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by John Marcotte
I’m reading a 2002 newspaper clipping from The Herald of Randolph regarding the Flood of 1927. It’s written by former Vermont Representative and Senator Melvin Mandigo who was a 14-year-old high school freshman living in Randolph at the time of the flood.
One particular comment he made is very interesting, given the current differences between the role of the federal government versus the state’s responsibilities:
“Another comment I make with some pride as a born and raised Vermonter. President Coolidge (another Vermonter) sent his Secretary of the Interior, Herbert Hoover with an offer of assistance to Vermont Governor John E. Weeks. Mr. Hoover asked Governor Weeks: How much assistance does Vermont need from the federal government? Governor Weeks’ reply: Thank you Mr. Hoover. Tell the president, not one red cent. Vermont will take care of her own.”
‘Thank you Mr. Hoover. Tell the president, not one red cent. Vermont will take care of her own.”
– Vermont Governor John Weeks
“Vermont backed up her governor. Vermont borrowed money by selling bonds on the open market and paid the states share of the flood damage. Vermonters paid their own share as they could.”
In these contentious times, as the role of the federal vs. state government is widely debated, it helps to remind ourselves of this catastrophic event from a simpler time in Vermont history. To remind ourselves of the roots of our great state, the independence we insisted on, the very value system that we exuded and our proven success over the seemingly insurmountable odds when the Flood of 1927 challenged but did not defeat Vermont.
Is it time to rekindle that fierce Vermont independence and responsibility that made, and still can, make us so great? As a native Vermonter this call to our heritage rings loud and true.
I know some will say times are different, the challenges are greater, but is it just that we are different? Do we have a proper balance of federal and state responsibilities? The Flood of 1927 defies comparison, in its day it was as bad as any event now affecting our great state. Are we just weaker, more dependent, more spoiled by being taken care of? Or does the spirit of our ancestors still abide with our state’s residents? How do we want to be remembered when someone in the future reads about us?
The author lives in Williston. He also wrote a Vermont Daily Chronicle commentary last year.
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Categories: Commentary, History
I certainly wasn’t around to peek in on the rebuilding after the ’27 flood. I was at Melvin Mandigo’s funeral though and his name carried weighty respect, something I wish could be said of more legislators of our day. I do hope we might see our way clear to considering “not one red cent,” in this era. We certainly have been making up for lost gains with all the grifts and grafts of our day – there’s plenty of influential leaders accepting out of state funds. I do think there could soon be a day where like it or not, we may be forced in some arenas to get “not one red cent.” Vermonters, be strong rise up if called upon to support Unity and Freedom.
enough of the social democrats. enough is enough.
Bernie ruined that great legacy of ours (he is not even a Vermonter). Now, because of him, Welch, Leahy and other selfish democrats and progs, we are nothing but a pathetic welfare state. We are totally dependent on the federal government going into debt on our behalf. Debt our country and we as grown ups have decided we are immorally willing to dump on the heads of the next generation. Too many on welfare and disability who could be working. I so pity the next generation. So unfair. They can’t pay it back, it is unsustainable, and what will happen to them when it all crashes down?
I’ve told this story of Gov. Weeks to many over the years, highlighting our great Vermont legacy. Where would we be if we had been able to hold on to his fantastic mindset. I believe Weeks did, in the end, allow the receipt some of funds for roads, but we weren’t going into massive debt when he accepted them. That truly was a great legacy.
I encourage you and everyone to share this story, Karen
We had pride back then. We were encouraged to stand up and take care of ourselves. These days parents are encouraged NOT to send their kids to school fed and ready to learn. We have been trained to expect help every time we hit a rough spot, and it doesn’t take much to have a rough spot anymore. Sad