News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1902-06-11
THE STATES ATTORNEY QUESTION
From Johnson Standpoint.
Does Hyde Park Want the Earth /?

Does Hyde Park Want the Earth?
Mr. EDIToR:-The people of johnson ask
for space in your paper to reply TO your edi-
torial of June 4th, in regard to the question
of who shall be our next States Attorney.
We do not claim that on account of Hyde
Park being the shire town, and thereby gain
ing the prestage and profit derived by the
sessions OF court, and location of the jail in
That town, should be urged as reason why
| it should not have it's fair share of the county
| offices. But we do claim that it is a good
and sulnclent reason why it should not have
more than its fair share.
Every nominating convention since the
writer of this article can remember, and |
don't know how long before, has been held in
hyde Park. Is there any reason for it? VOL
| colt, Morristown, Stowe Cambridge and
johnson would all be pleased TO have it, and
each OF these towns can give just as good ac-
commodations for the convenience and com.
fort OF delegates and spectators as can Hyde
Park, and some of them better We hope
the County Committee in two years from
| now will take this matter into consideration.
we think the plate upon which this peach
| is served should be passed around
The question of Probate Judge next comes
to mind. don't know how long Hyde Park
has held the office-a resident Judge, too.
| do know that there is in the County a
growing desire for change Hyde Park GER
tainly can lay no claim to it, and the present
incumbent must feel as though he had been
| finely used. We need a good man for the
place. One who can get firm grip of the
law and will hew to the iue, with no uuib.
bling. Several towns in the County have
just that man.
A. D. Robbins, our High Sheriff two years
ago, was nominated from Eden, but ii he is
nominated this year-and we most earnestly
hope he will bet will be nomination from
the town of Hyde Park. "Guss" lives, votes
and pays taxes in that town
Now, Mr.. Editor, the shire town, with the
Nominating Convention, with Judge of Pro.
bate and with High Sheriff is reaching after
States Attorney against Johnson with no
County Plum, and asking for only one, let
us see with what consistency. Referring to
your article of June 4th we see that you put
it on the ground of the Colonies age, ability
and experience and Bicknells lack of age and
experience.
Go back with me to 'S4, think it was,
when ID. NJ. Mcfarland was nominated for
States Attorney from Hyde Park. He was
young then, as you accuse Bicknell of being
now. The Colonel, il am correctly informed
was then 8 years old, and must have had
the ability and at least some of the experience
OF which you now speak, but you had no use
for the Colonel them it was young springy
timber you wanted, out of which to make a
States Attorney.
Again in '94, the Hon. R W. Hulburd was
made States Attorney. Rodger was a boy
then, seeking advancement, as Bcknell is
now. Rodger has grown fast and we are
glad of it down here in johnson. The Col
one in the meantime has increased ten years
in age bringing him up to 81 years, at that
time, and correspondingly in ability and ex-
perience, we suppose.
But did we hear anything about it at that
time? Did the News AND CITIZEN say that
Hulburd was young and could wait two years
and the Colonel was entitled to it on account of
age, ability and experience? Not a word
1t was the young, vigorous tree you wanted
thea.
Why such a change in your views now? 1t
looks to u.s. Judging from your past record
that you would prefer the growing tim Der
now il you had it available. If Mr.. Bicknel
occupied the same position in Hyde Park
that he does in Johnson who would the News
AND CITIZEN be in favor OF? Your past rec
ord clearly answers that question.
The rule of promoting young attorneys to
the States Attorneydhip in this CountgA-,g
well established, with no exceptions in re-
cent years. How can we break away from it?
The attorneys who have been in practice a
few years and have an established reputation
have met with success in their profession,
don't want it. They can't afford it for the
money they can get out of it. They have all
seen the time when they did want it, and have
all been honored with the Office, have had the
experience which it brings, increased their CIR
Gle of acquaintance and all the other benefits
to be derived from holding the office, and as
we, the citizens OF Lamoile County, look back
upon their record, comparing them with the
attorneys in other counties, we can't help but
be little proud of Them we must admit that
the boys have been good and faithful SER
wants.
Mr.. Bicknelrs qualifications for the Office,
both In natural ability and legal attain
ments, are more than an average he has
the ability, the backbone, the grit, coupled
with spirit of fairness which peculiarly fits
him for the position.
As to his standing in town, will say that he
is entering his fourth year as town clerk and
treasurer and has no trouble in furnishing
his bond. good recommend we think for
young man. The town of johnson has some
rights some claim to the office. Since the or
ganzation of the County we have never had
the Attorneyship, and the records will show
that we have never asked for our fair share
of county honors.
Please, Mr.. Editor, in the future keep your
ear little closer to the ground that you
NAV hear the wants and desires of your pat
rons in surrounding towns as well as at the
town of your residence, or else you lose your
reputation as a political prophet, for Mr..
Bckne's friends do press his claims for the
office, and the Town of Johnson will press her
CLAIM to recognition in County Convention.
But our knowledge of and acquaintance
with the voters of the Town of Hyde Park is
such that it leads US to say that, were it pos
sble we would be willing to leave this ques-
ton with them to settle The great MAORI
ty of voters in Hyde Park are all right, fair
minded and LIBERAL but the ways of caucus
are sometimes past finding out, but nomi-
mating convention seldom goes astray.
FAIR PLAY.