Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1910-04-14
Money IN PoIItIes An aIaht.

IL is ell right and proper to criticize the
use OF money in political campaigns for
improper or Illegal purposes, but why all
this hue aud cry about the expenditure OF
money to form an organization to pro-
mote a particular person for the gov
ernorship, simply because that particular
person is blessed with a good supply OF
worldly goods and in forming bis organiz-
alton for tine campaign has shown the
disposition TO have a good one, one that
will stand the windy blasts OF the oppu-
nents and be a fortress for protection
against the attacks Of the enemy Z? Com
mercialism il the one word that is now
used to answer a multitude Of economic
questions and it's the one word that is
most fittingly applicable to the situation
here in Vermont. Notw outstanding the
fact that the propriety OF commercializing
political office is a debatabe one Of
large proportions, the fact is that very
few Offices OF importance are obtained to-
day without the employment OF CONNER
cisl methods. Not only the governors OF
Vermont in the past, bot mayors OF large
cities and even presidents OF the United
States have used the very same tactics 10
gain their nominations. The preliminary
canvass OF the great man who now occu-
pies the White House is a striking illus
tration Of the commercial value Of an or
ganization in political campaign. What
difference does II make whether it's a
brother, friend, or the candidate himself
who furnishes the where-with-all TO sup
port the organization. The successful
business man today organizes his bust
ness into system, advertises extensively.
sends his agents on the road to sell the
goods, aud these same met mods are used
by successful candidates to all kinds of
offices. II these methods are wrong and
illegal then the good men in office in past
and present purchased their positions and
are guilty Of great crime punishable by
imprisonment, and their names instead az
adorning the halls OF fame will be more AT
home In the rogues' gallery. What an abb
surdity
But how about the argument that a
poor man has no chance TO hold Office.
Well, very easily answered. A poor man
Is not needed IN office. A man who Is
really poor is without money or friends.
and unless he is a victim Of some inevita.
bic casualty he is incompetent as a BUSH
ness man. II is very essential that an
ntnee as important as the goyernorship OF
Vermont should be filled by men posses
sing good business qualities. The moor
men may be good theorists, but II thew
IRE not practical and competent 10 exc 4
ute the duties Of the office they are not
wanted. The only question OF impor-
anee is whether or not the expenditure
y money has been excessive or illegal.
. illegal there is a Law and penalty
'nd II excessive and improper. more laws
re needed aud they can easily be pro-
ured u deemed necessary and advisable
I, as IS fumored, Prouty used sss. 600
'rootor $4,000, Mccullough 600. 600 ana
Dr.. Mead intends to use 500 O00 in
'romoting their respective political inter-
q 10 the proper wav, the wav recognized
3 Legitimate, the commercial way II vou
lease, they used aud are using the Same
ueoessful methods that have always been
sed and always will be used. and tbs
utilization Of campaign expenses viii
ave very little material effect upon the
mount OF expenditures proper To use In
political paign.-Vergenn Enter
rise.