Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-02-13
973,55l.l3

have cause to be ashamed Of
As to our legislature, as good authority
as Theodore Roosevelt, In an article pub
lished in the Forum short time since.
puts the Vermont Legislature at the head
of the Union in its FIRE edom from corrupt
ton and one of the more than average
ability.
Fifth. "Hcw many instances can it
recall of cheap and urwt rthy men being
simply land Sided Into office because the
party fiat went forth and the whole weight
of an overwhelming majority voting in
blind obedience to the party lash could
turn any nomination into an election?
Has the Messenger the effrontery TO
stand up and say that the methods OF the
republican party in Vermont are a 1.-THE
as bad as in the closely contested states or
New Hampshire, New York or InIlana?
If so. please inform the Standard wherein,
il. the history of the party in the past
forty years we have approached in any
degree the rule of the party boss as exhib-
tied in these states.
Sixth. Let the Standard point to a
Republican state platform in the past
thirty years that has taken stand on
pressing issues
We point with pride to the Republican
state platforms, which have consider ii
intoligently the different questions which
have been of interest to the people ut the
time in which the platforms We're framed.
II there are any pressing" issues that
have bean evaded or ignored let the Mes
senger specify what they are and the Stan
dard will give them further conSidera-
ton.
seventh What did the Republican
senate do in 1!H0 when it was asked to
give the people Of the state an opportuni E
ty to express their will concerning certain
constitutional amendments?'
1t did just what Governor Odell and the
Republican senate in New York are dom 2
relative to submitting the questions of
Sunday opening of saloons in New York
City on 4 local option basis.
They acted their best judgment. AL
though the Standard ON several If the
proposed amendments differed with the
senate. it did not conclude that that body
was standing out against the whole COM
nionwealth but that it was a mere Incl
dent in state Legislation and cast no reNec-
ton on the intelligence ard integrity Of
the Legislative body passing upon the uues-
tiOn.
As to the artificial equilibrium In Yer
mont politics which the Messenger as
sorts will not be artificial when IL .loas
core, why would it OF be good idea
for the Messenger to organize a reform
party? Why net have the courage of it's
convictions? II the republican party of
Vermont has seen its best days and can no
longer be If service to the best interest
OF the state, why not let the Messenger
lead off, call convention of those desir-
ing to establish reform administration
and get in position TO nominate a governor
and get other State officials next June?
ADVICE TO RAILROAD PROMOTERS.
(From the Bennington Banner)
Those who take cousel OF their hop $
rather than of their reason have been
talking of the Rutland railroads assist
ance in building the proposed line from
Rutland to Montpelier, thence to Hard
wick and Newport. The politicians. quick
to grasp an inference. have allowed the
rumor to go uncontradcted because ii
might help boom a candidate for gov r
nor. Gentlemen, please do not hold your
breath until Vermont railroad parallels
itself, for you might die for want of air.
Better stick to the original idea of "A troll
ley line from the capital to Newport.
None other is ever likely to be built.
handsome Compliments for Congress-
man Haskins Regarding HIS Fight
For Dairy Inter SITS,
vermont Cor. Springfield Republican,
The constituents of Congressman Has
kir,s are to be congratulated upon the abil.
ity with which he has handled the legisla-
ton with which he had to do during the
present session of Congress. lie has ac-
complished much in connection with the
oleomargarine bill during the few weeks
lie has been at Washington. 1t will be re-
mcmbered that Congressman Grout sue
ceeded after years of labor in getting a
bill reported for action by a very narrow
vote in the committee, Cons ressman Has.
kins has succeeded in getting an early and
unanimous report favorable to the pas
sage of the act. He is in part author OF
the present bill and to him belongs largel,
the credit OF the early action of Congress
He doubtless will receive a unanimous re-
denomination by his constituents.
WELL RECEIVED.
CFrom the Poultney Journall
Congressman Kittredge Haskns of the
seocr" ''~t'i"' ~ NormNnt, in n strons
and forcible argument in favor of tho
bill to restrict the sale OF oleomargarine