Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1904-09-02
Fits or Moran-Which?

1t is a serious question that con-
fronts Brattleboro voters, this choice
of a representative next Tuesday, and
there are a few phases of it from our
point of view that deserve more than
the passing thought of the good cit
izen.
We assume that every man is NOR
ally and legally bound TO vote for
whomsoever he considers the fittest
candidate. The freeman who votes
contrary to his own wishes or con-
vctions, for any reason, is doing a
wrong to himself and to the public.
What are the considerations which
should affect a voters convictions in
this election?
Mr. Fits is republican. In YER
mont this term has little meaning.
The house is not divided on partisan
lines and there is no danger TO the
party in the defeat of Fits. The bal
lot for representative is entirely dis
tinct and separate from the state and !
county ballot, and the vote will have |
no effect upon the state majority or
upon the national election either di-
rectly or indirectly. The republicans
who nominated Fits knew that he
could not unite his own party; is it
fair to put him up at this time and
then demand the full party vote for
him because he is a republican?
Mr.. Fits is a prohibtionist-we
will not contend that the benefit of ,
he ie I
the reason for his belief, but grant
that he is convinced that prohibition
is the right and effective way of deal
ing with the liquor question, and that
having been states attorney under ;,
the old law he knows whether it was
effective or not. But believing in
prohibition he declares his purpose to
vote to keep the local option law for
at least two years more Why?
Because he was beaten on this issue
two years ago, and knows he cannot
hope for the office otherwise. He also
knows that his oath as a legislator, if
elected, will bind him not to vote for -,
any bill vote or resolution which J.,
shall appear to you (him) injurious >.
TO the people," If he is an honest be- y,
lever in prohibition how can he keep :,
this oath and vote for a continuance
of local option? If the republicans -,
wanted a prohibitionist why was not
E. c. Crosby chosen? He is prohi-
bitionist from principle, who will not
take out a license in his hotel which
would earn for him several thousand Or
dollars year. The only course open nis
to those who believe in the present I'M
law is to vote for Mr.. Moran. Every t ue
one knows where he stands. He is Tn
FOR local option because he believes on
n it's principles. ma
NJ r,,44 Gle
Mr.. Fits is lawyer and a clever fin
me. But how much hope is there for it
he laboring man and the farmer in a lea
legislature of lawyers? What will are
lr Fits be likely to do when the low
uestion of weekly payments comes jud
p? Is it not wiser to entrust labor 100
lterests to one who has been a wage ''i'
arner and who is known to favor the Eve
ause of the laboring man? T
Mr.. Fits will work for the Connect zied
ut river dam. So will anybody else. IN
r. Fits was not chosen by the peo- viii
e of Brattleboro to be chief promo StaI
r of this important project, and he INST
,s NO rigb+ 70 o.,,,,,,o - -, out
o'""'iie 'ii'' positIoil ton
Id make it the basis of a further the
aim to office. We venture to saw gett
at, not in the least denying the ana
due of Mr.. Fitts's services, the dam 9nar
terprise is too big and too impor- the
mt to be made or married by Mr.. and
ire or anv o+bar o,,a NO., r,.+ name
:, % "iis o,ie! oiie HILL fltts The
II go to Montpelier anyway. it is the
id, to get action in this matter. Let sons
have Moran there too. He can OF L
d will push it along. I,ia1,
Mr. Moran's well known local rec MILL
shows that his capacity for doing III u
iss coNers Wlaef range than Mr.. Deni
Ltss, although the opportunities of meth
latter have been frequent. IN L
SIr. Morans reputation is above ten /
roach. We do not care to publish stallr
scandals which are being circu- froul
ed about Mr.. Fits and his career r
s'ate attorney out we regret that Peopl
n statements can be made public may
ABOUT a candidate for public office "a IA
no one be called to account. Mr.. - 81
is says the stories are false, but ~
tellers continue to talk unpun- as 81
ed. We believe a candidate for Name
lie office should be, like Caesars vice,
e, above suspicion. b Lo.VV =,
wo men have been in the past
ted from the democratic party to Dan
house from Brattleboro. Oscar unmal
shall and DR.. James Conland. Milne.
ryone knows the record of the barre,
er and older men will remember large
the former was a leader on the One
of the house. There is there iDack
no danger of losing prestige in h ,Sg -
house by sending democrat of hours.
Moran's stamp native
lie indications are that Mr.. Moran sued
be elected. Party lines viii not
losely drawn in this local matter.
LaWrei
e matter published in a four kidney