The Caledonian-record. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1920-current, 1922-09-16
CURRENT COMMENT
Backbone

BACKBONE
Cong. Frank Greene'S reply tC
the questions of the Vermont
League Of Women Voters is chat
acteristic of the man. He does
not agree to every proposition
nor as some candidates do, SUI
pinely follow the ideas which he
is expected to follow without the
dotting of an i', or the crossing
Of "t." We quote from his let
ter to Miss Ormsbee:
az feel that it is my duty to
the whole people to meet each is
sue as it arises with my best judy
ment at the time and under all the
circumstances then existing. | am
deeply sensible of the fact that
pubic affairs are sadly compli-
Gated, serious public issues are
even threatening domestic peace,
and | am more and more impress
ed as time goes on by the solemn
responsibility that rests upon
members of Congress in this criti-
cal period.
"If | am to have the privilege
and the responsibility of trying
to represent the people of Yer
mont in the United States Senate,
| must be as free as they are to
face my duty as | see it from
time to time
This is the kind of talk that dis
tinguishes a real statesman from
mere rubber stamp. We do not
mean that a member of Congress,
be he senator or representative,
should ignore the wishes of his
constituents but we do believe
that member should keep in mind
the fact that he represents the
people, not a faction or clique.
1t would be well if there were
more men of Frank Greene's back
bone in both state and national
legislative acknowledgements En-
terpriSe and Vermonter.
The Vermont Governorship
When informed of the nomina-
ton of Redfeld Proctor for gov
ernor of Vermont by the Republi-
cans in Tuesdays primary, Lieut.
Gov. Abram w. Foote, the defeat
ed candidate, declared that he
would do everything in his power
to support him (Proctor) in the
election and administration, adding
"there will be no friction of any
sort" That's the kind of talk
that is typical Of the man. Lieut..
Gov. Foote was an earnest seek
er after the gubernatorial NOM
ination as an honor worthy of be-
ing sought and as an opportuni-
ty to serve the state; he put up a
fair, clean campaign and placed
his record before the voters as
evidence of his good faith. He
was counted out at the polls by
a comparatively small margin, and
thereby was defeated in a cherish
ed ambition, but Lieut.-Gov. Foote
nurtures no sharp feeling of re-
sentiment against his successful
rival or against the people of Yer
mont who refused him the NOM
ination. He proposes to be Yer
monter first, last and all the time,
lending support to the various ac-
tivities for the betterment of the
state and doing what he can to aid
the prospective governor in carry
ing out his policies, declaring
""there is little difference in his
platform and mine" 1t is good
to note the display of such fine
spirit, not that it was unexpected
but because it augurs so we'll for
the advancement of Vermont in
various lines. If all the people of
Vermont should stand as ready to
lend cooperation as this defeated
candidate is, Vermont would find
itself in a much more advantage
Gus position.
That Redfeld Proctor will have
occasion to use whatever cooper
alton Lieut.. Gov. Foote can give
him is certain, for the affairs of
the state are not in a wholly sat
isfactory condition, although it is
hard to place the finger on just
what situations are particularly
unsatisfactory. As has been said
so often before, there is need for
a man of special genius to enter
upon the governors duties and
give wise direction to the ramif-
cations of government, to counsel
tactfully with the legislature and
to keep in constant touch with
as many sides of the states acti-
vities as it is humanity possible for
one to do. No one expects Proc
tor to be a superman in the po-
sition of governor; but a good
many people have strong hopes
that he will bring to the office an
insight and a force which will
prove of value to the state. 1t
is trite saying that there is a
fine chance to give that service but
OF course, it is true, as everyone
knows who knows Vermont.
Granting that in the normal
course of events, Redfeld Proctor
will become governor of Vermont,
the people of the state as a whole
ought to join hands with Lieut.
Gov. Foote in promising to lend
whatever influence they can to-
ward the betterment of the entire
state.-Barre Times.