Virgin Dip

I have discovered that most citizens have only the vaguest understanding of the problems and procedures of the legislative bodies of their own states. In spite of the increasing intrusion of the federal government into our lives at all levels, state government still plays a very important role. In fact, precisely because federal involvement is frequently accompanied by complex federal regulations, state legislatures often help protect our local interests.

To be sure, this book deals only with Professor Smallwood's virgin dip into legislative politics and his freshman term in the Vermont Senate (30 members). But state problems are similar wherever you are, and human nature doesn't vary much. Thus this book should prove pleasant, profitable reading most anywhere from Maine to California. It is well written, has enough of the light touch to keep the reader happy, enough detail to give a meaningful picture, and it gives a lively record of a good college professor doing his thing on quite a different stage from a classroom or lecture hall.

Smallwood first describes his agonizing decision to make a run for a Republican nomination to one of the three senate seats allotted to Windsor County. He gives a very frank account of his primary and election campaigns and a detailed account of the areas of his activities during the 1975 and 1976 sessions of the senate.

The general public is perhaps most familiar with the formal activities of the senate, with debates and votes on numerous bills. But that is only the tip of the iceberg. Much more of a legislator's time is spent in committee meetings, where he must deal with citizens, lobbyists, and officials of the executive branch. Then the legislator must also attend a goodly number of public hearings, often held in the larger house chamber. In addition, there are personal contacts with his colleagues, time-consuming work with constituents, and obligatory appearances before such organizations as Rotary Clubs, League of Women Voters, and perhaps a Chamber of Commerce. Smallwood gives lively accounts of all such.

Since after retirement from teaching I served ten years in the Vermont House (150 members), these pages bring back memories. Somewhat younger and hence more active than the Old-Timer, Smallwood was a more vigorous and effective legislator than I - though I hope I can claim a few stars in my legislative crown.

Although Vermont is a small state both in area and population (440,000), it faces all the demands of a well-run state government and is, therefore, heavily taxed. Yet we are, we hope, still a "free and independent" people. Smallwood's book reminds us in lively fashion how an academic-minded professor can make his contribution in the world of Vermont's practical politics.

FREE AND INDEPENDENTBy Franklin Smallwood '51Stephen Greene, 1976. 235 pp. $10.50

Professor of history emeritus, Al Foley is alsoone of Vermont's greatest natural resources:author, raconteur, honorary mayor of Norwich,home also to Vice President Smallwood.