Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1906-04-27

-01t 3 % ,he House, and secure its pas
El1e POSSIBLE. = good deal OF oppo-
i-.DD was made by members representing
live sock constituencies, and. not being
able to get 1t up b. unanimous consent.
Col Haskins succeeded in securing the
passage OF the bill under a two-thirds
vote to suspend the rules II was the
only method left. for, by reason of the
great number of bills on the calendar.
there was no prospect Of its beng reach
ed for action. unless II should be taken
up out Of its regular order. As il was.
it passed the House but two days before
Congress finally adjourned. Col Has
kins FASTENED its engrossment. followed
IT over to the Senate, and managed to
get it passed by that body; and IL was
approved by the President a few min
utes before the final adjournment of Con-
gress. II is hardly necessary TO say that
II required a knowledge of parliamentary
law, and the exercise Of a good deal of
tact. as well as strong personal influence.
to bring about the desired result in an
important case like this.
During the present session Col Has
kins has been entrusted with the re-
port upon and disposition OF many meas
ures in the War Claims committee. Most
notable among them was that for the
reimbursement OF the French Transat-
lantic Gable company for damages sus-
tanned in the cutting and destruction of
its telegraphic cable during the Spanish
American war. This bill carried an APP
preparation of over $4,000. and IL was a
measure to which both President McKin-
ley and President Roosevelt had repeat
eddy called the attention of Congress,
earnestly advising that Congress should
authorize the payment Of the claim as a
matter OF good faith and international
comfy toward a friendly nation.
In the matter of special legislation for
the old soldiers of his district for the
increase of pensions, Col. Haskins has
been constantly active. and during each
session of Congress he has received re-
ports upon more than the average num-
Der OF bills allowed by the committee to
each member.
No attempt is made here to cover all
the work done by Col. Haskins. but the
outline shows him TO be a working men,
Der with a recognized capacity for han
ding successfully the larger measures OF
| legislation. In the committee rooms. in
the departments and among his fellow
members, COl. f1dSklnS mas a reputation
for promptness and diligence, and the
exercise of good judgment in regard to
all matters brought before him. He is
| constantly in attendance upon the meet
ings of his committees, and is said to be
usually the first man TO show up ready
/ for work.
The question is pertinent at this time
whether Gov. Bell, had he been in Col
Haskinss place. could possibly have done
the work and exercised the influence
which Col. Haskns has done The re-
auirement is not only for ability. but for
experience and for knowledge how to dc
| things.
1t is a matter OF course that Gov. Bell
will rely to a great extent on the oranges
of the district for support in his canvass
but 1t is to be remembered that Col
Haskins is himself a member of the
grange organization, that he was raised
/ in a farming community, and that he has
| always kept himself in sympathy with
! the farming interests-and We believe II
will be the conviction OF the farmers OF
the Second district that he has not only
the disposition but the experience and
training in public affairs which enable
/ him to render their interests better ser
vice than It would be possible for Gov
Bell 10 perform. He has certainly ac-
eomplished work for these interests dur
ing his service in Congress that Gov
Bell. with the best intentions. could not
possibly have done.