The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1910-05-11
The eovernorship.

elder of Arlington the race for the
governorship becomes a three-corner-
ed event, with Hapgood of Peru still
trying to eliminate one of the posi-
bilities. Mr.. Batcheider unquestion-
ably will draw strong support in the
southern part of the state, and may
cut in a little on the society candi-
dates gain in the north. We can
hardly see, however, that DR.. Meads
chances for the nomination are much
injured by this new development
in a contest that for lack of interest
stands alone in the history of the
state In reality il would appear
that II real support is lost by any
one Fleetwood will first notice the
effects of Mr.. Batchelder's candidacy.
Mr.. Batchelder has been prominent
as a lawyer and has served as speak
er of the House of Representatives
His residence in small town has
prevented any more serious notice
being taken of him, perhaps, and his
qualifications for the goyernship
| if he has any prominent ones, are a
comparatively recent discovery. His
announcement at this late day will
come as a surprise, and is certain
to be looked upon by some as polit-
ical move in favor of Mead or Fleet
wood. His motives may be entirely
different in fact, Mr.. Batchelder
possibly entertains a sincere and
honest desire to govern the state
But why did he wait until the mixed
complexion of the state press indi-
Gated that unless new life was in
jected into the campaign the result
would be toss-up between Mead
and Fleetwood in the convention?
Was it because he discerned the
real house of cards" nature of the
Fleetwood boom and decided on the
attempt to divide the Mead strength?
Or is Mr. Batchelder the dark
horse" to whom there has been so
much vague reference?
All this talk about Dr. Mead having
lost Rutland county and others would
appear, when carefully investigated,
to be political buncombe. Safe
prophets predict that the doctors
support in this part of the state is
growing rather than falling off I'M
der the personal attacks made upon
him by certain newspapers. Per
sonalities react in a political cam
paign fully as much as in private
life, for they show aninus and like
wise doubtful motives. The doctors
chief disadvantage thus far has been
his endeavor to patch up the rents
in his campaign clothes made by the
publicity bureau. II he decides to
come out in the open and talk on
straight campaign issues during the
coming few weeks, the people
throughout this part of the state will
rally to his standard. Fleetwood
has been making a good impression
and is working hard to make the
state believe that he can fulfill the
promises in his platform His ref.
erendum proposition. however, Is like
a shifting cargo which sinks a ship.
When the qualifications OF the two
chief candidates are sifted down,
there will be left what now is buried
under reams of effusion and recrimi-
nation-a strong, abiding faith in
the Rutland candidates ability to
take the reins OF government and
carry out the will Of the people.
There are three strong factors
that should be considered in choosing
between DR.. Mead and Mr.. Fleetwood
for governor Or. Mead is the sue
cessful leader Of a great industry,
built up by his own knowledge OF
business methods; he presided over
the state Senate with grace and eff
cheney his social qualifications for
the Office Of governor and his knowl
edge OF the details Thereof are as
great, If not greater, than any other
man the present contest possesses.
Mr. Fleetwood's chief argument in
his own favor Is his claim that he
represents a new and progressive
element opposed to the method OF
man seeking office. II Mr.. Fleet.
wood is not seeking the Office at
present, by means OF speech.making
and every other possible endeayOr,
II would so appear TO all other think.
ing men. Kid gloves. creased trous.
ers and shiny shoes, a glib tongue
and a delightful stage presence may
be good things for a governor to
have. but solid experience that will
help 10 run the state on a business
basis constitutes a more striking ap.
peal 10 the reasoning. unsentimental
citizen.
The fact that DR.. Mead has made
some mistakes In his method OF cam
palgning should count In his favor
and not against him. II shows that he
is not an out and out politician. and
has limited knowledge OF the devious
Ways In which a man may be landed
In the governors chair by means oI
wellorgauized machinery. Their,
have been unfair attacks made %