The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1890-12-24
The Waterman for 1891.

The events of the past six months
have necessarily given something of
one-sidedness to the subjects of news
paper treatment. The campaign pre-
ceding the nomination of state officers
engrossed the attention of the people
and newspapers alike. Matters con-
nected with the state canvass and the
ensuing legislative session naturally de-
manded time ard space, almost to the
exclusion of other subjects. The holi-
day season with its exactions of space
will pass with this issue. We shall then,
we trust, be able to " balance up" the
various departments of the WATCHMAN
and impart again stronger general in
terest to its columns.
We believe the WATCHMAN has, in
many ways, so clearly proved its fidelity
to Vermont's interests, and proved its
title to popular confidence, that as
surances for the future will be supper
fuous. The WATCHMAN has Loyalty
stood by the people, and the people,
we are proud to say, are standing
steadfastly by the WATCHMAN.
The mass of the reading, rejecting
people of Vermont understand that the
contest for the regeneration of the state
has hardly begun; that the line of sub
stantial achievement has not yet been
reached and held. The mass of the
people have hitherto been relying on
the reasonableness of the things they
have, as body, demanded. Their OPP
ponents have put their faith in works,
and they have generally prevailed. The
people must learn lesson from their
adversaries. In the coming biennial
term they must take direct, active, in
dividual interest in the reforms and
progressive measures for which they
have commended. Organized effort must
take possession of the zeal, the deter
mination, the unorganized purpose that
have been once and again defeated in
nominating conventions, or at the polls,
or in the one or the other body of the
general assembly. This we believe has
been made reasonably clear by the de-
velopments of the past few weeks, if
there was any doubt about it before.
In its relation to this struggle for
wiser and more rational administration
of the state government, the WATCH
MANS course in the past is an earnest
of what may be expected of it in the
future. Our friends and subscribers
who would help on the work and con-
tribute to success when the battle is
again joined, can begin now by seeing
to it that their friends and neighbors
who are not now taking the WATCH
MAN are persuaded to subscribe. Out
side of the considerations presented
above, the inducements of our clubbing
list should make easy the work of pro-
curing subscriptions.
AS an agricultural paper, the WATCH
MAN, for the Vermont farmer, has no
superior DR.. Hoskns, the able editor
of the Farm and Garden department,
stands in the first rank of successful
and practical farmers, and of agricul-
tural writers.
AS family and local newspaper, pub
fishing only that which is wholesome as
well as entertaining and instructive,
giving only items of local news that are
of unquestionable authenticity, and
which are legitimate matters for publ
cation, the WATCHMAN has always held
a high rank. In these departments any
improvement or advancement will be
made that opportunity permits or that
liberal expenditure can secure. We in
tend that the WATCHMAN for 1891 shall
be far better paper than during any
previous year of its publication.