The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1910-05-26

self, but taken in connection WITH the
conditions that inspired this law, the
situation is relieved of any possible
doubt as to what the people Of Yer.
mont, through their representatives
in Legislature assembled, intended
when this statute was enacted.
The year 1902 witnessed the most
scandalous campaign for the Govern
orship in the history or Vermont poll
itics. The moral sense of the whole
State was shocked at the lavish ex-
penditure of money and the reckless
methods pursued in corrupting the
electorate during that campaign YER
mont, as never before, was humiliat-
ed and her good name for high ideals
in civic government was assailed and
disgraced.
The feeling at that time was 50
intense that the Legislature which met
that year gave quick expression t. it's
purpose to forever eliminate the pos
sibility of any recurrence of such a
carnival of corruption, and this stat
ute became law November 10, 1902.
AS fitting accompaniment to sec
tons 104 and 1885, section LOG was
added as follows:
No publisher of a newspaper or
other publication issued at regular
intervals, in this State, shall. direct
ly or indirectly, receive or accept mo-
ney or other valuable thing in pay
ment or compensation for the support
or advocacy in such newspaper or
publication of the nomination OF any
person as candidate for a public
office in this State" The penalty is
severe, there being no limit upward
to the amount of fine imposed.
The whole intent and purpose of
section 106 unquestionably was to pre-
vent the substituting of the press
which was notoriousIy in evidence in
the 1902 campaign
So we have this interesting situa-
ltion at the present time DR.. Mead a
candidate for the nomination for Gov
Iernor, employing a general manager
to look after the details and promote
the doctors interest throughout the
different sections of the State To be
sure the general manager denies that
10 pau any lulllS lOI HIS 06INlCGS
but this is so greatly at variance with
John L. Lewis history through life
that the denial is taken with several
lgrains of salt.
i But in the case of d. H. Lamberton,
Iwho is employed to conduct the Mead
publicity bureau and write editorials
for various Mead papers, We hardly
think that he, under oath, would de-
clare that he is not being paid for
ibis services. Neither do we believe
THAT certain attorneys, who have been
travelling throughout the State in DR..
, Mead's interests, are performing this
service for love.
/, Contrast Dr. Mead's methods with
those of F. G. Fleetwood. Mr.. Fleet
wood is conducting his canvass in ac-
| cordance with law. He is not en-
ploying a general manager, an edi-
tor-in-chief, attorneys or any one else
, to promote his candidacy. He goes
before the people in an honorable and
= respectable way, presenting his
J claims for consideration wholly with
in the intent of the law. This posi-
; ton of Mr.. Fleetwood is in entire har-
, mony with his publicly expressed
!, purpose to publish his campaign ex-
penses.
1t seems to the Standard that DR..
: Mead is playing with fire. If the law
: placed upon the statute books in 1902
governs the action of Mr.. Fleetwood
: it certainly should be made to gov
ern the action of Dr.. Mead, and We
= believe that the aroused sentiment of
: the people of Vermont will compel
such action on his part before the
: campaign is through.
If it is done, as the Standard has
before stated, he never can be nomi-
ment for Dr.. Mead yor Governor of
Vermont.