Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1896-05-01
One View.

II will be a duty and pleasure for The
Phoenix to do all in its power to further
the election of William Mckinley or any
one of 20 or more eminent Republicans it
might name in case any one of them re-
ceives the presidential nomination. 1t
does not, however, see the situation in the
light which led the great majority of the
Republicans Of this state on Wednesday.
1t believes it was a mistake for Vermont
to fall from the line in which are marching
her sister states OF New England. 1t be-
lieves that Thomas b. Reed is entitled TO
the presidential nomination, not because
he is a New England candidate (although
this is a matter of no small pride) but be-
cause he has rendered his party and his
country the greatest service of any man in
public life today.
The question which was solved in the
5lst Congress under the lead Of Speaker
Reed was of far greater Importance TO the
working of American institutions than any
| possible bill upon the tariff or currency.
The practices which Mr. Reed stopped
self by giving the minority power to reduce
| Congress to impotence. Mr.. Reed made
| Congress business body, not for one ses-
sion, but for all time, and the Democrats
Who cursed him as "cZar' were obliged
| to adopt his own rules after they came in
to power The supreme court had in the
meantime justified Mr.. Reeds course.
The fame of the man for whom Vermont
| Republicans have expressed their prefer
ence rests more than anything else upon
the tariff bill which bore his name-a bill
in the formulation of which other Republi-
cans had an equally important part. Did
Vermonters stop to consider that it was
Mr.. Reed who made the Mckinley bill pos
sible?
Mr.. Reeds record and declarations on a
stable currency have no trace of wobbling
or of evasion. The Springfield Republican
makes good point when it says that he
"has refused to make pledges of favors to
come in return for promise of delegates in
the St. Louis convention. He is standing
across the path of the demand of territories
untitled for statehood who ask for admis-
sion to the Union at the price of their
votes"
Mr.. Reeds writings and his public ut
terances stamp him as a statesman. His
presentation of the Republican side in the
final argument when the Wilson bill was
under consideration was one of the best eff
forts on the floor of Congress in this gen
Grafton. Mr.. Reeds record for executive
ability, positive convictions and unswerv-
ing honesty will stand the test. There is
no question where he stands. There would
be protection enough with Reed or any
eminent Republican at the helm.
Conditions are ripe to grow enthusiastic
over high tariff and it is easy to talk oi
the return of prosperity, but prosperity re-
quires more than one thing. The empty
dinner pail appeals more forcibly to the
voter thar e "tax" on the tin, but wher
the pail is filled the thought dwells prln,
cipally upon the "taX," Conditions change
Twice the Republican party has lost the
presidency on the high tariff issue. W.
will win in 1896, but we may find in 190(
that we went too far and promised toe
much.
The Phoenix does not believe in CROSSING
bridges until it comes to them, but it woulC
be untrue to its convictions if it did no
point out what it sees as a mistake.