The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1913-03-28
Return MIR. Hapgood.

Judgments based on the happen
ings of the moment oftentimes must
be revised with the passage of time
and the period between first thought
and revision is not always lengthy.
Just now there is general expression
of genuine and widespread disappro-
baton of the action of the legislature
of 1928 because of the fact and
loose methods it saw fit to adopt in
the dissipation of state funds in the
paying of gratuities to various SER
wants of the state during the life of
the session, which happily came TO
close before the citizens were so
thoroughly exasperated that they
might. by common consent, have
sought relief by the injunction route,
had it been open to them.
Perhaps there was no newspaper
in the state that took so much ex
ception to the tactics which Mr. Hap
good, of Peru. adopted in his at
tempts to block the passage OF GER
tain measures as did The Messenger.
Nor does The Messenger see any
reason to regret having taken the
stand it did, but it feels that out OF
justice to the Inca it must admit
that many things which he adyoeat-
ed were most worthy and this paper
recalls that 1t deplored the fact thai
Mr.. Hapgood had destroyed his use
fulness by the very obviously foolish
means he employed to attain his
ends. Had his been such tempera-
ment as would have caused him to
have led the horse to water instead
of trying to drive 1t, he would have
been one of the leading figures IN the.
past legislature rather than the gen.
eral target for criticism which he
deservedly was.
Mr.. Hapgood saw the necessity OF
hubanding the States funds, but he
so emphasized himself as to defeat
his intentions. You nay reason with
man and secure good results, but
call that same nan thief and you
defeat your own plans, especially If
action on your words is, 10 be taken
in a few moments or IN few days.
Such was the fault OF Mr.. Hapgood.
He lost view of the larger ends, to be
Obtained because OF the shortsighted-
aess of his mental vison. Had there
been a Charles ID. Watson in Mr.. Hap
goods shoes the results would have
been far different.
There has been considerable said
about the return of old members to
the next legislature, that there might
be shortening of the session, by the
elimination Of the expensive school
of experience now necessary, when
the house is composed mainly of new
members. Whether to return Mr.. Hap,
good or no is an oIen question and
one which must he decided by the
very few voters. of Peru, despite the
interference OF outsiders. 1t ought to
be said that one of the constitutional
amendments, recently adopted. takes
away from Mr.. Hapgeod one of his
weapons of harm, for now he could
not get the ayes and nays at any
time the spirit moved but would have
to call to his side. a number of his
colleagues. With Mr., Hapgood's pow
er of obstruction, greatly reduced, 1t
can be seen that he would not be so
Objectionable a member as he has
been and it might even be argued
that be would be an asset because he
would be a motive for the discussion
OF important matters. by the pre--
and the people and IN, this way would
be doing a roundabout service.
Does the state want an eccentric
character, fully equipped by educa.
ton and entir'sly fearless, to call at.
tention TO che commonwealth
faults? The state can't decide this,
1t rests wit,s the people of Peru, but
what Peru will do win be awaited
with moro than passing interest in
every corner of Vermont.-St. Albans
Messenger.