The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1900-08-01
The GrOut Bill In Chicago.

Onarles L. Knight, secretary OF the
National Dairy Union, Chicago, Ill, is
writing newspapers OF Vermont re-
garding the Grout bill. Here is the
letter addressed to the Watchman:
Editor Of Watchman.- Recently the un-
dersigned came into possession Of a Yer
mont paper in which the defeat Of the Grou {
bill was deplored, and the general drift of
the article showed plainly that there is
some Misrepresentation regarding the status
of that bill The Grout bill has not been
defeated. 1t has thus far won every point
against the fiercest opposition. AS secre-
tary OF an organization that is actively en-
gagged In the support OF that measure, de-
sire to request that this misapprehension be
dispelled as far as possible, as such an idea
is liable to discourage our people through
out New England. The fact is that theGrout
bill is in the very best possible position
for us, as it will be acted upon December
9th without fail. giving us three months in
the Senate at the short session, and we have
no fear as to the outcome in the House. The
status of the bill is best comprehended from
the enclosed clipping containing an extract
from the Chicago Record of June 18th, which
will explain itself, 1 am not here suggest
ing anything for publication, but merely
writing to inform you, as an editor, of the
status Of this legislation for your own guild
ance. Yours respectfully,
CHAs. Y. KNIGHT,
Secretary National Dairy Union.
1t is kind in Mr.. Knight, in this tor
rid weather, when even oleo liquifies,
some weeks after the adjournment of
Congress and some months before it re-
convenes, when oleo is the last thing
in the world people care about or want
to think about, to take the trouble TO
remind the Vermont newspapers that
''there is some misapprehension re-
garding the status of that BILL" Secre-
tary Knight ought to be out of Chicago,
reposing among the cool retreats of
Lake Superior, and if he consulted his
own ease or inclination he probably
would be, but with devotion to duty
that merits the highest praise he abides
in sweltering Chicago to warn the Yer
mont editors that the Grout bill is not
dead but sleepeth till the speakers gavel
shall awaken it on the 9th of De-
cember.
"Our people through New England"
and particularly throughout Vermont
ought, therefore, to be very much en-
couraged, and probably would be were
not the letter of Secretary knight en-
tirely work of supererogation. People
of Vermont have been very we'll in
formed as to the real status of the Grout
bill. Among them, or any part of
them, there was no liability to discour-
agement on this score. They were
taking the matter very philosophically.
If there is any encouragement the Sec
retary's appeal, and the printed mat
ter accompanying it, was really needed
to remove, if there are any people who
need heartening up, the discourage
ment must relate to politics and the
discouraged must be the political follow
ers of the oleomargarine prophet. Apre-
text rather than fact has apparently
been seized upon as an excuse to in
ject from Chicago some oleomargarine
literature into the State and the Sec
Rotary is being used as the injector. The
situation 10 Vermont in this connec-
ton cannot be better stated than the
Mortified Ne,os puts the matter in the
subjoined extract from its columns:
We have seen no claim in any newspaper
that the oleomsrgarine bill had been de-
feated and there Is q reasonable question Of
doubt as to whether anything has appeared
that could possibly be construed in that
way. Our observation Is that there has
been a general inclination to treat this
matter with all fairness by the newspapers
which are opposed to General CIRCUITS can
didscy; but however meritorious the bill
may be it has been used for some time past
as campaign material for the farmers, In
the interests of General CIRCUITS candidacy
Under these conditions 1t cannot reasonably
be expected that the opponents of his can.
didacy will become very enthusiastic over
the measure, while the thinking and intel
ligent farmers have right to regard II
with suspicion II not with contempt. II
the bill is all that is claimed for it, it Ia
particularly unfortunate that 1t should have
been utilized In an attempt to promote the
political fortunes OF an ambitious politician
before it had even passed one branch Of
Congress. The Ne,os is not prepared to
say that General Circuit Is directly RESPONSE
BILE for this attempt to "work" the farmers
in the interest Of his candidacy. The fac
remains however that such work is COINS
on and il the bill is suffering, the injury il
from the hands of some of its professe(
friends.
Hi Rird Eluftars md SnuaxyE