Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1903-11-26
who Would Re a Governor ?

Surprise has been repeatedly expressed
that LAWYER Alexander Dunnett of st.
Johnsb bury should refuse to allow the use
of his name as a candidate for the re-
publican nomination for the Governorship
the coming year One has only to listen
to Mr. Dunnotts eloquent discourse on
the mutituGinous thorns concealed about
the gubernatorial rose, however, to Won
der how any man can possibly be in
duced to make the sacrifices necessary to
become a successful aspirant for the gov
crnorship. With sweep of his hand he
asks how many citizens of Vermont fit
to be governor have added a cuhit to their
stature, or words TO that effect. looking
at the question from any point OF view
that nay be chosen, by securing an cleo
ton TO the executive chair, and after he
has cited examples. the audience is forced
to reluctantly admit that most of our
governors are no taller after taking than
before
/ 1t is only after Mr.. Dunnett has handled
without sauntlets and polished off the
problem what to do with our eX-govcr
there is method in his gubernatorial mad
ness. At the conclusion of his vivid word
picture Of the deporable condition in
which gubernatorial rainbow chasing
leaves victims of the governorship germ,
one can not help actually plying this UNI
fortunate class. sad to say. however.
there are apparently some men in Yer
7 hos nt
talked on this subject. At least if he has
talked with them they are still uncor-
vortcd At least still further, IL they
have been converted TO Mr.. Dunnett 5
way of thinking, they have not made
public profession Of their faith.
As a matter Of fact Lawyer Dunnett
seems to occupy position on this sub
ject which must at times superinduce a
somewhat lonesome feeling, not unlike
that Of church spires mid village cots. -
Gladstone chose to decline a repeatedly
offered title, pr"fcrring to remain the
crcat comWou"r of Great Britain; and
while Lawyer Uur 't may not have re-
Gently initiated his British prototype by
shouldoriue his ago aui cutting down his
rem7Iu Verm'rt- popular commoner and
20 down iu cur State annals hand ir
band with another lonely citizen of dis
tinction who orce upon a time knew who
was going to be governor but would not
tell.
Lawyer Dunnett has some excellent
IDEAS on office-holding in general in Gun
in Il inn L.,
VOL in order to relieve him of any posi-
Pc er1barra ssment to explain that thi:
is not an authorized interview" II,
ipi1s thai the great majority OF our pro
r.,siou.' citizens who accept what ar,
kurwu 1- salaried public positions do 8,
aj fine expense of their profession as wei
- IT 'mruDi al sacrifice. AS an illustra
tiu. o., shows that Vermont has had few
Judges on her supreme bench who coulc
got have realized more lucrative return,
from private practice. In cases wher,
pruro~ sioual men have taken office re
Qrwug most of their time. and have late
returned to private life he emphasized
tho fact that many have found their prac
ticc gone and their business vanished.
question from this point of view. tn
mon best qualified to hold office canno
afford to enjoy political prefermcnt; an,
that for them elevation to public position
- a sacrifice.
This does not apply to the governorshiI
of Vermont, of course; for the Fraction
p of time devoted to executive duties out
side of the legislative session is not large
and the financial sacrifice is not exces
0 sive at least after the official plum ha
I been safely basketed, If the time eve
T comes. however, when an election a
chief executive Of our commonwealth
means patriotic sacrifice, then we ventur
= the assertion that Citizen Dunnett of s.
Johnsbury will not refuse to put asid
% his halo of gubernatorial remuneration.
I