Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1902-03-13
FOR OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES

closely III line WITH luc NlSWs stJ lOIIu
in this paper-notes OF extreme dis
satisfaction and disgust with the pros
pect of having to choose between two
New York railroad magnates for our
next governor-exhortat that as
loyal Vermonters, proud OF our
cherished traditions, we bend not the
knee to these would-be potentates
until we exhaust every resource in
finding some recognized man of abil-
ity and standing, fit for the honor,
whom we know as one of us by train
ing and association, and to whom the
coat of arms of our grand old state is
something more than decoration, to
be affixed to the side of tally-ho or a
private car.
The first Of these calls is from the
Brattleboro Phoenix, one of the fearless
and Independent opponents of the YER
mont press. Its long and vigorous
article we quote in full as follows -
1.-The spectacle presented by the
present canvass for the Vermont gu
bernatorial nomination does not grow
more edifying as the canvass proceeds,
and its methods develop. Indeed, the
whole truth may as well be told. Ii is
sight which gives every true Yer
monter, who has no personal ends to
gain, a sense of humiliation. The
contest is between two men, neither
OF whom wonld ever be thought of for
governor of Vermont were it not that
he happens to possess large wealth.
Both men own summer places in Yer
mont, but both live in New York by
tar the greater part OF each year. In
behalf of Gen. Mccullough it is to be
said that he has identified himself
with the interests of Vermont, and
that he doubtless feels himself son of
the state by adoption. In and OF him
self. the people consenting, his canvass
might be accepted without serious
objection. But, with the entrance of
DR. w. Seward Webb into the field,
the contest has become neither more
nor less than a neck-and-neck race be-
tween two rich New Workers. 1t is so
recognized and spoken of both inside
the state and outside. This is why
Vermonters to the manner born feel
their cheeks Jingle and their eyelids !
droop when the present canvass for
the governorship is mentioned.
eve do not claim personal knowl- |
edge of all parts of the state, but we
know that of every hundred Republic
cans in Windham county whom one |
might ask for an opinion on the pres
ent situation, the answer would be, |
almost TO a man that, las between Nc |
Cullough and Webb, Mccullough is
the man, as a matter of course'-and |
ninety-nine will add with emphasis,
"but | wish we had some good YER
monter to vote for. The report is
current, and we believe it to be true,
that a similar feeling prevails through
out the state so far as the choice of a
Vermonter for the nomination is con-
cerned Can a sufficient reason be
given why this wish of the people and
this feeling of state pride should not
be gratifed?
"There is another side to this ques-
ton. We have been through in Yer
mont all the various sorts of ways of
selecting and nominating governors
OF late-let us not be too exact about /
the dates lest we seem to grow per-
sonal-we have seen the final canvass
become little else than a cold-blooded
proposition. The man who
would be governor has secured his re-
tanners and put them in the field, and
the state has been worked as syste-
as though the fourteen
counties were so many acres of til
liable land, from every foot of which a
certain crop had got to be harvested.
Not only has every town and every I
school district been canvassed but
every individual voter has
been checked up, and, when a contest
has been on, the delegates have been
turned into the convention hall as
tagged and numbered in
the minds eye of the contestants as
though they wore an outward emblem
Of fealty. This is what we are to see '
this year, apparently, if there is no ,
break in the program. Is there any
good reason why this should be the
case? Are the people of the state
really helpless Are they under COM {
pulsion to have either Gen. McCul- |
Tough or DR.. Webb for governorp
1--WE believe that the mention of al
most any VermOnter of recognized fit
ness for the place, and with a record 8
TO commend him to the public |
would meet with quick re-
sponse. Since, in compliance with
precedent, the candidate {
his year must come from the west !
side of the mountain, Fletcher Proc
or, the speaker of the present House +
)t Representatives. comes naturally to
mind as a peoples candidate. and he d
las often been suggested as such. 1t