Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1910-02-23

the fellow at the other end.-Middle-
bury Register.
Herald Sees Niggers Everywhere.
Candi 1ate Mead's platform sap-
peared in last weeks issue and Candi-
date Fleetwood's is published else
where on this page. The art of pro-
ducing platforms that read well,
tickle the popular fancy and when
studied carefully mean very little and
definitely bind the candidate to al
most no positive action is fast becom-
ing actual science in Vermont. Take
DR.. Mead's as an example.
He favors in a general way what 1T
is clearly apparent practically everv-
one favors. In specific detail he is
DELIGHTFULLY."- vague. If elected he
couldScut loose from his platform
without troubled conscience, for he
has promised nothing that need
bother him. He favors business adj
ministration on lines of economy and
efficiency which means spending
much or little; practical schools; :"
''the development of farming inter-
ests by means of an agricultural
school and model farm"-which we
have already, with little actual result
to show for it; "a system of taxation
that will equalize the burden, mini
miZe double taxation and develop
rather than restrict opportunity
which means anything or nothing |;
''better roads for Vermont by the in
PRODUCTION of improved methods, with
state supervision and aid whenever
practicable anybody would agree to
that, in effect it is meaningless; "the
good Offices of the executive in set
thing labor disputes"-how extended
and applied deponent saith not /;
court reform, "a radical reduction of
court expenses by business methods
of dministrat ton mice expression,
but how carried out? claws that will
encourage and foster Vermont indus
tries with the view of providing home
market for our agricultural product"
calculated to tickle the producing
interests, but void of meaning meas
ures calculated to boom Vermont as a
summer resort.
That is the sum of theMead platform,
it is almost destitute of substance. 1t
is craftily designed to catch votes by
offending no one. It has no more
backbone than a fishworm. 1t hits
straight at no abuses and points no
definite way to reform. In effect it
means-"I want to be governor. !
am compelled by custom to offer
something in the way of a platform.
so here goes. l have made it mild
enough to suit the most fastidious.
Really, 1t ought to please everybody
and hope it will, for | want to be
governor. Your votes, please.
Mr.. Fleetwood's platform is much
more to the point. He comes out for
direct primaries, corrupt practices
act, district courts, trunk line svs.
tenn of highways, county forest pre-
serves, state taxation commission,
and referendum on main issues OF
state policy, though he no more than
hints at resubmission of the liquor
question. Comparing the platforms,
it must be conceded that Mr. Fleet.
woods is definite on most points
touched, while DR.. Mead's is alto.
gether vague. Neither is quite sc
comprehensive as one might wish.
Many questions certain to come up are
deftly side stepped by both. But of
those taken up Fleetwood S pronounce
ments are the more practical, while
Mead contents himself with genera
declarations on themes either academ
ic in their nature or where the tide
has plainly set in. He is taking M
chances is DIR. Mead Randolph
Herald.