Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1896-02-20
There has been so much chicanery


stands only little higher in public
esteem than d criminal. This is all
wrong. For it the people are alone
responsible. BY their indifference
they have allowed INSCRIPTIONS men
to secure places Of honor and trust
that should be held by Others.
As a rule the American people love
honesty and fair play. That they per-
nit SO much dishonesty in politics
shows that something must be wrong.
We ascribe it to their Indifference,
their lack of interest in politics. Alb
sorbed by their private affairs, they
leave the conduct Of the state-onc OF
the most important trusts-to men
whom they would not engage to serve
them in any responsible business ca
pacity.
This is less true OF Vermont than OF
many states, due, we believe, to the
fact that we have fewer INSCRIPTIONS
men to engage in politics and because
there are fewer "plums" in Vermont
politics to strive for. Certain it is
that our freedom from political rot
tenness cannot be due to the careful
attention we give it, for in no state is
there less interest shown in the sub
iect. 1t is only due to other condi-
tions that we are so free from the dis
eraces that we so roundly condemn in
other states. These conditions may
not always continue. The time may
come when those whom we permit to
do that which the people should do as
IA whole will not be as Trustworthy as
at present. The offices that they or
their creatures hold may become more
desirable than now.
1t is notorious fact that Vermont
is ruled by comparatively small por-
ton of her citizenship. These men
ire more numerous than many be-
lieye, but really few in comparison
with the whole. Each town and city
contains sma | number Of men who
control the politics of that town or
city as they desire, undisturbed 10y the
remainder of the people-undisturbed
because ordinarily these latter take
no interest in the matter, or if few
show interest they are overawed or
outnumbered by the cotcrie.
If man aspires to any county or
state Office, instead of announcing his
desire to the public and then awaiting
their command, he early opens secret
negotiations with the political masters
of Vermont. He "feels" them. Ii
assured of their support, or the sup
port of a majority Of them, he has no
| further concern over his chances for
| success.
fla man has yearning to "serve
his country" he first lays in a supply
Of postage stamps and establishes lit
erary bureau. Either personally or
by clerk, servant or agent, he indites
epistles to the politicians Of the several
towns--thosc who generously attend
to such matters -recounting the great
service he has been to the world, coun-
try, state anu party, and especially
how often he has served the parties he
now addresses when they were affected
as he now is, or if he cannot place
them under any obligation on account
of the past, he holds out golden in
ducemcnts as to the future. BY some
string or other he pulls on all the poll
ticians of his acquaintance and If his
acquaintanceship is only wide enough
and his pull strong enough he can
safely be set down as the person whom
the people Z will call to the particu-
lar position he wants.
Now this method is not dishonest.
perhaps, but it is certainly dcmoral-
izing 1t elevates weak men above
their deserts. 1t puts nonentilies
where ability is needed. Instead Of
being a democratic method, it is oil
garchic. Long before the people get
to thinking about an election it is set
tied for them. Instead of the people
saying. ''Whom shall we elect 2" they
have become accustomed TO asking,
''Whom do the politicians expect to
nominate for us? Men OF ability
who do not like this method are either
forced out of politics OF obliged to
adopt the same practice il they will
win. 1t is the blight Of Vermont POI
itics today that the people have 50
little voice and the politicians SO