Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1906-06-15
OBJECTS TO PRECEDENT PLAN,
J. O. Newton Signs Letter Endorsing Bar
ber's Candidacy,
Editor Of Reformer;

Editor Of Reformeri
In the last issue Of your paper on the
sth inst. there appeared on the editorial
mage an article regarding the contest for the
states attorneyship now going on between
Frank v. Barber and II. q, Bacon entitled
Follow the Precedent, claiming In said ar
tele that there is an established precedent
In this county which would give the nomi'
nation to Bacon, as he was admitted to
practice prior to Barber, and In substance
that Barber is not an eligible candidate be-
cause Of this fact.
This ought not TO be the issue upon which
to settle an important contest; Il Is wholly
Immaterlal who was admitted to practice
arst Some OF the more substantial facts
upon which to determine this contest are
Who is the best qualified to discharge the
duties Of this otfee, and can be entrusted
with the business thereof Who would bring
to the office the highest dignity and ef'
aeIency Of servicel Whoever receives the
nomination should be an attorney well quail
fed from experience In his profession TO
discharge the duties Of the office with honor.
| have known Frank +, Barber from his
early boyhood to the present time, and know
that he fully meets the above requirements,
and | am fully satisfied that the republi'
can voters Of this county would make no
mistake In honoring him with the nomina'
ton.
Under our system OF government, no man
has legal title TO any public office until
he has received the nomination and election
at the hands OF the public, and received his
commission from proper authority, and
cannot understand how you can safely argue
that Mr.. Bacon has such legal title or claim
TO the office Of states attorney for this
county over Mr.. Barber. The fact that Ba'
con was admitted to practice before Barber
Is not the question. II is a question, who
Is the best man for the office, and 1t Is for
the people to say. This question should not
be left to few local lawyers or ring Of
politicians. The public have an interest in
this matter, and should settle the same at
the caucus, and | trust that all republican
voters who believe In electing the right man
10 this office will be present at the caucus,
and cast their ballots for delegation that
will support Frank +. Barber.
The "precedent" referred to means, po'
litieally speaking, "After me, you will be
taken care OF next This is the way poll.
tieians usually distribute public office when
the people do not interfere The public
cannot expect efficient service and honest
administration in public affairs by servants
selected In this manner. II the states at
sorney is TO be nominated according to such
supposed precedent, It deprves the peo-
pie OF right to make a choice, and they
would be compelled to accept any person
whose turn came. without regard as to
whether or not they wanted him. Or in
other words the office must fall to the at
torney in the order in which he was ad
mitted to practice, regardless of character
and qualification. II is not wise policy for
the intelligent voters Of this county and state
to elect public servants in this manner
thereby deprving the people Of any voice
in the premises Yours truly,
j. c. Newton
Brattleboro, VT. June 49, 1906.