St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1909-10-06
DR.. Mead'S Candidacy.


But few newspapers in the state have
as vet committed themselves to the sup
port of a candidate for the governorship
in191O but the Orleans County Monitor
has openly espoused the cause of Lieu
tenant Governor Mead and closes
lengthy editorial as follows:
Without discounting the qualities of
Fleetwood, or any of the other talked
OFFS" the Monitor would respectfully
ask: Why DR.. Mead is not better quail
fled for governor? Has he not had more
legislative experience? Has he not had
more business experience? Is he too old?
Is his career dishonorable? Is his army
record against him? What are his dis
qualifications? Fleetwood is young.
There are other campaigns coming.
Mead fought in the war; suffered injuries
that have famed him for life but has
never asked a pension. Is there any
reason why Lieutenant.Go Governor Mead
should not be governor? Why should he
be turned down?
The Monitor is frank. Will anyone
tell US frankly WHY?
= Let US combine the first two questions.
1t is difficult for the CALIFORNIAN to dis
cover that DR.. Mead is better qualified
for the governorship than Mr.. Fleet
wood or Highway Commissioner Gates
1.-THE only other talked Of" who may be-
come a dangerous competitor to DR..
Mead. There has been vast amount
of progressive legislation in Vermont
during the last decade. A state system
of road building, an enlarged state con-
troll in educational matters, closer sys-
tenn OF inspecting state institutions,
modern and effective system OF auditing
state accounts have been installed and in
many other ways the state has accom-
plished Improvements that called for
active Identification of political leaders
in their enactment and successful execu-
ton. Not in any of these things has the
name of Mead been connected because he
has had no active part in their accom-
plishment. On the other hand both of
the other men have been actively identi-
fed with this progress and are more con-
versant with Vermont sentiment than
DR.. Mead and that is why he is not bet
ter qualified for governor. He may have
spent more time as member OF the leg
islature than some of the men mentioned
h,.A Ia hos haa,, raCanntzad a
legislative leader and his legislative ex-
perience does not entitle him to further
promotion. In the last session when the
need OF leader was so sorely felt. DR.
Mead did not show himself in any sense
a leader.
us he too old?" Yes. No man who
has passed his SEVENTEEN birthday is
competent to fill the position of govern
or of Vermont with its strenuous re
quirements. The improvements in state
affairs have been the work of young mer
in the prime of life and they were posi-
bly, only by men in the full possession o
their strength. They cannot be left to {
man who has passed his zenith.
SIS his career dishonorable?" This
question is answered no, but whereeve
you find confidence that DR.. Mead will
win the nomination for the governor
ship you will find the expectation tina
he will win it with his money. But few
la1;aua ne c1o; ~, ba nc ., ,.,;,, tha oOyarpOr
ship any other way or that he can do i
that way with honor.
SIS his army record against him." Nc
Nor should it help him to a position h
is disqualified by age to fill He is er
titled to honor for his service in the wa
but not entitled to position that is to
difficult for veteran of the war to fill a
this time.
The last two questions asked by tn
Monitor may have been answered abov'
1t should not be argued that DR.. Mea
is not good business man. that he doe
not have many admirers and supporter
or that he lacks many good qualities
but his record does not show that he
qualified to assume the position of leade
in constructive legislation, that he
physically qualified to assume the pos
ton and the wide spread belief that, if
wins, he will win by his money hand
caps him in an honorable aspiration fc
tie place.
BrightlOOk Hospital.