The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1890-10-22
November Elections.


posed by Senator Jennings Thursday is
an exceedingly important matter. 1t
proposes to hold the state election at
time of the presidential election, that
is, on the Tuesday after the first Mon
day in November; and sessions of the
legislature would begin on the first
Wednesday of the following January.
The voters of this state are so accus-
toned to the September election and
fall sessions of the legislature that we
fancy it would take some time to get
used to the new way. Vermont would
hardly be Vermont without the oppor-
tunity to fire the first gun in presiden-
tial elections. There are many things
to be said on both sides of the question.
For the change, it will be urged that in
presidential years the work and strain
of getting out as many voters as possible
in September, for no other purpose
than to strike keynote for the ma
tional election, could be dispensed with,
and but one assembly at the polls in
those years, instead of two, would be
necessary. This would be clear gain
in time aud effort to both parties and
in expense to the state. Then again,
the farmers of the state would have
more time in November to devote to
an election than they have in Septem-
Der. In the latter month pleasant
day will keep many from the polls.
This was the case this year, and to the
beautiful weather of election day the
smallness of the republican majority is
undoubtedly due in large part. More
over, the sessions of the Legislature in
terfere seriously with the work of the
farm. The large number of represent
atives who are farmers understand how
this is. In the winter time, on the
other hand, there is an abundance of
time for legislative duties. The time
intervening between the election and
the converting of the legislature
would be longer, and better prepare
ton could be made by members elect
for the work of the session. AS
work on them, members have little or
no time to devote to study of the mat
ter which they are obliged to decide in
the short session of two months.
But there are two sides to the ques-
ton. The state has not followed its
time-honored custom these many years,
for no other reason than that it began
as it did. There are positive benefits
in the existing order of things. In the
first place, the state is given political
prestige all through the country in
presidential years by its early elections.
As republican state, it has been "as
fixed and constant as the North Star"
BY its sturdy and unwavering loyalty
to the party of progress it has done a
real service to the country. This serv-
ice has cost time and sacrifice, but it
NAV well be considered service that
was worth all it cost Is the state, as
represented by the republican party,
prepared to give up its prestige?
Put the election over to November,
and Vermont will become a cipher
as a political influence. The incon-
venience of travelling in winter time
and the unpleasantness of being away
from home for any length of time in
the cold months are also considerations
that will have weight on the question
The change would quite likely result
in longer sessions. The complaint in
many states is that the sessions are
far too long, and this is apt to be
the case unless some limit, either lega
or one of precedent, like thanks
giving day, is fixed. If the amendment
is not adopted at this session, the ex
perience of New Hampshire next win
ter can be noted with profit. 1t is {
larger question than it would be in
some other states. Until it is clearly
shown that it would be wise to make
the change, the safer way is to stanC
where we are.