The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1911-11-14
The eovernorshlp

We are still so far away from the
campaign for the goyernorship in
1912 that it may, perhaps, be posi-
BILE for a newspaper to discuss some
phases of the matter without being
suspected of Interior purpose in the
interest of this or that man who may
have been suggested as possible
candidate. In that attitude OF disin-
terestedness, The Messenger would
like to offer few suggestions re-
garding the Republican party policy
In the campaign that will soon begin
TO take shape and in the administra-
ton of the government that is very
likely to follow it unless the unex'
pected happens.
II does not matter whether II Is
the right way or whether there Is yet
better way, the fact is that the
American plan of civil government
is influenced by the idea of a gov
eminent by political parties. II Is
condition, and not a theory, that
confronts us, and with this condition
we must deal until in the process OF
evolution some better condition may
be substituted.
The first proposition that The
Messenger would Offer then, is that
the party canvass OF 1912 should be
for the choice of party leader as
we'll as for the nomination OF par
" candidate for governor. Because
the Republican party has long been
In an overwhelming majority In this
state. we have come to look upon the
party organization as a thing estab-
lished, fixed, and enduring and con
cerned ourselves almost wholly In
elections in the comparatively friv
olous matter OF determining what
man in the organization should reap
the titular honor and dignity OF the
goyernorship. We have fallen into
the habit OF regarding the party or
ganization as a fact accomplished
and unshakeable, and have simply
employed its machinery in distribu
| ting patronage. SO that when the Dl
ennial election period came around
our principal concern has been In
struggling among ourselves over the
selection OF some one OF several IA
yorites who shall wear the governor
ship in his buttonhole. Sometimes
we have luckily hit upon good men
progressive, ambitious, public spirit
| ed men, that have employed the pow
or and influence Of the governorshiI
10 advance the best interests o
the state. Sometimes We have sim
ply invoked the power OF our deat
weight of supremacy In the yotinl
strength to seat some agreeable Eel
low citizen In the governors chai
because he happened to be the on
among several good fellows that go
the most votes in the state conven
ton. All the time. the idea that tn
party organization is properly to b
employed only to advance the caus
OF good government in the state an
for the state has been but n films
and nebulous Idea with the most o
us.
We are living In period OF poll
lcal fiux and change. Signs are no
wanting that the long Wanted rocl
, ribbed Republlcanism OF Vermont
becoming honeycombed by a latitud
OF political opinion, a variance of II
dlvidual convictions on public a
fairs, that smacks very strongly Q
the unrest and loose regard OF pal
" lines that prevails Throughout
the remainder OF the country. II th
Republican party Of Vermont Ia I
continue to maintain It's supremac
among the voters OF this state,
must stand for something beside th
spells of office. Il must Identify itsel
In the popular mind as holding {
principles OF government that con
mend themselves to popular judi
ment and II must put up candidate
that embody those principles in thel
personality and not merely candle
ates that are simply employing IN
party organization as a steppin
stone TO the qualification OF persons
ambition st. Alhana Meeaenner.