Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1896-02-27
GREEN MOUNTAIN POLITICS.
Frank Talk Regarding the Lieutenant
Governorship and Tho (,oxsrcorsbip


Frank Talk Regarding tho Lieutenant
Govornorship and tho Govornorsbip.
The Morrisvlle News and CITIZEN makes
the Following Interesting statement:
Our esteemed contemporary the Brat
tleboro Roformer, copies from the Mont
pelier Argus, with the approving remark
that the Argus generally knows what Is
going on inside Of Republican lines, the
following piece Of misinformation:
THE Montpelier Argus, which Is very
apt to know republican secrets, announces
the gubornatorial progra mme for the next
six years 1t Is Josiah Circuit this year. F.
Stewart Stranahan Of st. .Albans In 1898,
and Y. M. Mansur Of Island Pond in 1900."
How much better 1t would be IL people
could only realize the force of the homely
adage that ut Is much better not to know
so much than it Is to know so much that
is not true" The republicans Of Vermont
will not, In this decade at least, return to
the practice of nominating Its lieutenant
governors for governor Up to the time
when Proctor broke the former practice
of shelving lieutenant governors" there
had been, we believe but three promotions
from lieutenant governor to governor In
the history of the State but the practice
once inaugurated was adopted as a pre-
cedent. land aftera time the lieutenant-gov-
ernor who was not promoted came to feel
that he had been abused because he had
not been used as well as his predecessors
and so a bad practice once begun was kept
up.
But the republicans of Vermont disap-
prove of this idea of promotion, and we
predict that asprants for the lieutenant
governorship will not hereafter be permit
ted to make this position n stepping stone
to a higher office. There is a sort of pig
gishness about wanting the earth that
doesn't strike the average man favorably.
Special reasons will always be considered;
while the State will not make any iron
clad-rue not to promote In special cases,
1t will insist that the ambitious young
Vermonter who aspires to the title of gov
ernor" must decide in advance which posi-
ton he Is competent to fill and enter the
lists either for the first or second plact.
and having received one of them, be there
with content.
Lieut.. Cows. Stranahan and Mansur are
both excellent men, but they have been
duly honored and we believe they will now
stand aside and allow others, equally
worthy and equally able, to share in the
honors which Vermont has to bestow.
No, Neighbor Argus, bet all your old
boots and shoes that there Is another
gentleman in Franklin county. who will
take the first place when Franklin coun-
tvs turn comes; and gamble with even
higher stacks that Lieut.. Gov. Mansur
Will not be a candidate for the next ten
years at least, for tho office of governor.
VERMONT'S POLITICAL METHODS.
The West Randolph Herald In the course
OF an interesting article speaks as follows
AS rule the American people love hon.
esty and fair play. That they permit so
much dishonesty in politics shows that
something must be wrong. We ascribe II
TO their Indifference, their lack of interest
in politics Absorbed by their private af-
fairs they leave the conduct of the state
one of the most important trusts-to men
whom they would not engage to serve
them in any responsible business capacity
This Is less true of Vermont than OF
many States, duo. 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 II is that our freedom
from political rottenness cannot be due "a
| the careful attention we give It, for in nc
State Is there less interest shown in the
subject. 1t is only due to other conditions
that we are so free from the disgraces
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 peo-
pie should do as whole will not be as
trustworthy as at present. The offices
that they or their creatures hold may be-
COIHe more desirable tnan now.
1t is a notorious fact that Vermont Is
ruled by a comparatively small portion OF
her citizenship. These men are more
numerous than many believe. but really
few in comparison with The whole. Eacn
town and city contains a small number OF
men who control the politics of that town
or city as they desire. undisturbed by the
remainder of the people-undisturbed be-
cause ordinarily these latter take no in
ha ms tor favxt uk,1 in,
terest they are overawed or outnumbered
by the coterie.
III man aspires to any county or State
office, instead of announcing his desire to
the public and then awaiting their COM
mand, he early opens secret negotiations
with the political masters of Vermont. He
feels" them. If assured of their support,
OF the support of majority of them, hi
has no further concern over his chances
for success.
/ What Is this remedy? Increase the num-
Der Of politicians. Let every voter become
one. Let each take the same interest that
a few now take. Instead of lowering, II
would raise the plane of our politics.
The Republican congratulates "Spunk,
Lamoille" on the bright speech made by
it's States attorney, r. w. Hulburd, at the
Young Republican club banquet. 1t was
the gem of the evening. We understand
that this same gentleman Is seriously
talked of as senator from that county
He would prove an effective member of tn,
upper House.-St. Johnsbury Republican.
VERMONT POLITICS.
| We believe there will be no contes
whatever over the secretary of Stateshil
and that c. W. Brownell, the present in
cumbent. will succeed himself. The sam,
might as well be said about State audi
tor. AS to treasurer there Is some wills
perlng about a change. but whether 1
will materialize is as yet uncertain
Morrisvile News and Citizen.
We have decided to support the candi
dacy of Major Josiah Grout of Derby TO
the office of governor. We have investi
gated the claims Of the various candi
dates, and their qualifications and hav
reached the conclusion that Vermont will
i laa In.