Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1910-03-02
DR.MEAD VS.. "ANYTHING--ALMOST'

The Randolph Herald and News last
week put the first real live touch into
the anti-Mead campaign. Like most
of the editorial expressions of this
journal it was courteous and to the
the point. The Monitor will undertake
to discuss the eight reasons the Her
aid advances why Mead should not be
elected, and will try and do so in a
courteous AMI sane wav.
/. The Herald says: He is too old
almost seventy-to give the state
the service needed in that important
office.
The Monitor believes that this moot
ed question of age has already been
thoroughly and effectually answered to
the satisfaction of 80 per cent of the
people of this state in about the fol-
lowing way: That years alone is no
reason why a man should or should
not be elected governor, ability to
execute the duties of the office is
really the qualification. The Monitor
further contends and submits the mat
ter to the consideration of the Herald,
that Mr.. Fleetwood the discus
sion must at present be limited to
Mead and Fleetwood lis as much too
young in years as Mead is too old.
In referring to 40 years of political
history the Monitor does not find a
single governor elected as young as Al
years of age. On the other hand we
find one man elected governor at the
age of "a years.
2. The Herald says: He has no
balance of claim against the Republic
can party for good deeds done that
has not already been more than dis
fore given him.
Again the Monitor must answer
by comparison and will make this
statement: DR.. Mead has greater
claim against the republican party
than F. G. Fleetwood. as great as G.
II. Prouty had. as great as G. j. Bell
or ]. G. Mccullough had before elect
ed governor, not to 90 further back.
The Monitor stands ready to discuss
this statement in as great detail as
the Herald desires to lead.
8. The Herald's third point is
He has no definite constructive ideas
for state bett .rment, as shown by
his vague and meaningless "plat
form"
DR.. Mead's platform may not be
all that is desired in platform, we
suppose no platform would be idea
except we write it ourselves-but tc
term DR.. Mead's platform vague anc
meaningless" viewed in the light OF
platforms since they became fad II
this state, is overdrawing it. We
are not just sure what constructive
ideas for state betterment" would
cover but in view of the fact that
many states and cities are being
greatly benefited by publicity, and il
view Of the fact that the best mind:
of the state have Of late been advo
eating and urging publicity, DR.
Mead's statement that he favored
laws and publicity encouraging CAPT
tai to Vermont and the advertising Of
our resources, and natural beauties
would seem to our layman mind /;
constructive idea" for Vermont!
"betterment." His statement tina
he believed in using the good Office o
the executive for settling disputes
between capital and labor is not yer!
vague" and when the benefit of sucl
thing is figured, viewed in the ligh
of the recent lockout and strike i
the central part of this state. wher
hardship' and privation were felt b
5000 laboring men. and the estimate
loss to capital and labor combined
$4,000, 900, this Idea" is not linear
ngless" to this sta e, but vital ir
deed.
a. Fourthly the Herald says: H
has made no record as lieutenant GOV
ernor that demonstrates his superiC
claim to promotion. It is a goo
time now to prove that Vermont he
no hard andfast rule of advancin
lieutenant governors.
Gaugeo oy the usual conceptions
the office of lieutenant governo
Vermont has not suffered by D.
Mead's service. The Monitor cannc
say that as a presiding officer d.
Mead was superior to other men. br
his acquaintance generally admi
chat his characteristics and tempe,
ment are such that executive rattle
than parliamentary labor is best adam
ed to him. That he has been a oor
executive has never been denied. h
superiority as presiding officer he
never been claimed. AS far as II
promotion of acknowledgements
concerned the Monitor believes tn;
because a man has served in the G.
pacity of lieutenant. governor is !
reason why he should or should n,