Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1922-04-26
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PLATFORMS

In commenting on the candidates.
of Foote and Proctor for the nomina-
ton of governor, the Bellows Falls
Times touches upon thought which
seems to be receiving more attention
this year than usual, and that is the
Importance of platforms which say
something and mean something. The
Times says:
"Both candidates say they are for
strict economy in state government.
Very well. Where will either cut off
half million in state appropria-
tons? Will either agree to looping
off 100000 from the appropriations
for bovine tuberculosis, or $4,000
from state probation and charities,
or $25 900 in supervision of schools,
or $4,000 from the state eboard of
health? If not, where is the half
million cut to be saved? Has either
clear-cut program for economy IN
state expenses? If so, why not pub
lish it now instead of reserving it
for message to the legislature The
people of Vermont would like to
know before they cast their ballots
where those who are to have an I'M
portant part in shaping legislation
stand.
Meanwhile this paper refuses to
advise it's readers to support any man
for governor just because he says he
would like the office. The man who
comes to the people with a clean-cut
program demanding economy combined
with efficiency in state government
with a bill of particulars attached adj
vocating square deal for farmers
and the establishment of the fun
damentals in our schools, the pro-
gram to be supported by the reputa-
ton for character, experience and
ability of the candidate, will advance
his candidacy a long ways toward
the desired goal"
The Burlington Free Press recent
ly expressed a similar sentiment
when it referred to certain candi-
date for the legislature who had, &C
cording to that paper, stated frank
ly and clearly the various aims for
public welfare he will seek to pro-
mote, if elected" The Free Press
further says, eff any man seeks cleo
ton and is not willing to take the
people into his confidence before nom
ination the taxpayers have right to
hesitate to have confidence in him as
their representative"
Other newspapers have expressed
like sentiment and Vermont men of
prominence have been heard to ex-
press themselves as Disguised with
ethereal statements like those issued
in the last gubernatorial campaign
by the present governor, which
soothe but mean nothing. Platforms
SO hedged about with verbosity and
qualifications as to mean nothing on
ly indicate the character of the men
behind them and we suspect that as
the campaign warns UP Foote and
Proctor will be called upon for r'ore
and more strict interpretations of
their statements.
There are great advantages for
the man who is elected upon a plat
form which says things. He is in
structed, as it were. His opponents
and his supporters know what to ex-
pect.
Platforms have meant little in the
past campaigns but there is an evil
dent inclination to demand more and
not less of platforms in the future.
The Burlington News speaks as
follows:
.'We might suggest to Mr.. Proctor
and to Mr.. Foote~ as well as to other
candidates who may be preparing to
enter the campaign that thinking
people are getting away from the
personal element in politics more and
more and that constructive programs
appeal more largely than formerly.
We imagine the candidate who de-
veiops the most definite program
dealing with state expenses and their
possible solutions and goes to the
voter with it in frank spirit is GO
ing to come pretty close to being
the next governor of Vermont.
The fundamental in Vermont pol
itics today is the ability of leader
20 show US program that will give
US efficient state service at lower
cost"