Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1910-09-15
rAg RESULT IN ERMoNr.

Dr.. John A. Mead ws- elected governor
Of Vermont at the September election
last week, as everybody expected be
would be. His majority, about $4,000, is
the smallest with one exception given a
Republican candidate for governor in
Vermont since 1856 whenever there has
been q square stsndup fight between the
two parties. That exception was in 1880,
v hen there was a combination Of detec-
tions on both state and national issues,
among the former being the same n
that has counted so largely in the recent
canyass-the use of money and methods
repellant to the feelings OF many Republic
cans.
The small majority given DR.. Mead is
no surprise. II represents the protest OF
several thousand Republicans Of unqnes-
toned standing against the methods en-
ployed by and in behalf OF the candidate
to secure the nomination; methods not
original With him, or for which be was
wholly to blame, but against which it
seemed necessary in behalf OF good citi-
zenship and clean politics to cast oppos-
ing votes. Nor does the detection to be
counted in the absolute loss Of votes for
the head OF the ticket cover it all.
Where one Republican voted for the Dem
ocrat, or failed to vote, at least another
voted with an inward protest, regretting
that the call to party duty seemed for the
moment stronger than the inclination to
administer a party rebuke by so radical q
step as cutting the chief candidate on the
ticket. 1t takes a good deal to shake the
average Vermont Republican from his
party, even temporarily, and only a
strong conviction. Of ones personal obli-
cation under the freeman's oath would
prompt it.
The detection from Mead was not per-
sonal, nor was it due to disappointment
among his opponents over his success in
the convention. The boilers, so-called,
are Republicans who have supported can
didates many times who we're not their
choice. They have been beaten be-
in conventions and turned in solidly
for the regular nominee. They acted
upon principle this year in deciding not
to vote for the candidate who, in their
held his place on the ticket
through the employment OF means and
methods whose entrance and apparently
establishment in Vermont politics
they r~eprobated.
II the lowered vote for G~overnor-elect
Mead; il the detection Of five to eight
thousand Republicans who voted the rest
Of the ticket straight; II the bolt, open or
silent, Of some half dozen Republican
newspapers in the state; IL what has been
said and what done, shall have tended
to bring about the result desired-no
employment in Vermont OF politi-
cal methods alien to our spirit of govern
ment, corrupt in their influence and
effect, debasing to the body OF the cleo
torate-those who acted the freeman's
part viii feel that the course they took
not In vain. II candidates in future
ire made to understand that a nomina-
lion however procured is not equivalent
10 a triumphant election therein all is for
gotten in enjoyment OF the full party
vote, the sacrifice made by those who,
many for the first time, drew upon them
the censure that always goes to the
potter, will not be regretted.
One thing more: The result has not
he slightest national significance. The
majority, except for governor, is quite up
o the ordinary of years. The total vote
vas light, due largely''to the heavy rain,
nd the Republican margin, figured in
thousands, fell of to correspond. The
cent is fully up to the mark. The
'ermont state election in presidential
ears reflects in quite a Measure the trend
I national sentiment; in OF years it does
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