The Brattleboro reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1907-1912, 1908-04-03
HAsKINs VS.. PLUMLEY.


The candidacy Of Hon. Frank Plum
lev of Mortified TO succeed Col Kit
tredge Haskins of Bratileboro as rep
resentatiye in congress from the second
Vermont district is oflieislly-we had
almost said fliciously-announeed this
week in the Mortified News. Summar'
lied, the News arguments are as fol
lows: That in 1900 when Colonel Has
kins was first nominated Mr.. Plumley
generously withdrew in his favor after
a "protracted night 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 completion of his present term
Mr. Haskins will have served longer
than most representatives sent from
Vermont and that his service has been
of no more than average character;
that Mr.. Plumley is well fitted to sue
coed Mr.. Haskins, and that if elected
the Mortified man IS services will be
of superior character.
No friend of Col. Haskins will say
that Mr.. Plumley is not an honorable
and upright man, but by what warrant
is it said that there was general
understanding that the former would
not again be a candidate? Col. Has
kins received the nomination two
wears ago-as we believe he will again
next June-because the voters deemed
it for the best interests of the district
to return him to congress. His nomina-
ton was not a consolation prize nor
were there any strings attached 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 so
short a time. He declined further
reelection. General Grout was in the
house IS years, Judge Powers 10 years
and Congressman Haskins and Foster
will have served eight years at the close
of their present terms, SO precedent Ia:
yors Haskins 8 reelection
During COL Haskins s seven years in
congress he has risen to a position OF
greater influence than most representa-
tiyes from Vermont have reached in
the last generation; in fact, he oceu'
pies more important committee posi-
ton that General Grout did after IL
wears of service. Vermont has won its
influence in congress by keeping its
representatives and senators there, by
following the well proven rule that
length Of service is what brings results
Senator Dillingham; has been in Wash
ington Just as long as Col Haskins but
no one would think Of displacing him
on the ground that he had been there
'long enough" or because some one
else wanted the place.
CONGRESSMAN Haskins's service has
been far more than "average. Few
of the men who have been in the house
as long as he has occupy positions as
important as that which he holds, and
if Mr.. Plumley has all the ability his
supporters claim for him there is no
reason to suppose that he could give
Vermont the standing she now has I'M
til he had been there at least eight
years. AS a public man before going
to congress the record of Col. Haskins
was not second to that now held by Mr..
Plumley. There is nothing in the rec
ord of either to warrant the assertion
that Mr.. Plumley could give Vermont
service "superior" to that Mr.. Has
kins now gives. On the contrary it is
doubtful if he could ever reach the po-
sition of Importance our present repre-
sentative holds If the Office is to be
passed, around as plum to deserving
men Of the district then let us change
our representative every two years; if
it is desirable to secure for the state
the most efficient service possible let us
return Col Haskins