Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1899-07-27
The Campaign OF 1900 in Vermont

| Nerinonters as a rule do not favor long
political campaigns and are apt to leave
the choice of candidates for the various
positions OF honoc and trust until a short
time before election day But there are
exceptions to this as well as to ali other
rules, and II Is evident to anyone at all
conversant with State affairs that the
campaign of 1900 is already inausurated
in measure and while the people are rot
ready to take an active part in 1t a GER
tain aspirants have begun the fight of
their lives for certain offices. That the
campaign of 1900 was likely to he one Of
the most important in Vermonts history
was recognized. as far back as the close
of the last Legislature, when opposition
to at least one gubernatorial candidacy
was developed to some extent and has be-
rcome more apparent since the death of
Senator Morrill, and the postponement Of
the contest for the permanent succession
until the next session of the Legislature.
A congressional contest in the First Dis
trct and free-for-al race in the Seocud
District have also developed and give to
the coming campaign great interest and
| Importance.
| In this stage or the situation there are
some general suggestions which cannot be
urged too soon or followed too closely.
| The real battle over every Office in 1860
viii be fought out at the primaries and in
preparation for the primaries the poli,i-
clan will put in his work while the people
may be allowing their own case to 90 by
interest Of Vermont should remember that
for every office whether governor, con-
gresham or senator the choice will prac-
tically be made at the Urinary meeting;
and he should be there to vote for the
best man. The politicians are already
towns for their candidates these claims Of
course being made on the suppoeition that
they have got things fixed" for the pri-
maries Whether or not they shall remain
fixed in such cases depends upon the
attendance or nonattendance of the voters
of Vermont at the primaries. The nation-
al campaign will be vigorous enough to
draw out the vote but a the caucus every
honest vote will be needed to aid in the
cause of pure politics in Vermont
The Legislature of 1898 like previous leg
isatuves, has been criticised for inefficien-
CO and for the liability of the members
to obtain what they wanted in an orderly
and systematic way. This brings before
the people with renewed emphasis the need
Of eXperienc I'd aw-makers and the wisdom
of returning in 1900 members who made a
creditable reputation for themselves in
previous Legislatures. It is of course to he
noted that as a general thing the election
of a democrat because he was a democrat
is equivalent to throwing away a towns
influence There are it is true in almost
every Legislature some democrats who are
Justly influential and credit to their con-
stituency and they form no exception TO
the rule that character and experience are
Qualifications Of the utmost value in
lecting candidates for the General Assem-
bly,.
The press of Vermont can dc no greater
service to the public than to call the at
ttNtion of the people to the need of vigil
arco and Of proper effort to secure nom
mators OF worthy and capable candidates
of Vermont.