hon. j. X. Batchelder of Arlington.
We do not know that either is to be a
candidate, and have no authority to
mention the name of any one. In all
probability there will be candidates
enough for that office to select from
when the time comes, and the last to
be mentioned is liable to be first in the
race.-St Adams Messenger.
AS it is already understood the promi-
nent candidates will be Woodbury.,
Page, Batchelder and possibly Judge
Royce, the contest may narrow down
to Colonel Woodbury. and Mr.. Page.
Both gentlemen are self-made men, pos
sessing marked business ability, and
should they enter the canvass both
would 90 in to win. Colonel Wood
bury will have two objects to contest
against of more or less Importance.
The first is, that his nomination in the
opinion of many citizens would be a
return to the system of promoting
acknowledgement to the position of
governors. Whether opposition on this
ground will prove strong or not is a
question which cannot be definitely
stated at this time, although it is under
stood that the friends of Colonel Fuller,
on whom the promotion rule was
broken, stand ready to oppose anything
tending in that direction for some years
to come. Colonel Woodbury's other
weakness lies in the fact that an i'm
preston has gone out that there is a
"ring" in which some leading poll.
ticians, including the new collector of
customs, are prominent and will back
Colonel Woodbury.. On the other
hand if such combination really does
exist, it would be an element oil
strength which could not be sneezed at
if it saw fit to exercise it's strength
Colonel Woodbury. was a gallant sol
der and this is fact that will not be
lost sight of in the canvass. Mr.. Page
is we'll known throughout the state
He has held number of public offices
and made one of the best inspectors O.
finance that Vermont ever had.-Bur
lington Clipper, September 10.
IT was evident that the non-promo
ton rule then in 1856 established b,
very general consent met with thu
hearty approval of large majority o
republicans of the state, and we be
lieve there has been no material chang,
since in public sentiment on the ques
ton. Probably no doubt would be ere
ated on the subject now but for tn,
efforts made in a certain quarter to Sc
cure a reversal of the policy definitel,
established in 1886, for the especia
benefit of our lieutenant-governor who
it is currently reported, desires promo
ton to the governorship. We are o