The Brattleboro reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1907-1912, 1908-05-22
HAsKINs EXPOSE LACKING.
Supporters Lack Facts to
Prove Their Assertions.

The supporters Of the candidacy OF
Congressman kittredge Haskins OF Brat.
tleboro Tor reelection as the representa-.
tive from the I'd congressional district
have waited patiently Tor the expose
which was promised some time ago by
Candidate Frank Plumley's home paper
in Mortified, but up to the present time
il has not appeared, says the local CORE
spondent OF the Springfield Republican.
The Mortified News stated early IN the
campaign that It would undertake to
show wherein Congressman Haskinss ser
vices had not been OF more than average
character, but beyond the mere assertion
that they have not that paper has pre-
sented no proof, no facts, no evidence
tending TO sustain Its contention. On the
other hand it has produced nothing, be.
yond a mere assertion, that would tend
TO show that Mr.. Pmmley's services would
be superior to those OF Col. Hasklns, and
il is noted by Col. lIaskins's friends that
the main stress in the arguments that
have been put forth in behalf OF Mr..
Plumley is laid on the fact that Col. Has
kins. in some OF his public utterances,
criticized some of President Rooseyelts
policies. The supporters OF Congressman
Haskins in this part OF the state feel that
the situation was pretty accurately sized
up by the Rutland Herald, which, being
in another district, could speak IRON an
impartial point of view, when 1t SAID
The Plumley papers are having rather
serious time proving to the convection oil
their readers that Congressman Hasklns,
after eight years of faithful service, should
be retired in favor of Frank Plumley, pro,
hbitionist, pro-Roosevelt advocate and
serene in the odor of sanctity. Ii Is none
OF the Herald's affair, but the reasons Tor
making the change from trained war
horse to heavy-draft Percheron, es..
pecally when crossing the proveroial
stream, do not appear at this distance
even considerable"
So far as Col. Haskins's criticisms of
Roosevelt policies are concerned, they are
regarded by his friends as an evidence
of his personal courage, although the time
for making them was perhaps not wen
chosen. 1t is not true, however, that Col.
Haskins is wholly opposed to the policies
of the administration, as some would nave
it understood. To his acquaintance here
in Bratfleboro Col. Haskins has said some
highly complimentary things about Presl-
dent Roosevelt, his attainments and many
of his policies, and there is not the slight
est doubt in their minds that he has as
high a regard for President Roosevelt as
a man as has any man in the Plumley
camp. His important committee positions
and his work in connection with the oleo-
BILL the livestock quarantine
bill and other important measures are
matters which are too well known to be
effaced by any flippant assertion that his
services have been mediocre. 1t has peen
nsnuated by the Plumley supporters that |
Col. Haskinss appointment to the chair
of the committee on war claims
was result of his favorable attitude to-
ward Speaker Cannon's candidacy, but
that, too. is matter which is passed |
over as idle comment by those who know
The facts. Among people in touch with
these matters it was a matter OF common
,xpectation, even before Col. Haskins ex-
pressed his preference for Speaker Cannon
md before the latter's candidacy was seri-
,usly considered anywhere, that Col. Has
Sins would get the war claims committee
People who have been over the district
nave found marked sentiment In favor
If retaining Col. Haskins in his present
position, in quarters where it was sup
,osed only Plumley sentiment existed. 1t
S felt that there is no real reason tor
.bange and that Col Haskins has now
cached a position, which it would take
new man years to attain, where he can
,est maintain the reputation which Yer
mont has enjoyed in years past OF having
n congress delegation of more than
ordinary strength
One point to Col. Haskins's advantage
5 the fact that he now "has the pole"
mother is that he is the only candidate
rom Windham county for either state or
honors, while in Washing
on county, the home OF Mr.: Plumley,
here are four candidates, one for senator,
ne for the lower branch, one for COVER
or and one for state treasurer. 1t is not
90 much to expect that some Of these
andidates will fall by the wayside, and
s Zed H. Stanton of Roxbury, town
djoining Mr.. Plumley's home town of
Fortified, is generally picked as the win !
er in the gubernatorial campaign, Mr.:
'lumley's canvass will suffer as a natural
Consequence. 1t has been suggested that {
county fill all the offices this {
ear at county convention in the state
ouse at Montpelier.