The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1915-01-19
Expects Safe and Sane Administration

Expects Safe and Sane Administration
4 Beyond all doubt the man who has
just acceded to the Office of governor of
Vermont represents the free, untrammel-
ed choice of the people. Charles w.
Gates TO the last protested that he had
no personal ambition TO become COVER
nor and it was only because he con-
ceived the action of the Republican state
committee as imposing an unacceptable
duty upon him that he accepted and led
his party, not only to a glorious vic
tory, but also into harmony of its parts,
which harmony had been shattered by
the so-called Progressive movement OF
ll0i2
Because of the unique conditions sur
rounding his nomination and election,
Governor Gates has peculiar oppor-
tunity for signal performance. In his
mind can lurk no doubts as to his pop
ular position; he was truly called to the
office. He can count on the support OF
the people in his efforts along eonstruc
tive lines. He is under obligation to no
faction. for a man who has come into a
position he did not covet can hardly be
said to be under obligation to those who
OVERRIDE his desires and thrust the pc.
sition upon him despite his protests,
1t is no time to write a yaledietory
at the beginning of governors term,
and it is far too early to be lavish in
praise, for the road lies all in the fu
ture, But judging from Mr. Gates pre-
yious performance in office there is ev-
cry reason why Vermonters are justified
in expecting from him what might be
termed a safe and sane administration.
As state highway commissioner he has
shown that he holds the ultimate good
Of the state as of most Importance He
has shown strength in successfully meet
ing strong opposition 10 his highway
policy and he has had the supreme pleas |
ure- OF having some of his former OPP |
ponents recognize the soundness of his
policy.
From the manner in which he per-
formed his duties as highway commits
sioner, allowing as he did no political
To swerve him from what /
he conceived as being the proper course,
one may expect that MIR. Gates viii be
the governor of the whole state of Yer
mont, not the governor for himself or
for the Republican party And this
is emphatieally as il should be. 1t is
utterly impossible 10 conceive that Mr..
Gates is nourishing any political am
hition whatsoever that would tend 10
make him consult something different
than the best good OF the state. Free OF
ambition as he surely is, except the am
bition OF winning the appreciation of the
citizens who nave so signally honored
Bim. he viii not be under the pressure Of
figuring how this or that ac-
lion might possibly affect his future ca
'cer.
Governor Gates is fortunate in pos
,essing these various elements OF
strength for he comes 70 Office at a try
ug time and will find himself face 70
ace with some problems touching init
nately the welfare of his state In sim.
,lo language, be has a mans job on his
lands. he win find his knowledge Of
.ermont gained BY intimate contact
With the people from one enc OF the
commonwealth 10 the other, OF infinite
alue 20 him in the days 10 come. The
Iermont atmosphere il naturally his
nd ono may expect that he viii see
hings in the Vermont Sht and do
hinge IN the Vermont way.
That Governor Gates may retire from
a.re two years from now the possessor
4 the same abundant public esteem that
) his to-day. i the earnest wish Of bic
ariou Of friends and supporters in Yer
sont ST Adams Messenger.