St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1904-05-11
For Governor, MIR. Bell of Walden.


The convention to nominate the repub
lican candidate for governor and other
state officers is to be held at Montpelier,
June 80. ., z=zzssas..zz7ss.zsa
Caledonia county has a worthy candi-
date for the head of the ticket, and will
present the name of Hon. Charles ]. Bell
of Walden.
The Burlington Free Press says: "The
first consideration in connection with
the choice of candidate for governor is
the selection OF that man who can give
Vermont the most able and efficient and
creditabe administration. Other things
being equal it is right and fitting that
Vermont republicans should select as
their standard bearer that man whose
nomination will mean the most enthusi-
astic campaign and the largest possible
majority. This com bination of qualif-
cations is demanded by considerations
of state politics, as well as by the part
which Vermont always plays in connec-
ton with presidential campaigns.
"For any candidate or the friends of
any candidate to ask the republicans of
Vermont to ignore these considerations
would be selfshne IS of the most extreme
character. For the republicans of YER
mont to be satisfied with anything less
than the best candidate would be deserv-
ing of rebuke at the polls and to invite
such rebuke would be an approximation
to the spirit of political self destruction.
Vermont Republicans are not merely
to elect state government this year. It
is ours to again set the pace in Septem-
Der for the nation in November. It both
duties are we'll done, rich will be our her
itage, and the best governorsh1p nomina-
| ton means the most sweeping and far
reaching victory.
Without in any way disparaging the
claims or overlooking the good qualities
| of other candidates suggested for the po-
| sition, we cannot but feel that Mr.. Bell
| fully answers the above requirement. He
has had legislative experience, he has had
| administrative experience. That he is
| thorough organizer and great success
| as an administrative officer is abundant1y
established by his work for the state
| grange, of which he is the present head,
| and tor the national grange, of which he
| is member of the executive committee.
| He is a farmer, not only theoretically, but
actually, and from actual contact with
| the soil knows the needs and require
ments and limitations of the Vermont
| husbandman. His successful, but difficult,
work on various state commissions and
| at present as secretary of the state board
| of agriculture. have brought him directly
in touch with the agricultural interests OF
| the state, and there is hardly man in
Vermont today who is better known
| from the Massachusetts line to the Cana
| dian border. Everyone comedies his
| hardy common sense and his strict hon.
esIy of purpose.
| We hope the choice will fall to the
| gentleman from Walden. If nomina ted,
Mr.. Bell would certainly bring the ma
jority at the September election up to the
old-time level, and, when elected, he
would give Vermont good business-like
administration in which the rights of the
common people-of the everyday people
of the state-would receive the due con-
sideration and respect they deserve.
For governor, Hon. Charles J. Bell of
Walden. list. Johnsbury Republican.
MIR. Bell and the Peoples' Interests.
| It is no disparagement of the two 9th
ers to say that Mr.. Bell is without ques-
| ton the man of all others whom the
farmers of Vermont look to as the lead
ing exponent of their interests. AS the
able and efficient secretary of the state
board OF agriculture, he has proved his
intelligent interest in Vermont farming.
He has been state senator and has also
served on the board of railroad commits
sioners. He is typical Vermont farmer
and for the first time since Maj. Josiah
| Grout was governor the farmers may be
said to have a candidate. At the last
session of the legislature the farmers who
were members of that body organized
the Vermont farmers legislative organic
alton, and $50 members composed this
unique association. His position as mas
ter of the state grange gives him very
warm place in the hearts of all Vermont
| Patrons of Husbandry. In his annual
address before the state grange at its re-
cent annual meeting Mr.. Bell defined his
position on certain public questions so
clearly that no one can mistake him. He
favors state inspection. of all corpora
tions, just and equitable distribution
of the burden of taxation, pure TODD
| law, more power for the state railroad
commission, and revision of salaries
and official fees. The average Vermonter
would be glad to see legislation along
these lines, though corporate and rail-
road influence would naturally oppose
Mr.. Bells candidacy. But if we are to
have straight pull between the people
of Vermont and the corporations the
earlier it comes the better. The people
could wish for no worthier or ADLER lead
er in such contest than c. ]. Bell.-lNew
] England Farmer.