Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1892-04-21

to be Col Levi K. Fuller OF Brattleboro
He is anerally conceded, even by tn
most enthusiastic supporters, to be MAJ
OF no commanding abilities or especial,
attractive qualities. His early allianc'
with the Estey family-Mrs. Fuller is
daughter of the late Deacon Estey-gav,
him exceptional business opportunities
which he has improved. He has made 8
wise and unselfish use of some of his
wealth, particularly in the betterment oi
the Vermont academy at Saxton's River
which is one of the deservedly popular in
stitutions of the state. But still, admit.
ting that he is a capable business man and
that he makes good use OF the money
which his business tact brings him, he is
not one whom the people of their own
motion would have been likely ever to
call to take the place to which he is anxious
to have them elect him.
But the eastern half Of the state is not
lacking in men who would be credit to
the commonwealth il any one of them was
elected governor. There is for instance,
the present lieutenant-governor Henry A..
Fletcher of Cavendish, a modest, sensible
man. In Legislative experience he is the
superior OF Col. Fuller, having represented
his town in the House five times, besides
presiding over the Senate at the last ses-
sion. He was a ldier and a good one.
lie is a farmer by occupation, and he
makes farming pay. He is broad guage
man in all respects and would fairly and
suitably represent the inhabitants of YER
mont at Chicago or anywhere else. Then
over at Woodstock is Lawyer w. Z. john
son, leader in Is profession, clean, hon
est, well informed and of fine presence
and cultivated mind, the peer of almost
any OF the eminent men who have brought
honor to the state in the past and are do
ing it now. Fortunately for him, but un-
fortunately for the public service OF the
state, he inherited some wealth, married
more and has made still more, so that pri-
vate affairs have taken his attention.; nor
is he ambitious for office At Newport is
another lawyer, Charles A. Prouty, young
er than either of the others named, but
even now not far from the best of his pro-
fession in the state. He is a gentleman, a
scholar of wide and varied attainments,
an ineisive speaker and brilliant man,
than whom none within our borders is
more likely to become famous in public
life. These are some of the men whom
over-th mountain brethren might bring
to the front, but they are not all.
Two things demand the consideration
both of the people and of the politicians
just at this crisis. One is that Col. Fuller
is not the only possible choice for head of
the ticket, as seems to be assumed because
his friends make all the noise that is
heard; and, second, what will be the ef-
feet of allowing Col. Fuller to get himself
nominated? II may not be seen by the
active managers of state politics. but il is
fact that the plain folk are fast becom-
ing disgusted with their operations. They
are tired and sick OF manufactured booms,
systematically planned and faithfully car
ried out by an army of small but indus
trious strikers, who caper up and down
the state to d. their masters bidding and
to persuade the voters that the common
wealth will go TO smash unless their man
is chosen. Two years ago it was bad
enough, and because one of the candidates
would not adopt the schemes of his adver-
sary he failed, although il is doubtful
whether the majority of the voters were
not la favor Of the man who wasn't elect
ed. But, however that may have been, the
gentleman who succeeded had genuine
ability that could but commend him to
the people in spite OF his methods, and
the administration he has given them has
shown that they were not wrong in their
estimate. The modern boom method may
be cheerful way OF getting at 1t for the
candidate who has the biggest boom; but
if this practice is allowed to go on indeti-
nitely It will result in putting the govern
orship and all the rest of the offices out of
the reach of any except men of wealth.
Rich men are not necessarily bad men, but
on the other hand are quite as apt to be
bright and efficient as moor men; and yet
in community mad p as in Vermont
it will not do to let ii oecome an establish
ed rule of iaith and practice that only
rich men can hold offices. And so the cam
didacy of Col. Fuller is reprehensible, not
so much on account of the man as because
of his methods.
Too much strength is sometimes worse
for persons and parties than too little and
il those who manage the affairs of the Re-
publican party of our State are not careful
its strength may become a source OF weak
ness. At this time one fact is pretty clear
and should be borne in mind by those
who would push Col. Fuller to the head,
and that is, If he succeeds in his raid for
the governorship nomination, fhe Repub
lican majority OF the State next fall will
not be large, and the whole campaign will
be apathetic, tame and lifeless. Give YER
mont Republicans a leader for whom some
enthusiasm can be aroused because of what
he is rather than because of what he has
and the procession will move with its old
time pace and vigor, but they won't march
worth cent with a self-nominated COM
mander whose qualifications for the place
are, to say the least, not of a pronounced
ype.-Middlebury Register.
The Vermont Fish and Game League has
issued neat pamphlet containing a COM
pilation of the fish and game laws OF this
state, and including, also, the Constitu-
tion, Bylaws, list OF officers and members
and other interesting dates pertaining to
the League The objects OF this League