Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1896-04-22
War Dogs and Grout Organs.

| AAS eAPSSsSu hoPpShSo Aesoo VIVA ''--~
the Phoenix ''came out" editorially TO
Josiah Grout for governor. 1t has lon
been known by those possessing even
rudimentary knowledge of Vermont polite
that Brattleboro is decidedly Grouty, il
fact that some of her ambitious citizens il
order to deliver the goods, must supper
the gentlemen from Derby; they have m
option. So when the Phoenix in patroniz
ing way condescended to say word il
the majors favor (editorially), no one wa
surprised, in fact the matter hardly pro
voked comment; the method of presentin;
the majors case however, demands NOR
than passing notice.
The Phoenix man bursting with patriot
ism, eloquence and enthusiasm pens |
nominating speech; and insinuates tina
some deluded son of Orleans county vii
inflict it on the state convention. Tht
speech is 'Gentlemen Of the convention
in all the years Of Vermont's history as s
state, Orleans county has never had 8
governor, while Windsor county has hat
four; we ask you to nominate Major Grout.'
This speech has some merits. 1t is brief
and brevity, we are told, is the soul O
wit; it is rhetorically and grammatically
correct; in fact it lacks only one element tc
give it force, truth. And right here We
might add that one of the sagcs has re-
marked to the effect that it is better to
know less, than to know so many things
that amt so. The fact is that Orleans
county has had one governor, Samuel G.
Crafts, who resided in the town Of Crafts
bury, and who was elected to the governor
ship for three successive terms by the APP
preciative citizens Of this commonwealth.
The Phoenix man is good on the wing,
and his flights of oratory are duly appre-
ciated by the entire state, especially by
that portion of it surrounding Farmer
CIRCUITS sugar orchard and sheep pastures,
but when he deals with the cold facts Of
history he manifests lamentable igno-
rance. But this has ever been failing of
great minds; in giving expression to the
lofticr, more impassioned emotions, details
are forgotten; strength is sacrificed for
beauty, truth for imagery.
Another ludicrous instance in this con
nection is the haste with which the Grout
organs all over the state have reproduced
errors and all the offending articles and
given it their umeserved approval. We
suggest that the ,sajor supply each Of hi,
newspapers with copies of an elementary
history OF Vermont and insist on the ed;to-
rial writers using them before his languish-
ing boom entirely collapses. He can well
alford to do this even if it takes every
pound OF sugar he made this season.
All this wild clamor on the part Of tba
'rout organs is mere blind; the only
purport it serves is to draw popular atten-
ton from the fact that Orleans county Is
hlled with state officers. The only county
on the east side of the state that has never
had governor is Essex. Orleans has had
just one year more of governorship than
orange county. Windham has had the
governorship only four years and Windsor
only eight years. 1t should further be
borne IN mind that Windsor has practically
none OF the higher state officers while Or
leans has five or six of the best offices in the
gift OF the state. Lovers of fair play and
equal rights should ponder these things.