St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1911-11-22
Messrs DeBoer and Fletcher.

Messrs DeBOer and Fletcher.
Two men who would like to be
4 the next governor of Vermont have
made public their desires to the
voters. Their names are familiar
as both have been freely discussed
& in connection with this Office for
some time: Joseph A. DeBoer OF
Montpelier and Allen M. Fletcher Of
Cavendish. In fact Mr.. Fletcher S
announcement was not made until
after he had covered the state quite
u thoroughly two or three times by
automobile, had engaged a campaign
manager and made his name public.
4 Mr.. DeBoer at even an earlier date
3 had announced through the Barre
Times that he would be willing to
serve the state as governor but
that he would not enter any I'M
seemly scramble for it, Each man
has made public some of the things
4 he will stand for as candidate, Mr..
Fletcher in an interview in the Bur
Ellington Free Press and Mr.. De-
Boer at a mass meeting of his fell
low townsmen who propose to or
4ganize a club to promote the inter-
ests of his candidacy. Neither man
declared for anything inimical to
s the best interests of Vermont and
both for several desirable things.
Each took a commendable stand
against the improper use of money in
politics and it looks as though the
state is to be saved further dis
grace in that direction during the
zeoming campaign.
But there is a great difference be-
tween the two men and the political
methods they stand for. Both have
had extensive legislative experience.
THAT of Mr.. Fletcher has been char
acterized by policy" and more or
less skillful evasion in close con-
tests. Although his judgment has
been good ON which side of an issue
was right his support of the right
has been guaged largely by its
probabilities of an easy victory. Mr..
DeBoer has always weighed the leg
islative problems, decided as his
Judgment dictated and unequivocal-
#ly declared his position. He has not
always stood with the winning side
but that did not weaken his support
Tor what he believed was right. Mr..
#DeBoer's record has shown him the
more persistent and courageous ad-
#vocate, therefore his declarations
are the more forcibIe at this time.
Courage is always admired by the
public and Mr.. DeBoer's courage
tempered by his skillful judgment
should be an asset in his contest
with Mr.. Fletcher.
There is a wide difference in the
political methods of the two men.
mir. Fletcher clings to the old in Sc
lecting his own political manager
and conducting an active personal
canvass. Coupled with the state
ment that he will not make an i'm
proper use of money we see nothing
adopting this plan. 1t certainly has
the attraction of being a successful
method in the past when money was
Freely used. 1t cannot be consider
ed discreditable for a man worthy
of the position to solicit the support
of the public. 1t does afford how
ever an opportunity to organize a
personal machine that is much
decried in Vermont politics and
axes a very strong man indeed to
resist the temptation to use money to
an extent he would not care to make
public or to make personal pledges
bf Office or other favors that may
embarrass him in his efforts to
serve the peoples best interests.
This has been said not to create a
histrust of Mr.. Fletcher but to
show the danger of the method he
has adopted.
In the matter of method Mr.. De
Boer has again shown himself the
more courageous because he dares
tut loose from the old and suggest
new and apparently safer method.
He declares that he shall not make
campaign of personal solicitation
Although he is willing to give of his
ime and labor to discuss the issues
$efore the public previous to the