Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1900-03-01
Vermont PolitiCs-a Good Year to
use Good Sense

The rush of aspirants to the honor Of
representing Vermont in Congress, lis
greater this year than al any previous pc
rod that we remember. In this district
there are seven candidates for representa-
tive and there are four candidates in the
second district. There are also four can
didatcs for the unoXpircd portion of SEN
ator MorriIls term. AS there arr but three
places to be filled. only one il five of the
aspirants can win, This would be a sad
reflection but for the fact chat most Of
the candidates have selected themselves
for the respective candidates.. with two
or three exceptions they have come for
ward not in response to any general call
from the people but in furthoruloc of
their priva ambitions This is no sin on
tn r part. To repre- ent We mont in c n
grcss is am honorable ambition. But alter
all the circumstance that man wants an
office Is not always good reason why he
should have it. There are probably ten
more men in every county who would like
to GO to Congress. and who would do no
more harm than the average congressman
puhlicans have not been wont to alot CON
grcssional honors to the most eager aspi-
rants. In most cases they have observed
the good rule that the Office should sce k
the man, rather than the man the Office
This is good rule to tie to still
To apply it in this district, Judge Pow
ers was marked for the place he holds Ivy
his long and honorable service on the
bench of our Supreme Court. by his ability
and his gifts as speaker His position
on the bench had kept him out Of politics.
He was nominated WITH practical unanim-
ity, and his majorities have increased
with every successive election. lie is will
ing to serve the State for another term;
and can better serve the State and the
public than any new man that can be put
in his place. His standing in the House
is high. He is recognized as II man Of
power and influence. 1t will be good sense
and good politics to keep him Where he IS
When Congressman Grout first came
forward for Congress, it was in response
to call from many voters. who wanted
a good man whom they could run against
a very active and INSCRIPTIONS politician.
No one was anxious to incur the risks II
such a candidacy. Gen. Grout was not
anxious to be the standard bearer in the
sharp and bitter contest which followed (;
but he accepted the position and fought a
square fight and though unsuccessful
against the combination of democracy
greenbacksm and money in the election
of rs, his good record in the struggle
made him the natural republican candi-
date at the next election. 1t can be truly
said that the office sought him rather than
he the Office aud if he had not announced
that he would not be candidate for re-
election, we should think it wise on the
part of the voters of the second district
still to keep him where he is and where
his long experience gives him standing
ana influence.
That experience. however, could not
count for much in the United States SEN
ate. Many a man has gone from tie low
en- to the upper house of Congress, with
the idea that his standing i'm the House
would give him like standing i'm the Sen
ate, ana has found hms # mistaken Mr..
Blaine'a case waa a notable instance Of
this. The new senator be he who he may,
must begin at the bottom, and will achieve
standing and influence in the Senate sole
ly by reason Of his ability, tact and pres