Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1909-10-13
AGAIN WHY

Two weeks ago the Monitor editori-
ally asked why DR.. Mead should not
be governor, believing that a free
discussion of men and policies at this
time would be beneficial to the voters
before they go into winter quarters.
In boldly asking for all disqualified
tions of DR.. Mead's for governor the
Monitor had in mind the thought that
the truth about him is not to be
feared, falsehoods seldom do lasting
damage With one exception the chal
lenge has gone unans wered-a decided
tribute to DR.. Mead's qualifications
and strength. The solitary spokesman
against Mead is the St. Johnsbury
Caledonian and it's array of statements
will hardly have lasting and damag
ing result on the Doctors candidacy,
for most of the statements lack foun-
dation, being made seemingly from
memory or hearsay. The great thorn
in the flesh of the Caledonian appears
to be the age of DR.. Mead, which that
paper says is more than 70 years.
While not far from the truth it is not
fact that DR.. Mead is that old. He is
68 years of age now. While two years
actually makes very little difference
in ones physical ability, so far as that
ability is taxed as governor of this
state, the difference is enough to show
which way the bias of the Caledonian
is cut. What matters a few years
anyway? Many men are old at so and
55, others are young at rs and 80.
Some of the ablest men of this state
are from IS to rs years, young, keen,
active, progressive. alive to better
things and up in the morning before
the younger fry. No doubt the duties
of successfully managing the immense
industry of which Dr. Mead is the &C
tive managing head, his calls for pub
lie speeches and duty are as much of
a physical task as that of the large
majority of the men. young or old,
of this state.
The Caledonian also says that DR..
Mead Ibid not show himself in any
sense leader in the last session. -
The Monitor is not aware of the fact
that 1t IS the place Of the Lieutenant
Governor to lead session of the leg
islature. DR.. Mead was not and nc
leutenant-governor is member of a
session of the legislature and even if
he had been a member of this last
session and the most capable Of all the
capable men of Vermont. we doubt if
the legislature would have been
led" The statement that DR..
Mead has chad no active part" in the
prog1 essive legislation of the past
few years needs qualifying to quite
an extent as did the statement about
the Doctors age. AS member OF
the legislature of 1906, he spoke for
and voted for a number of the bills OF
progress passed at that session.
1.-The most unkinde5t cut of ALP in
the Caledonian's answer to our editor.
ial is found in answering the question,
''Is his career dishonorable?" Here
the writer insinuates that DR.. Meac
with clean record for So years, is
now using money fraudulently in this
campaign This insinuation, that wa.
started by some idle gossip, had beer
sifted by most of the press and fount
untrue, but is here again thrown int
the air to float like milkweed down
uncomfortable. If the Caledonian ha
facts to back this insinuation why no
present them? If it has not VIII
spread such fancy? The Monito
would like to know if the Caledonia
has proof of this implication of d.
Mead? If it has and will presen
them the Monitor for one will fgh
DIR. Mead. In the meantime, frankl
why should DR.. Mead be turned down
What are the real reasons why
should not be governor?