Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1895-10-24

until finally sugared off at the next
state convention.
Two candidates for the governor
ship, Josiah Grout Of Derby and W.
w. Stickney Of Ludlow, are Sin the
hands Of their friends" already and it
| is limited that Lieut.. Gov. Fletcher OF
Cavendish doesn't relish being retired
to obscurity and is willin' in the same
degree that Barkis was.
But now a firebrand has been thrown
among the animals by ex-Gov. Stew
art Of Middlebury, who, in letter to
the Free Press, makes the startling
suggestion that, as the response to his
reunion speech in favor OF a more gen
eral reelection of good lawmakers has
been so hearty, he thinks it would be
q good idea to set the ball-a-rolling by
re.electing Gov. Woodbury. next year.
The Free Press seconds the suggestion
and pledges its support to Gov. Wood
bury. The whole move is decidedly
sensational, or at least will be SO re-
garded in Vermont where single terms
for governor have been the rule for
many years. 1t will be interesting to
note how the state will respond to it.
To us it appears as if Gov. Stewart
had made mistake il his real object
is to retain good men in office. Not
that Gov. Woodbury. is unworthy of
reelection, if such had been the rule,
but as matter of policy it seems that
the reform has begun at the wrong
end. We are in sympathy with the
principle that, as rule, good officials
should not be denied reelection for no
other reason than because they have
served one term. We believe the state
legislature would be wonderfully i'm
proved as a lawmaking body by the
return of a larger proportion of expc-
rienced legislators. But as to SUBJ
verting the time-honored custom OF
single terms for governors, some
things may as well be considered.
In the first place Vermont is pref
ty certain to follow precedent. 1t
is hard to disturb its conservatism.
The Republican party is so prepon-
derant and so united that contests for
state offices are unusual. In the past
it has been the rule to retire govern
ors after one term. If Gov. Wood
bury is reelected, it will require
conspicuous inability in his sue
cessor to prevent his being re-elect-
ed as Woodbury. was, and so on UNI
til the state adopts double-term
rule, which will be even more difficult
to disturb than the single-term Gus
tom. OF the two rules we frankly say
that we prefer the present one.
Then there is the mountain rule,
which has been ridiculed by every
body and yet is as strong as ever.
Would it suit one side to leave the
govcrnorship to the other for four
years? And then would the other side
like to bid it farewell for four years
longer? These are simply questions.
We do not undertake to answer them.
They have bearing on the matter,
however.
Then the present seems an inauspic-
ious time for making such sugges-
ton. Governor Woodbury. has been
acknowledgement and twice a can
didate for the gubernatorial nomina-
ton. We do not apprehend that he
would feel like making another ener-
getic canvass, such as he would surely
have to make to secure the nomina-
ton. II the state is to express itself
in favor OF the reelection of good Of
ficials by starting off with the COVER
nor, wouldn't it be better to take some
ex-governor from the east side who
has made an enviable reputation say
Dillingham;? Then the mountain rule
would not have to be challenged and
the alleged object Of securing one of
the very best officials possible would
have been gained.
And Burlington, too, has for the
past few years enjoyed rather more of
the good things to be found at the
public crib than she is entitled to,
in the estimation of the rest Of the
state. Even Ex-Gov. Stewart himself
would be more acceptable to the state
on this account and good executive
he would make, too.
1t is well enough for the east side to
that Gnv NooJL,..,