The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1902-02-05
TOWN AND CITY OFFICERS.

journal, WIFI SpeClal TeIeTeDCe 10 UlS
choice of candidates for mayor and
aldermen of the city of Montpelier,
applies, also, with equal force to
every town and village organization
in the State. The selectmen of every
town, the road commissioner, school
directors, superintendent of schools,
ETC., should be the men most capable
to discharge the duties of the Office for
which they are named. So with the
executive officers of incorporated viii
lagos. Superior qualifications should
be the %touchstone applied to all candi-
dates. Their selection should not be
made on any of the grounds a proper
regard for the public welfare would
condemn, or which a good farmer or
iudicious business man would not
sanction in the choice of his assist
ants. Following is the article:
Wasn't it a bit of irony that the
popular expression, in commenting
on the Journal editorial of a couple
of weeks ago, which attempted to pic
lure an ideal candidate for the mayor
atty, should be, 1.-THE writer is after
an ideal man and he can't be found?''
The Journal is willing to to admit
that probably no ideal man could be
found-but if such a man cannot be
found in Montpelier in Vermont,
where in the whole political world
can we hope to find one?
Vermont's history is a history of
the evolution of a simple and clean
people struggling for ideals. When
Vermont stood off the approaches of
New York her strength was borr of
her ideals of freedom and %independ-
ence, and the men who led her forth
and planned her campaigns were not
far from ideal leaders.
When Vermont bafled New Hamp-
shire, 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 well that
she has almost universally been repre-
scented by men approaching. the ideal
as clean politicians.
Just for a glance thrown before
your mental Observation-Disclosures a
high minded man he was! Who but a
Vermont servant and chosen one of
the people gave the inspiration of
idealism to the whole Cuban conflict?
AS long as history is read, the world,
Spain included, will acknowledge the
fact that the attitude of the United
States to Cuba was little, if any, short
of ideal. Now aren't we a bit pessi-
mistic in acknowledging hat while
nearly ideal men and acts IA be seen
all about us, Montpelier can have nei-
Their? ''How have the mighty f~allenl''
Why are we the barren city? We are
not. That cry that we can't approach
the ideal is the cry of self delusion.
1t does not ring true-and is not true.
Now let us use the microscope. The
evening Argus of Monday, january
30, said "Up to date there are five
men who would like to be mayor
Alderman NJ. W. Wheelock, j.. M.
Boutwell,, Mayor Brown, and Alder
men Harlow and Laird" Here is a
statement that will serve us in the
present study. Which of these five
men do you think more nearly APP
proaches the ideal man for mayor of
Montpelier?
This is the appeal to be made to the
average voter: Don't swallow every
thing these mems friends tell yon.
Think for yourself? Just think of
a few of the component parts of your
ideal. The first is, he must possess
an ~irreproachable character, a man
hood that will stand or fall with the
right, as far as he can perceive the
right. Such manhood will possess
sobriety. No man can drink hard and
serve the city efficiently. Intoxicants
and business do not go together. Ask
any up-to-date railroad corporation.
Such a manhood must possess direct
ness. Duplicity is not in statesman
like manhood. 1t must be simple and
see with a single eye, so that the
right way may be clearly perceived
through the fog of political complica-
tions. 1t must be broad so as to esti-
mate the rights of every class of citi-
zen 1t must be true to exactness.
These are a few of the elements of the
ideal man.
Place these men, one by one, voter,
over against this ideal. Compare
them carefully, and ask yourself the
question For which one of these men
or for what other man shall l vote in
order to keep the growth of Montpe-
lier morally at the fastest safe pace?
Has one of them done you a favor?
Favoritism is not to be considered UNI
less your fauorer is the best man. Is
one of the men of your beloved party
and the Others not? Party is no ar
gument in municipal politics. Does
one of them belong to your ''set?'