Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1909-12-24
FRIDAY. DECEMBER "a, 1909.
The Rights of the People.

ne Ht9ntS OF the People.
The editorials which we reproduce
this week from the New York Daily
Tribune and Daily World, show that the
automobile question is rapidly assuming
new phase, that of stringent regula-
ton, which public opinion in the great
city of New York, sees will be abso-
lutely necessary.
1t takes the direction of demanding
new laws licensing chauffeurs, and
looks towards the Legislature to meet
their demands. 1t also fully endorses
the veto of Gov Hughes of the bill
passed almost unanimously by the New
York legislature at their last session
permitting automobiles to regulate their
own speed. We shall certainly soon
hear more of these demands; for the ac-
cidents contine to increase, and will, I'M
Ill sufficient remedy is applied.
And what is a sufficient remedy? The
demand for far more precaution in
licensing chauffeurs is good, as far as
it goes, and will doubtless be met by
the Legislature. But neither this nor
the laws limiting speed meets the diff
Guilty. The trouble with all such laws
is that they are not observed on the
contrary are constantly violated, not
only by few, but by the great majo
ity of those who use automobiles, and
always will be, unless the most strin-
gent laws are made for their enforce
ment, the execution of which would
necessitate very large expense, and the
laws themselves otherwise be unsatis-
factory.
There is but one way out of this
difficulty, and the quicker and more
generally it is taken, the better: and
that is restricting automobiles to GER
tain roads.
Any effort to control the situation
short of this, is a mere waste of time.
lives and property.
1t becomes then important in Yer
mont to select men for the higher Offices
that are loyal to the people in this most
important matter. As Governor. of
names already mentioned. we doubt
not Mr.. Hapgood would be, and. as we
understand it, Mr.. Fleetwood; the two
together might work WELL the one being
at one end of the State, and the other
at the other end. We do not believe
that any one who owns an automobile
can be nominated at this time, unless he
gets rid of it. There may be other can
didates that are all right, or they may
be introduced hereafter.
Another thing must be looked after
at this time, and that is the rights of
the small towns. 1t is up to you, YER
monters Green Mountain boys of the
smaller towns, any town with 1000 or less
inhabitants, or indeed any town that is
not city, to organize in each town for
the protection of your constitutional
night of representation, and to do it so
thoroughly that it will be years before
1t will be attacked again. All the
signs of a concerted attack against
representation of the smaller towns in
the State Legislature, have been mani
tested, and quite openly for some time.
1t is for you to see that no man who
would vote for such measure is elected
to the legislature next fall. And it is
your duty to see that the men chosen
to the higher offices are chosen
from among those who are loyal to Yer
mont in all her needs, and who will
favor such regulation of automobiles,
as will give the citizens who do not use
them, at least their proportionate right
to safe use of the highways. That
is, have certain roads which automobiles
are not permitted to use, following the
lead which has been set in this matter
by our kindred New England State of
Maine
The section of the laws there passed
will be found in the letter on this page
from valued correspondent, headed
Protecting the Rights of the Public
In this way all will have certain roads
which they can soon reach, that they
can use with both comfort and safety.
This will be especially a great relief
to women and children, and indeed to
all who use horses or go a-foot.