St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1898-01-28
A Bad Disease.

EDITOR CALEDoNIAN:- is an old
trouble and very bad one. If we now
try to diagnose it, it is quite likely we
will be thought not much OF doctor
But as newspapers and other publica-
tons hardly ever say much about it, we
venture the task, even without diploma,
or guarantee Of our ability in the line
OF political therapeutics.
This disease has already become
chronic, and is assuming greater virulence
each successive year. 1t is germ dis
ease Of great magnitude, and why some
moral doctor has not discovered a remedy
for its baleful influence is more than lean
guess, especially so in this age of wonder
full discovery.
This disease, without Latin name, is
called the Office seekers disease. That it
is catching" we have no doubt. And
when it gets to. going how it spreads
Strange as it may seem, it runs in the
blood of some of our best families; and
the more the civil stomachis out of order,
the harder the dis. ase is likely to run.
For one, we think it would not be bad
plan TO quarantine chronic Office seekers,
and hang up at their doors placards OF a
sickly color, as danger warnings to all
who have not caught the disease.
This disease is likely to break out at
any time; but it is apt to show SYM
toms, sometimes alarming ones, just be.
fore town meeting, or some public cleo
ton. The only quoting remedy we have
noticed for such symptoms, is the defeat
of the candidate. He is then apt to lie in
a comatose state until another election
which is worth something; but it is nc
cure. When this hungry disease has
"gotten him in the wind" the only way
to get along with him is, to give him the
official nursing bottle now and then, as
a sopori6c to ease office.seeking pains
and where this help cannot be had, the
patient is apt to fall into premature
decay from the unsatisied longings o
the heart.
This disorder is far-reaching in it's con
sequences When the disease is fairly on
the poor victim dares almost anything
Good counsel or advice from friends ism
worth a cent to him. He spends his tim
and mo, ey in political lottery. He sooi
believes he is man of Importance, ant
that his turn" has come to serve tn
dear people He becomes pulled UP will
personal conceit, boldness, and vanity
And sometimes he resorts to question
able methods to carry out his ends.
This disease, so lar as civil life is con
cerned, is a bad malady. Our remed,
would be. that no decent man SHOULD
seek for office; for in a large measure hi
proves a delusion and snare. Let me
wait until such time as the people sha
call for them, then it will be all right.
they are not called for it is ev,denc
enough that they are not wanted; an
to want an office before this time, ma
had better wish himself in tophet an
done with it.
A man who gets to love Office, 500
thinks he owns it. Office holding, in it
true sense, is the serving OF the people
1t is oil honor to any man when honor
ably gotten and honorably filled, and i
no other way. There is no money i
most of offices, unless one surreptitiousl
use it to speculate with.
Let us say to the good people of s.
Johnsbury, that at our next town meet
ing they be not over anxious about i
Let the people choose their own servant
without let or hindrance. Don't 60 int
intrigues or private caucuses at all. Thei
can hardly be any serious mistake mad
in the election OF officers in this tow
when there are so many good men
choose from. We ought to feel prou
that this is so. And it will remain so,
the people do not catch the office seeker
disease, which to make the best of it "
can, makes fools Of rs all.
F. V. POWERS.