The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1892-03-23
Concerning the Governorship.

which candidates should be chosen,
have taken position, and the present
outlook is for a contest more or less
angular rather than for duel, as was
the case in 1890 AS is apt to be the
case in any political canvass, some
strenuous partisans, adapting their
utterances to new conditions, are
Illustrating anew what Inconsistencies
can obtain, and what irrelevant things
can be educed to fortty new positions
and TO meet new emergencies.
One contemporary, for example, in
sists that the candidate must be Sc
lected with direct reference to his
quality as a vote-wlnner. Paramount
state interests, special duties to be per-
formed, or particular service to be rem
dered in the next biennial term, are of
secondary importance. The touch
stone of pre-eminent fitness must be,
How many votes can be polled for the
candidate on the day of election
Other contemporaries "view with
alarm" the alleged activity of candi-
dates in their own canvass. Homilies
are published on the improperly of
office-seeking, and eulogies are pro-
nounced on those who seem to stand
and wait. All these things have an
old familiar sound.
The vote-winner in Vermont in presi-
dental year is he whom the republic
cans nominate for the Office of chief
executive of the nation. If he has the
confidence and arouses the enthusiasm
of the people of Vermont, he wins
their votes. Was the majority of
$4,000 for Farnham, in 1880, at
tributable to his personal magnetism
and popularity, or was it due to burn
ing enthusiasm for CART Id and the
great principles he represented Was
the majority of 21,S50 for Colonel Pin
gree, in 1884, assignable to any flaw in
the worthy and gallant candidate for
governor in that year, or was it due
to causes growing out of the nomina-
ton the republicans had made for
president ? These elections strikingly
illustrate the truth of our proposition.
Placed in juxtaposition, they fully an
swer the vote-winner argument. Given
candidate for president who COM
mands the united and cordial support
of the men of Vermont, with any good
representative republican as the candi-
date for governor, and the states GUS
tomary majority is assured.
Four years ago Vermont had Pc
culiar interest in the nominee for presi-
dent, and a peculiar responsibility was
placed upon her. Her delegation led
the Harrison column at Chicago, and to
the steadfastness of its support his final
triumph was in some large measure
due. The democracy held the presi-
dency. The industrial welfare of the
country was the issue. Political power
lost in 1884, must be recovered. Mr.
Proctor had pledged Vermont for 10000
majority for Harrison, and the repnb.
licans of the state entered with un.
wonted ardor into the canvass to re.
deem this pledge. To these things
primarily, Vermont's splendid major
ity in 1888 is assignable. 1t will be sc
again in 1892, whomsoever the nominee
for governor may be.
Now as to the self-seeking accusa
ton. 1t is no dishonor to aspire to the
office of governor and to WOO it by al
honorable means. How often in tn,
history of the state has any Office
from a United States senatorshiI
down through the entire list, beer
without an ardent aspirant who ha,
entered directly and personally int
the canvass for his nomination O
election? Twice did Mr.. Morril
enter personally and with unsleep
ing diligence into the canvass for tn,
high office he now holds. Letters, i'm
pOiiuhitiCo, POioohdi dPPOaio, hCWopa
per articles, were scattered all over tn
state thick as snowflakes in a Marc
squall, both by the present eminen
senator and his brilliant rival, Judg
Poland. The history of arduous con
tests for the office of representative i
congress need not be rehearsed. Rarel
has the office of governor been thrus
unbidden upon citizen. From tn
beginning of biennial elections-fror
Stewart and Billings to Page and Wood
bury-the office has been the object c
personal ambition and sometimes {
bitter contention. In the present car
vass our contemporary of the Ludlo
Tribune in particular upbraids candidat
Fuller for his ambition to occupy th
office, but the Ludlow editor two year
, ago was super jealous partisan Of tn
! present executive, whose desire to b
: governor was not conceived in a ds
: or born without travail, and who, if "