The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1891-01-07

MAN took in opposition to the five per
cent exemption bill and the other mort
gage exemption measures which were
before the legislature at its recent ses-
sion, and to the work of the paper at
previous sessions, Major VIM says:
Vermont owes a debt to you who, of all
her editors, have almost alone defended the
truth in your discussion of this great ques-
ton. She will recognize the debt when the
political economy of taxation comes to be
better understood think you will always
win, because you stand on solid ground, and
trust it is a partial compensation to be
able to stand alone among the press and
win. The people of Vermont are very much
in the situation of the farming portion of
Massachusetts, How the farmers feel here,
from Berkshire to Cape Cod, you may see
from the enclosed slip. There are several
members of the legislature elected on the
tax issue, and it will be prominent before
long"
a veteran in the unofficial service of
the people, close observer of the course
of events for the last quarter of a CEN
tury, writes:
1" sympathize fully with your disgust at
the action of the senate on the college bill
But | expected nothing else. AS to the
farmers, if our Legislature met next year it
might be possible to unhorse Buckham
but | expect to see the bottom all out of the
farmers movement before he can again be
attacked. Their leaders will betray them
all around, and they will go back into their
holes in sullen disgust This l am speak
ing of the farmers all over the country.
What / think of our own farmers you
know. When ! see men like
- -, and others whom | have re-
spected, going against free industrial col
lege, give up Vermont to the dogs. =
You are certainly making most excellent
paper, and think the influence and stand
ing of the WATCHMAN has been greatly en-
HANGED since you took charge of it. hear
it spoken of frequently by intelligent men,
as rejecting much credit upon its party and
the state
Make note of this, farmers of Ver-
mont, and nurse your righteous wrath
till 1892; then let it blaze forth. Break
the record, as our correspondent writes
it-and he can hardly be impeached.
A former resident of the state, &C
lively identified with the progressive
element, writes from western city:
" | read the DAILY JOURNAL with inter-
est, and to a certain extent in following
your work l could live over again some
of our past experiences. From what [ was
able to gather from the JOURNAL it seems
to me that the results OF the session would
have been rather disappointing to such in
the state as are really interested in its well
fare. The decisions reached on the educa-
tional BILL the college bill and the iudge
question seem difficult to reconcile in the
genuine interest for the prosperity of the
state L could but admire the sturdy work
which the JOURNAL did on these questions,
and could but regret that its efforts did not
meet with more hearty response in the
legislature. 1t seems to me that the repre-
sentation of the supreme bench of Vermont
must rapidly decline There seems to be a
very wide gap between - and
-, on the one hand, and Poland, Il IT,
ret, ct al, on the other. 1t would not sur
prise me if there should be somewhat of a
revolution in Vermont politics in the course
OF the next two years. L should think that
the agricultural element would assert itself
and make its power felt"
Here, too, is abundant food for re dec
ton and gir pse of Vermont's virtue,
wisdo u and judiciary as others see it.
Will there Z" be a revolution in Yer
mont politics in the course of the next
two years -? Will "the agricultural
element assert itself and make its power
felt -? Not to unduly multiply these
extracts, we will close with the follow
ing, of a somewhat different character,
from the southwestern corner of the
state:
Herewith | enclose $500 in payment
for the CHRONICLE, and the VERMONT
WATCHMAN in addition. We have had the
reading of the WATCHMAN during tue past
year, and like its outspoken advocacy of
iiShu PiihSiDiuo' Oui newspapers IL
power for good or evil, and educate public
opinion more, perhaps, than any other in
structors. For myself, l am always ashamed
as well as Disguised to see paper modify
truth or gloss over fasehood in order
to retain or gain favor. See how the Rut-
land Herald has shown the influence of one
paper in stirring up the people to consider,
If, after all, high license may not be better
than prohibition. Now that the people are
considering this subject, the other papers
must keep the principles and facts in the
case before the people, to enlighten and sus-
tain wavering minds that are tossed about
by every wind of doctrine.
Here is symposium of opinion from
diverse quarters on diverse matters of
greatest importance. Our friends may
tread, mark and inwardly digest" All
are written without thought of pub
LEGATION, and all contain the breezy free
| dom and freshness of nriyate COrre-