The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1904-04-21
PRESS COMMENT.
Opinions of the Contemporaries on the
Governorship.

Inree washington county papers
Barre Telegram, Mortified News and
Waterbury Record came out with
broadsides almost simultaneously this
week for the nomination of Lieut.Gov
Zed S. Stanton of Roxbury for the gov
ernorship. Bell and Stanton are
now fairly in the field as candidates.
Both are honorable men with credit.
able records and in ability and fitness
will measure up 10 more than the av-
erage calibre of our Governors the past
twenty years. Neither, however, will
arouse great enthusiasm in the party
at large, and neither will be in the
running If Martin or DeBoer can be
induced to enter the lists. -Pheonix-
Brattleboro
Hon. Zed S. Stanton of Roxbury is
formally introduced as a candidate for
the governors ip by the Mortified
News this week. MIR. Stanton is
self-made man of clear Judgment, in
dependent thought and ripe expert
ence Under present conditions, there
may be other men whom it would be
wiser and better to name for the lead
ership, but if Zed S. Stanton is chosen
he will give the State practical, dig
nifed and conscientious administra-
ton of it's affairs. Herald and News,
Randolph.
The Barre Telegram pertinently en-
quires: "What the matter with pro-
noting the present lieutenant-gov-
ernor? He's of gubernatorial size, and
tas aoceptably filed every position he
has occupied - The Tribune merely
ventures to ask if the Teleh ram recon-
mends nominating Prohlbitionist
for governor of Vermont in presi-
Dental vear.-Tribune, Ludlow.
Hon. z. S. Stanton has formally
announced his candidacy for the gov.
ernorship. There are things about
the acknowledgement that make a
formal announcement appropriate. -
Courier, Swanton.
There is no doubt about what the
farmers of Vermont could accomplish
in politics and in legislation, if they
would only unite. 1t seems hopeless
task, however, to get them to agree
with any approach to unanimity on a
candidate for Governor from their own
class, or to reach any agreement upon
legislation which effects their own in
terests. The problem before Mr.. Bell
is to unite the farmers Without sub
stantial union among that class we be-
lieve Mr.. Bells candidacy is hopeless.
Can he get the farmers? -Burlingto
News.
AS vital factor in the contest Mr..
Bell seems 70 be back number AL
ready Men who think highly of Mr..
Stanton are inclined to doubt whether
he is possessed of more than the ordi
nary qualities of an ordinary lawyer
in sufficient degree to justify his Sc
lection for the highest Office in the
State. The fact that he was made
lieutenant-governor two years ago is
sufficient to indicate that his own
party did not consider him as guber-
material timber, for of late years pro-
motion to the governorship has been
tacitly prohibited. The fact that the
leaders of the party insist that Martin
be candidate also indicates that
Stanton's ability is in doubt. 1t is
true that he has filled many minor
offices acceptable, but town representa-
tive, States attorney, Senator, and
the like are offices TO which any law
yer may aspire in his turn. with fair
chance of success The weakest point
in Mr.. Stantcn's claim. however. is
that he stands for nothing He wants
the office because he wants the Office.
That's all. As 10 issues, apparently
there aren't ally -..eformel, Brattle-