The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1908-06-13
FRANK 3. HOWE, Editor and Publisher
Mead or Barnes.

The Bennington Banner has this
to say about DR.. John A. Mead OF
Rutland, candidate for lieutenant
Nobody questions DR.. Mead's ability
as financier and capitalist but Mr.
Barnes Is the more likable man OF the
two and will add more strength to the
ticket. DR.. Mead has too strong re-
putation as a money shark to ever be
very popular with the rank and file"
This fling at DR.. Mead il UNI
worthy of the Banner, which Is usual
ly fair and courteous In political or
other argument. Undeserved abuse OF
an opponent never won a victory In
politics. but 1t has often defeated the
side which made use OF 1t. Take 1t
from us, Dear Banner, that an acquain-
lance with John A. Mead of thirty
years standing has left the impress
sion with this writer>that the Banners
criticism Is highly undeserved. DR..
Mead Is a worthy citizen Of Vermont.
He Is public spirited, active In good
works, and promoter of the interests
of the state, morally, materially and
religiously. He has always cheerful
ly borne his share of the public duties
in state. county. city, church and
school-in all Of which he has long
been active He Is as democratic q
citizen and as genial a comrade as
anyone should wish to know.
Has 1t come to this. In the con-
sentative old state Of Vermont, that
a successful man who goes into poll
tics shall be compelled to have the
bar sinister blazed across his scutch-
con? Is the accumulation OF money In
honorable business a bar to political
ioffice? DIR. Mead conducts one OF the
great industries Of the state; and has
managed 1t successfully, to the advan-
tage OF the state. II also to his own
profit. His passage from poverty to
competency has been most honorable.
Who shall decry his success In his
great manufacturing industry Does
| 1t lie In the mouth OF the Banner to
assail a man whose money came In
that way; or would the Banner think
kindlier of him II 1t all came from
sinister politics?
1t surely cannot injure the Ban.
ner's candidate-Mr Barnes. an ex'
cellent man-to give DR.. Mead the
square deal. He properly aspires to
the honorable Office and will fill II
with credit He Is worthy Of Chitten
den county's support.-Burlington
News.
The Banner has no desire to be un'
fair to DR.. Mead and does not really
think that 1t has been. We acknow
lodged his success In business which
Is unquestioned and 1t is no slight
thing to succeed in carrying on large
business enterprise. But. and we dis
like to speak Of 1t though 1t is perfectly
proper when he becomes a candidate
for public Office. did DR.. Mead ever dc
anything unless from 1t there was Q
chance of some advantage to DIR
Mead?
Business success is not all there |:
of life. Many selfish, grasping mar
makes success as far as dollars ant
cents 60 but without earning the righ
to much honor at the hands Of his
fellow citizens. 1t is on this opinion
of his character and qualifications tina
we feel that Dr. Mead is not desir
able candidate. We admit that 1
looks cold and brutal to say so in thu
printed columns Of a newspaper, bu
when man seeks public Office h
lays his life and business methods
lopen to public discussion. and II thu
newspapers fail to take notice of sucl
things how Is the public to get then
called to It's attention.
We do not believe that the wage
earners and farmers of Vermont,
they could have full knowledge Of tn
facts, would want to elect DR.. Mead L
Iany important state office.