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.