Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1906-07-05
MACHINE. ""alNc, ""soss. "ETc

tions OF the terms, machine, ''ring,
boss and Organs" applied as cpl
thets to the regular Republican organ
ization, leaders and newspapers.
Even in the platforms adopted by the
two parties that fused, these expires
sions found frequent place. II is We
hemently charged by Mr.. Clement and
his followers that Vermont is governed
by an all-powerful machine that over
rides the will and desires Of the peo-
pie that this machine is run by boss
or bosses intent on their own selfish
schemes, and deaf to the interests OF
the state; that the offices are parcelled
ont by this gang Of political free
hooters Tor their sole advantage and
enrichment; that the affairs OF the
state are in woeiul condition, owing
to the greed, neglect and incapacity Of
the bosses; that the states institu-
tons, its finances and various depart
ments are conducted by set of graf
tiers who rob and plumber the poor,
defenceless people; and that the press
OF Vermont is gagged and forced to do
the will OF the masters, covering mp
their misdeeds or deceiving its readers
by false statements OF tact, when ST.
lence is no longer possible.
Now it is absolutely necessary to the
political success OF Mr.. Clement in
this year OF grace that he should first
convince the majority Of the voters Of
Vermont that the state is in a bad
way; this done, it may follow that
they will accept him as the Moses to
lead them out OF their present distress.
Here, then, is motive sufficient for the
heavy stress laid by the Rutland eandi-
date on the alleged iniquities that pre-
vail in Vermont. 1t will also occur
that possibly Mr.. Clements set pur-
pose to win the prize for himself may
have led him to-shal we say excess
OF zeal For instance, ii is barely
possible, is it not, that Vermont does
not really suffer the ills that this
would-be governor describes, or at
least not to the degree charged. And
if this be established in the public
mind, ii might follow that he would
not hear so strong call as be appar-
emily anticipates tor his services in pr
loting tle ship OF state out from
among the rocks and shoals that now
threaten it-as he says.
1t behooves us, then, 10 investigate
Mr.. Clements charges. If they are
true, Vermont may command him to
take the helm-a task that he does not
appear disposed to shirk. Or it may
prefer some other helmsman, not lik-
ing his style Ii untrue, then Mr. Glenn
ent is merely an alarmist, seeking to
crafty his own desires for preferment,
or to humble his political enemies by
describing conditions that do not ex-
list, by making Vermont sort of
Gehenna in her own sight and that of
the outside world In short, under
these conditions, Mr. Clement becomes
a demagogue, pure and simple.
It's first necessary to Mr.. Clements
propaganda that he should establish
the existence in Vermont OF a Republic
can machine, all-potent, corrupt and
remorseless, so that he can pose as
the Observation-Disclosures who is TO
beard it in its castle and Stay it while
the multitude halls him as its deliv-
erer. He says there is such a ma
chine. Is ne stating fact
There is in Vermont a regular Re
publican organization. 1t consists of
the state, district, county and town
committees, chosen biennially by all
Republicans who care TO take part.
Any Republican who can get votes
enough can belong to it. The diff
Guilty always is to get men Of worth to
accept the duties, which are wholly
gratuitous, and often entail a good
deal OF work and worry. We never
heard OF any member Of this organiza-
ton profting a dollar from his service.
We have known many who gave yalu-
able time and paid ont good money
absolutely without returns. Occasion
ally, a member is selected Tor some
office, it is true, but in the majority of
cases the offices 90 to the good fel-
lows" who have done tar less work for
the party. If there is body Of hard
working, un@lfsh, deserving men,
it is the political committees that CON
stitute the basis OF the Republican or
ganization in Vermont.
Such committees are necessity to
any political party and exist in all
partips and all stqfas Thav ara +bo