Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1908-04-20
THE CONGRESSIONAL SITUATION.


The candidacy of Hon. Frank Plum
ley of Mortified to succeed Col.
Kittredge Haskins of Bra ttleboro as
representative in congress from the
second Vermont district is officially
we had almost said officiously-an-
nounced this week in the Mortified
News. Summarized, the News argu-
ments are as follows: That in 1900
when Col. Haskins was first nominated
Mr.. Plumley generously withdrew in
his favor after ''protracted night s
struggle; that two years ago Mr..
Plumley declined to enter the contest,
it being generally understood" that
Col. Haskins was to be renominated
for his last term; that at the compile
ton of his present term Mr.. Haskins
will have served longer than most rep
resentatives sent from Vermont and
that his service has been of no more
than average character; that Mr..
Plumley is we'll fitted to succeed Mr..
Haskins, and that if elected the North
! field mans services will be of superior
character.
No friend of Col. Haskins will say
that Mr.. Plumiey is not an honorable
and upright man. but by what warrant
is it said that there was a
general understanding that the
former would not again be candidate?
Col. Haskins received the nomination
two years ago-as we believe he will
again in June-because the voters
deemed it for the best interests of the
district to return Thin to congress.
His nomination was not consolation
prize nor were there any strings at
tached to it, so the argument against
returning him because Of general
understanding" is entirely beside the
mark.
Within the past quarter of century
no representative from Vermont has
served less than eight years, and only
one, Senator Stewart, has served 81
short time. He declined furthe
reelection. General Grout was in tn,
house Is years, Judge Powers 10 year
and congressman Haskins and Foste
will have served eight years at tn
close of their present terms, so prece
dent favors Haskins's reelection.
During Col. Haskins's seven years i
congress he has risen to position O
greater influence than most represer
tatives from Vermont have reache
in the last generation in fact, he OF
> cupies more important committe
T position than General Grout did afte
IL Is years of service. Vermont has wo
IL it's influence in congress by keeping it
L representatives and senators there,
following the well proven rule thu
II length of service is what brings RI
suits. Senator Dillingham; has been
Washington just as long as Col. Ha
h kins but no one would think of displa
~ ing him on the ground that he ha
20 been there '1ong enough, or becaus
is some one else wanted the place.
iy Congressman Haskins's service h;
he been far more than average. Fe
ng Of the men who have been in the hou
ny as long as he has occupy positions
US important as that which he holds, al
ny if Mr.. Plumley has all the ability h
re. supporters claim for him there is
reason to suppose that he could gi,
Vermont the standing she now has u
til he had been there at least eigl
years. AS public man before goil
to congress the record of Col. Haski
~ was not second to that now held
b. Mr.. Plumley. There is nothing in t
he record of either to warrant the asse
1g ton that Mr.. Plumley could give We
IT, ~ mont service superior" to that M
10 Haskins now gives. On the contra
e. it is doubtful If he could ever reach t
r.. position of Importance our present re
g resentatiye holds. If the Office is
be passed around as plum to the q