Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-01-30
Vermont Character and Idealism In Mu-
nicipal Politics..
(From the Montpelier Journal.)

Nermont's history Is the story of the
evolution of a simple and clean people
struggling for ideals. When Vermont
stood off the approaches of New York her
strength was born of her ideals of free
dom and Independence, and the men who
led her forth and planned her campaigns
We're not for from ideal leaders.
When Vermont baffled New Hampshire
it was by the same strength and wisdom
born of her ideals. When she has sent her
representatives. to Congress she has had
her ideal men in mind and she succeeds
so we'll that she has almost untverS ally
been represented by men approaching the
IDEAL as clean politicians.
Just for a glance thrown before your
mental Observation-Disclosures a high mind
I'd man he was Who but a Vermont SER
want and chosen one of the plain people
gave the inspiration of idealism to the
whole Cuban conflict. AS long as history
IS read the world. Spain included, will ac-
knowledge the fact that the attitude of
the United States to Cuba was little If
any short OF ideal. Now arn't we a bit
pessimistic in acknowledging that while
nearly ideal MOI and acts can be seen all
about us, Montpelier can nave neither?
How have the mighty fallcni' Why are
we the barren city? We are not. That
cry that We cant approach the ideal IS the
cry of self delusion. 1t does not ring
true and is not true. Now let us use tho
iIlltI oStbIf. Inc Evening argus Oh hlDll-
lay January %, said: Up to date there
are five men who would like to be mayor
Alderman NJ. w. Wheelock. J. Nj. Bout
well. Mayor Brown and Aldermen Har-
low and Laird" Here Is a statement that
will serve us in the present study. Which
Of these five men do you think more near
lY approaches the ideal MAJ for mayor of
Montpelier?
This is the appeal to be made to the
average voter: Don't swallow everything
these mems friends tell Think for
yourself. Just think OF a few of the COM
ponent parts of your ideal. The first is.
he must prossess an irr%eproachable charac-
ter. a manhood that will stand or fall
with the right, as far as he can %percaiva
the right. Such manhood will possess so
hrietv. No man can drink hard and $ rye
the city efficiently. IntoXicants and bus
mess do not 60 together. Ask any up-to-
date railroad corporation. Such a man
hood must possess directness. DupllcitY
is not statcsmanlik manhood. 1t must
he simple and see with a single eye.
so that the right way may be clearly per-
ccivcd through the fog Of political compli-
cations. 1t must be broad so as to esti-
mate the rights Of every class Of citizens.
II must be true to eXactnoss. These are a
few of the elements OF the ideal man.
Place these men, one by one, voters, over
against this ideal. Compare them care
fully, and ask yourself the question: For
which one of these men, or for what
other man. shall | vote in order to kes p
the growth of Montpelier morally at tn
fastest safe Tacc? las one Of them done
you a favor? Favoritism is not to be
considered unless your favorer Is the best
man. Is one of them OF your beloved par
" and the others not? Party Is no argu-
mcnt in municipal politics Does one OF
them belong to your set? Your set is
Of no account compared to tho city's well
fare. and If the interests Of the two
should come into opposition the set must
he ignored
Voter, make yourself a civil servica
agent. Put these and all other names
through a strict examination in your
mind. Let them tax the ~onsequences If
their credits. and whom they have I'll been
rated carefully by you, YOU find the man
with the highest average, the man who
approaches nearest the ideal. and vote for
him. Thrust aside personalities. little ia
voritisms, petty likes or dislikes, triVio II
unconFenialti,s. and vote for him I'm the
primaries. So only shall Vermont and
Montpelier approach the ideal and continue
tnoir history for the history of vermont
politically is the clearest approach 10 po-
litical ideals tho country can produce.
1T us not in this age exchange birth
SNpht for pottaEo by acknowledging for an
instant that we cannot approach the ideal
in our city elections.