Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1906-05-04
NO. 18

cations in the abstract, / beg to add
word touching the present incum-
bent. have known Col Haskins
from my boyhood. We were born and
raised in contiguous townships in Wind
ham county and for years practiced law
together at its bar. 1 have also intimate-
ly known, with one single exception, every
representative from Vermont during the
past 40 years; and while Col. HaslSins
may not possess in equal measure quail
ties which have characterized some Of
mis- predecessors, 1 assert It as my un-
qualified belief that he possesses more
good qualities that go to make up an
efficient congressman than any one Of
them. He Is now at the zenith of his
intellectual power and physical vigor. He
mas never been called upon to perform any
important public duty, be It to his coun-
try, his party or his state, which he has
not performed willingly, efficiently and
ably; yet he is now better equipped for
effective work than ne ever has been in
the past. To his natural aptitude for
congressional work should now be added
his ripe experience arising from his three
term service, not to speak Of his previous
membership in both branches Of the state
legislature. The value of that hard
earned experience should not now be
thrown away. To me it would seem
wasteful and inexcusable to do So
Vermont has never become influential
in the national councils through mex
perienced men, and never will become so.
On the contrary her prestige and COM
manding influence have been maintained,
and maintained only by continuing in
office those who had become potent by
reason Of their long, uninterrupted SER
vice.
Col Haskins is popular not only with
his colleagues on the floor, but at the
White House, with members OF the cabi-
net and the various department and
bureau officers. They all like him and
win go out Of their way to serve him, /. e.,
his constituents. He Is a good lawyer,
a ready debater, is industrious and PAINS
taking, and discharges with scrupulous
fidelity and promptitude every official
duty laid upon him, and zealously serves
his constituents whenever and wherever
! opportunity may be disclosed for doing
So These qualities, not to speak OF others
equally prominent, nave won for him in
| the House such confidence in his sound
and enlightened judgment as to draw TO
/ him an unquestioning support and follow
ing for any measure he may personally
vouch for and urge upon the consideration
OF the House. Therefore, when appoint
ing him TO three important standing COM
mittees, Speaker Cannon knew precisely
what he was about.
His constituents, as well as the people
of the state at large. realize full well
that his success in doing things" has
been conspicuous and unusual That, II
his seat be retained this success VIII be
nobody has the remotest doubt. The peo-
pie hardly need to be reminded Of many
important measures which he has framed
OF successfully guided to enactment on the
floor, such as the oIeomargarine bill. the
the live stock quarantine BILL the war
claims bills. the invalid and dependent
pension bills dnfnite in number; the
public buildings appropriation bills. the
extension OF the rural free delivery SER
vice. and manifold other measures special
ly affecting Vermont interests, notably
his report from the War Claims commit
tee on the bill for the adjustment and
final settlement Of the long pending claims
between the government and the state OF
Vermont, growing out of the civil war ana
the subsequent arming of the states
militia for defense, and his successful
management of that bill when 1t came
before the House for It's action.
1t will be time enough to examine the
comparative merits of his opponent when
ever those who are supporting his candi-
dacy shall specify the special qualities that
fit him for the place. Something is demand
ed of him beyond the fact that he may
have administered creditably an entirely
different office, whose duties may be, ana
often are performed by one wholly desti-
tute Of the peculiar qualities essential
for efficient work In Congress.
No person should ever be selected for
high public trust like this on the score
Of his wealth, local popularity. Service
to the party" or asserted claim that "his
turn has now come" All such claims are
spurious and should count for nothing.
Two considerations and only two should
govern, namely, character and fitness for
the place, and 1 cannot bring myself to
believe that, after sober elaboration, these
qualities, Of which Colonel Haskins Is
so pre-eminently endowed beyond his
opponent will go unrecognized and un-
rewarded at the forthcoming convention
JOHN H. FLAGG.
New York, April 80, 1906.