Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1895-11-04
NO SECOND TERM FOR GOVERNOR.

Ex-Governor Stewart, who at the
late legislative reunion plead so
earnestly for the reelection of mem
bers Of the legislature goes a notch
higher. Last week he came out in
favor of the reelection of Gov.
Woodbury.. The Burlington Free Press
| of course seconds the motion, which
is now before the republicans of Yer
mont. What other aspirants for the
Office may have to say about this
move will be interesting to the public.
We fail to see any especial reasons
why Gov. Woodbury. should serve
second term. His administration has
not been conspicuously brilliant. No
doubt he has discharged his executive
duties-which are not very onerous-
in satisfactory way. We find no
fault with his brief career as COVER
nor, but there is nothing in it to war
rant his retention in the chair to the
exclusion of other Vermonters who
have the ability and disposition to
serve the state just as faithfully. Be
sides this, if d precedent be establish
ed by his reelection it may work
poorly hereafter. Any man who has
been chosen governor ought to be
willing to retire gracefully at the end
of his term. There may be good
reasons for re electing a state repre-
sentative or senator but these do not
on,,Iy1 IN tho ro- o1o otiOo Of q UOuar-
nor. We want no office holding class
in Vermont but an open field and fair
chance for every capable republican.
Landmark.
The above from our esteemed con-
temporary expresses the opinion,
doubtless, of the large majority of the
voters of the state. While we do not
suppose Gov. Woodbury. has had any
thing to do with the attempt to
change back to the two-term custom,
| it is possible that he is neither on his
own account or upon principal ayerse
to the thing suggested. Gov. Wood
bury has given the State a very cred
liable administration, and is an honor
to him to be deemed worth it, by any,
to be the first to grace the governors
chair, should two term rule be
again started. We agree with the
Landmarks in thinking that the pres
ent system is the best, or certainly
good enough for the state. The at
tempt to change back to the old two
term custom will meet with a strong
! opposition, unreasonable as the op-
| position would be. The Gonebyes will
| oppose it because the new rule would
use other people better than they
were used, while the Wouldbees might
fear that their chances would be
greatly impaired by giving the other
fellow four years in office. The argu
ment made recently by Ex-Governor
Stewart in favor of longer official
terms, while correct in principle and
| important, so far as members of the
| legislature are concerned, has less per-
tinence when applied to governors,
lieut.. governors and some other Of
ficers. Candidates for the guberna
| torial chair are almost invariably Sc
|
have had experience in legislative
and business affairs. They have had
an education which fits them for the
position, and have opportunities for
acquiring such facts and knowledge
as shall prepare them for their duGies.
| Vermont is rich in the abundance and
character of her timber, which can
be used for the construction of good
! governors, and it is entirely superfu
Gus and unnecessary to give them a
schooling of two years in the COVER
nor's chair, that they may be worthy
a second term. Wait till the State
goes back to the annual and the bet
ter custom, in the meeting of her le
gislatures; then it may do to extend
the terms.