Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1898-02-10


ate, has been lawyer and once repre-
scented ST. Adams in the legislature.
Isn't that about all that can be said of
him except that he is "A good fellow and
popular with the boys? And if so, why
should the governorship be conferred
on him? Are there not scores and hun
dreds of men Just as good as he !? What
has he ever done for the Republican
party? He has not been potent either
in war or council. He is not public
! speaker that we are aware of. He
made good record in the House, we
are told, but concerning his views on
public matters or his capacity for so
important an office as the governorship
the people are entirely in the dark. Is
there not ground for the suspicion that
but for the accident of birth which
maze him the son of fortune and the
head ofthe leading railroad in Vermont
he would not be thought of in connec-
ton with this office? And ifanything
should happen to displace him from
the post he thus occupies, would he
continue to be thus considered ? Is it
not a serious matter when birth and
fortune are made almost the sole quail
fications for Office in a sovereign state
OF the two men, Mccullough is bet
ter known throughout the state. He
has been prominent in politics and So
ciety for many years. He has given of
his fortune that the state might benefit.
He is unquestionably an able man and
of the two stands higher in the estima-
ton of the state on the score of ability
If elected. he would be a model gov
ernor so far as show is concerned, and
his understanding of business and pub
lie matters is broad enough to give as
smance that he would give due atten-
ton to the states needs, rs he under
stood them.
But right here enters another con-
sideration. 1t is not denied that while
McCulloughs place of residence is
nominally in Vermont his business in /
terests are almost entirely elsewhere. |
He spends the greater portion of the
year outside the state, coming to Yer |
mont for the summer with his family. |
His knowledge of Vermont is limited |
in n great measure to his enjoyment of
our lovely scenery and beautiful sum-
mer attractions. He is not in touch |
with the people of Vermont and knows
little of their character or their needs. !
He has never even represented his |
town or county in the legislature and |
cannot have that knowledge of state
matters that chief executive should |
have. Then here is a chance for
precedent. If Vermont is to ignore
her bona fide citizens of experience and
ability and is to confer governorships |
and other high offices on men who take |
up peripatetic residence in the state,
she will never lack for caiflidates.
New York has scores and hundreds of
millionaires who would migrate to
Vermont for the summer and spend
their money with lavish hand if there
were only the chance of sometime pre-
fixing the potent title, Cow to their
names. If she cares to embark in this
industry, well and good, but her eyes
should be opened to the full signifi-
canoe of it right here and now Yer
monters may be unreasonably jealous
of outsiders, but it is bald and patent
fact that Gen. McCullough's disputed
claim to bona tide citizenship is very
serious objection from their stand
point and it will take more than few
brief months to change their nature.
Both the candidates are personally
Each has sufficient
character to warrant an honest admin
but to us it seems as if I
neither filled the bill or represented
the peoples wish. Neither gentleman
will take offence at these criticisms, for :
any man who stands for office invites
honest criticism, such as this is meant |
% be. |
If no other candidate appears-and
1t this iuncture we are forced TO ad-
nit that another does not seem likely ,
% enter the field-we shall choose be- g
ween Messrs. Smith and Mccullough {
rs seems to MS best for the welfare of i
he state, but we do not regard it out 9
Of place at this time, before we are !
orced to choose between them, to ex- :
,ress our opinion that if ever a long i
cit want existed for gubernatorial L
candidate of the people and by the peo- e
lie that want exists today