The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1916-09-15
"Let the People Rule"

Some of our contemporaries have ex-
pressed surprise at the small number OF
Republicans who turned out in Vermont
the other day to express choice as to
their candidate for the United States
Senate. We take the opposite view. We
are surprised that so many voters took
the trouble to express preference among
the candidates whom the new and pro-
gressive theory of letting the people
rule had brought to the front.
In the old days of the boss and the
caucus, and the money power and ev-
ervthing else that was nefarious, the
little Green mountain state sent to the
Senate George E. Edmunds and Justin 5.
Morrill,, statesmen OF the first order. The
former, still living in Philadelphia at the
age of So, with his mind as clear as
bell, was one of the great figures in
great period, one OF the few Americans
who could have had the presidency had
he consented to accept it. Morrill,, his
long time associate, gave his name to
the tariff act of 1863 and lived to take
seryiceable part in the legislation lead
ing up to the Spanish war. These were
giants, but they came into prominence
as lawmakers before the modern idea,
as exemplified in the popular primary
had made its blissful appearance.
What has now happened in Vermont,
with such peerless traditions OF states
manship? Its voters have just renomi-
mated Carroll S. Page, one of the least
useful men that Vermont ever sent TO
the Senate. He is, of course, originally
product OF the old system, but at the
age of 49, with no quickening of mental
Iitv observable with the years, the peo-
pie" give him another term. He is a
dealer in raw calfskins, and very rich.
One of his opponents, who thought OF
himself as a proper instrument by which
the people might rule, was Allan NJ
! Fletcher, commonly rated at S2O,oo0,ooo,
made in the West Lured Tor summer
resort purposes to the home of his fore
bears, he has been for decade or so an
all the year round resident. OF un-
deniable business capacity, he would be
without marked senatorial qualifications.
Charles w Gates, who ran third in this
race. probably was the most nearly de-
serving of senatorial honors. He is a
moor man. BY nominating him the peo-
nla could have shown how little affected
the new system was by those aids to
success which money can buy. Not lib
erallv educated. he has some capacity as
a surveyor and engineer, and would-b
particularly competent as a highway
commissioner. He would, as senator
have been a good man on the District
OF Columbia committee.
We do not raise these contrasts foI
the purpose of speaking unkindly Of the
three Vermonters who sought this com
handing distinction We deem it, how
lever. pertinent TO record that the pop
ularized machinery for the nominating
and electing OF senators sas as vet done
nothing to improve the product Quite
the contrary Mountains and hillock'
never looked in stranger disparity thar
the senate OF the period OF Edmunds
and Morrill, and that which our popular
urinary on both sides Of the political
fence Is now building up.
This old Bay state has a chance, hap
pilv. in the coming contest, to retain
In the United states Senate one Of il:
LEADERS Of distinction. Only a few 81
tbem are left. IL is an open question
whether if we had TO start in over again
70 pick cut q Republican candidate fol