Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1898-04-22
@sstS County 5Itrala.
ISLAND PoND, APRIL %.
FOR STATE AUDITOR:
franklin ID. Hale of Lunenburg.

Now that the time has come
when the people and the press
are discussing the personale OF
the coming State Republican tick
ct and in view of the relation of
our county to the subject it will
not we trust seem inappropriate
for us To present our views rela-
tive to the candidate on that
ticket for State Auditor.
The present incumbent, Frank
lin D. Hale, is one of our citizens,
n man of unblemished character,
undoubted integrity, faithful, in
dustrious and capable. He has
performed the duties OF the office
to the entire satisfaction of all
the good citizens fthe State with
whom his services have been con-
nected and is universally en-
dorsed by the people of his county
who have known him from his
childhood and who have honored
him with all the Offices within
their gift and who can see no
good reason for the discontinue
ance of his services at this time.
1t cannot be said that another
election will carry him beyond
the usual time assigned to each
occupant of the Office because for
good reasons the same auditor
has been continued in office long
err than has been the rule in other
positions. At least this has been
so ever since the late lamented
Dugald Stewart took the Office.
Mr.. Hale immediate predecessor
occupied the position fourteen
wears while he himself has only
six years.
Nor can it be said that Essex
County has been intrusive in the
management of State affairs hav-
ing had an occupant of any posi-
ton but three times since the
county was organized, two OF
them being little more than form
al and without emoluments. So
that there being no objection as
to length of service or locality or
fitness of the main no reason why
Mr.. Hale should not be continued
another term can be assigned ex-
cept that some other man desires
it.
No man can be blamed for a
natural wish for the position.
But as between the two men and
between the candidate and the
State manv things are to be con-
sidered. 1t is an office that eX-
acts a mans time and attention.
1t is jealous of the pursuit of any
other regular business and the
incumbent soon finds his time,
his other business and even him
self absorbed, and organized for
this work to the exclusion OF
other employment. so that it is
q detriment to him to be inter
rupted in this work almost as
soon as he gets accustomed to it.
Besides for the interest of the
State it is essential that the aud
itor have experience and familiar
ity with the work. 1t is of the
utmost Importance that he be
familiar with the rules and deci-
sions of the courts, especially
those relating to court expenses,
and with the nature and history
of claims coming before the legis-
lature and the practice relating
to them.
And SO while individual prefer.
ences should be treated with re.
spectful and friendly considera.
ton we think that the occupants
of this position should not be
often changed from personal con.
siderations or from light or triv.
ialcauses arising from any source
LII JUSTIFY ~ al y man WIN lldS
got accustomed to and fitted fol-
the work, and laid aside other
employments, he should at least
becontinued tor the time he woulC
reasonably be expected to hole
the office, and a time with refer
ence to which he would naturally
lay his plans.
We are not aware that there is
any occasion for us to discuss thi:
subject but in view of the fac
that some move has been made
to changesom of the incumbent'
on the ticket who have held tn
office longer than has the presen
auditor we have ventured tt
make these suggestions.