Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1898-06-10
WILLIAMSVILLE.
Our Representative In Congress.


The writer, in common with many in
this vicinity, has recently received sample
copies of several upstate papers advocat-
ing the claims Of Congressman Grout to
denomination. The gist Of their conten-
ton is to the effect that Gen. CIRCUITS rec
ord has been a creditable one for Ii years.
and that he is in condition to render the
district Just as effective service, perhaps
more so, in the future. This no one dis
putes.
Why not then continue him in Office I'M
til he shall either prove unfaithful or his
faculties shall become impaired? 1t seems
to many that such a course would not be
in accord with the traditional policy of
our state in distributing her honors Com
mencing with our state legislature it is
found at each session that not more than
10 or II per cent of the members have had
previous legislative experience. Ii is an
acknowledged fact that our town repre-
sentatives could render the state much
more efficient service If returned for
second or third term, but such practice
seldom prevails.
oar governors barely became acquainted
with their duties when the law, unwrilten,
but memorable as the laws of the Modes
private life
1t is found that during little more than
one century of statehood the average term
of our representatives has been little less
than five years. And who were these men?
The list is well worth reading. 1t contains
many names eminent as governors and
jurists, in fact. large number of the men
most distinguished in the states history
They passed ont in the very zenith Of
their usefulness and fame, a few OF them
to assume higher trusts, but most OF them
to leave public life for good Their con-
stituents did not refuse them a vote Of
confidence, but simply insisted that it
should remain part OF our economy that
the law of distribution should apply to
hOnors as well as burdens.
We are now having an object lesson in
the working of this law as applied to our
state officers. Our present secretary of
state, state treasurer and state auditor
have so conducted their offices in the six
and eight years during which they have
served us that not word of complaint has
been uttered by the public. That their
services for another term would be much
more Valuable to the state than services
that any new incumbents could render is a
question that will not admit of debate
Yet We read that a mighty rushing wind
is sweeping up through the state that is
bound to eliminate IN much wreckage at
the Montpelier convention. We hope that
the move against these officers will not be
successful, but there seems no doubt but
that after one term more they will be num-
bered with the have beens, for no other
reason but to make room for others.
Only three men have served Vermont
in Congress a longer term than 10 years
Their names are Morrill,, Edmunds and
Foot, They belonged to no district or
state, but to the nation.
The friends of Judge Read have no
apology to make for his candidacy.
| Should he secure the nomination they
believe that no vested rights would thus
be set aside and that the peoples interests
would not be imperled. They have no
word of complaint against Congressman
| Grout. They feel that he has been well
used and that he should now step aside
| for some one else in obedience to that
law of distribution not enacted by statute,
| to be sure, but as much part of our poll
| tical economy as the law of gravitation is
governing force in nature.