The Brattleboro reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1907-1912, 1908-08-28
REPUBLICANS DUTY.

The steadilyincncasing support which
has come TO the town representative can
didacy OF NJ. j. Moran during the past
week is an encouraging sign TO those who
place honesty and cleanliness in govern
ment above loyalty TO a party label. This
support is indicative OF the attitude OF
Brattleboro people toward what they
consider corrupt and demoralizing meth.
ods-methods which we believe will re-
ceive at the polls next Tuesday the sum.
mary rebuke which they justly deserve.
We sincerely believe that nothing would
accomplish more toward eliminating these
methods from our local political contests
of the future than the election OF VI. j.
Moran and the defeat OF II. G.. Barber.
The latter received his nomination in
caucus which even his most ardent sup
porters admit was very close to the Dor.
derland beyond which dishonor lies, al
though they apologize by saying that the
tactics adopted ''were no worse than have
been used before" His campaign since
the caucus has been conducted along SINH
lar lines, and his election could be inter
preted in no other way than as vindi-
cation of these methods, admittedly so
reprehensible.
Mr.. Morans campaign, on the other
hand, has been conducted absolutely in
the open from the outset and not one OF
his arguments has been fairly met and
answered Barber workers, in their eff
forts to cloud the main issues, have at.
tempted to create prejudice against the
Moran billboard advertising but they have
been unable to deny single statement
which has been made on these boards.
Characterizing as "outside the realm OF
honorable politics" plain, Straightforward !
statements which are set out in the broad |
light of day comes with pretty poor grace
from people who have countenanced such |
tactics as those which have been going on
in Brattleboro for the past several weeks.
Mr.. Moran puts forth the sound argu-
ment that no person is bound to abide by
the outcome Of a caucus at which were al
lowed practices so questionable that they
would be illegal in state election. To
this the Barber supporters make answer
by shouting "bolters," and claiming that
every participant in the caucus is in honor
bound to support the nominee regardless
of personal preference or the dictates OF
conscience. How foolish is such a claim
as this Are the people of Brattleboro a
lot of dummies whose votes can be traded
back and forth by few candidates for
public office or whose belief that Honesty
is the best policy" can be squelched by the
crack of the party whip? Mr.. Barber
himself knows better than this; he knew '
better than this in the campaign of two
years ago as the democrats and fusionists I
Of that time are well aware Didn't Mr.. e
Barber himself "bolt" two years ago?
The question which Brattleboro must 9
decide for itself next Tuesday is not n
whether a republican or democrat shall a
'epresent this town in the legislature. 1t II
8 whether our belief in honesty and clean
mess as indispensable requirements for u
POLITICAL recognition is stronger than our
willingness to "put off until tomorrow
What demands attention today" Every
epublican in Brattleboro should do his
hare toward rolling up good majority Ell
Or his party by voting for Prouty and II
Iead he should do his share toward roll ~ ~,
,g up good majority for good govern al
lent and the purity of the ballot by vot- Of
lg for M. j. Moran. g