Semi-weekly Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1897-1901, 1901-09-13

lFrom the Springfield Republican.
1t seems to be recognized that
there is more stagnation in the state
than there should be, aud less prog
ress; and a disposition apparently
exists tn think of the oneness and
stagpalion in politics rs somehow
related thereto. Whether the fact
that Vermont is pretty much all of
one party is cause or an effect of
the material conditions complained
of, is question not worth much
discussion. Whatever the answer
may be, there can be 10 question that
more independence in political action
and more tolerate of minority views
would do wonders in stirring up the
state, improvirg the character and
responsiveness of its admin istration
ana quickening the life of its people
And this greater Independence and
toleratirn are within the resch of
every community, whether it be
backward or foraard as respects popu.
lation and material growth.
Vermont from the beginning has
been of the conservative party in the
nations politics, except during the
brief period when Republicanism
meant radicalism. But it has not
always been gu heavily weighted one
way that no other voices have been
allowed to he heard, and that it's
political action can be fnretold years
in advance. moving on with a char ge-
less certainty which refuses to relieve
Back in the early whig ia, the
-,
enough to have representation in
congress and it is worth noting that
this minority CONGRESSMAN was for
years the father of the present Repub-
lican senator, william p Dillingham;
The vote of the state 10 those times -
aud they were growing times for
Vermont, as may be Known from the
census records made some approach
to closeness, aud the wings were never
sure of majority of more than 5000
or 6C00. The Vermont of that time
did not hang desperately to the whig
party UP to the very day of its diseolI.
ton. n \ need of the state is
strong and aggressive political opposi-
ton on question of policy ard admin.
The present situation is
conducive only of stagn alton and dry
rot. We beard recently of the case
Of a lawyer located in one of the
principal centers Of the state, we'll |
educated and Of popular personal
qualities. but disposed by conviction |
to political views in opposition to the
party. He acted with the
party in quiet way for |
a few years after beginning practice, |
hut found the door absolutely and |
hopelsssly closed TO preferment of al. |
most every description and especially, |
Of course, ia the way of public office |
whose occupancy would assist in his |
Advancement. He finally, |
il Kind Of despair announced him
self a Republican and was almost |
immediately nominated ard elected a
district attorney, and he speedily |
became leading lawyer Of his county,
rot only 10 reputation, but business
His political views, however, have
practically unchanged. They
are simply smothered for the time
oeing in the name of a living for his
family. 1t is needless to say that
such an atmosphere as that is not
'avorable to growth or progress. The
price to any community for eYacting
and general conformity in
rs in religion, finally be.
zones retrogressiop.
The new era for Vermont, which
$ being talked Of, must be an era Of
nore liberation and independence in
oolltics, or it will not prove to he
he same old era of the same old
dominion of tho same old special
interests accompanied by the same
I'D handing down of the honors and
of state from one to
mother within the select little circle
# the dynasty of the party clique
md with not u ripple anywhere to
disturb the quiet Of that corporated
,arasitsm to which things have long
,een SO beautifully adjusted that
way. May the new era for Yer
mont be genuinely so