St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1908-04-15
Political Press Comment.
Haskins vs.. Plumley.

AAhS We
The candidacy of Hon. Frank Plumley
of Mortified to succeed Col Kittredgt
Haskins OF Brattleboro as representative
IN congress from the second Vermont
district is otfcally-we had almost said
othciously-announced this week in the
Mortified News. Summarized, the
News arguments are as follows That
in 1900 " hen Col mel Haskns was first
nominated Mr.. Plumley generously with
drew IN his favor after a "protracted
nights struggle" that two years ago
Mr.. Plumley declined to enter the CON
test, it being generally understood"
| that Col. HaSkins was to be renominat-
ed for his last term that at the COM
| pletion 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.. Plumlev is
well fitted to succeed Mr. Haskins, and
that If elected the Northfeld mans SER
vices 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 a general under
standing that the former would not
again be a candidate? Col. Haskins
received the nomination two years ago
as we believe he will again next June
because the voters deemed it for the best
interest of the district to return him to
congress. His nomination was not a
consolation prize nor were there any
strings attached to it, so the argument
against returning him because OF gen
era understanding" is entirely beside the
mark.
Within the past quarter of a century
no representative from Vermont has
served less than eight years, and onls
one, Senator Stewart, has served so
short a time. He declined a further re-
election. 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
tavors Haskins reelection.
During Col. Haskins' seven years in
Congress he has risen to a position of
greater influence than most representa-
tives from Vermont have reached in the
last generation; in fact, he occupies a
more important committee position than
General Grout did after rs years of SER
vice. 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 Washington 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 be-
cause some one else wanted the place.
Congressman Haskinss 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 i'm
portant as that which he holds, and
ii 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 until
he had been there at least eight years
As public man before going to Con
gress the record of Col Haskins was NOT
second to that now held by Mr.. Plumley.
There is nothing in the record of either /
to warrant the assertion that Mr.. |
Plumley could give Vermont service
superior to that Mr. Haskins now
gives. On the contrary it is doubtful if
he could ever reach the position of i'm.
portance our present representative
holds. If the office is to be passed a.
round as plum to deserving men of the
district then let us change our represent
ative every two years; if it is desirable to
secure tor the state the most efficient SER
vice possible let us return Col. Haskins.-
LBrattleboro Reformer.
The Logical Outcome In the Senatorial
Contest.
The logical outcome of the political
situation as it is today should be the
election of ex-Gov. Carroll s. Page to the
Senate to serve the unexpired term of
the late Senator Redheld Proctor and
the reelection OF Congressman Foster to
the House of Representatives. In such a
OF the problem many friends of
Page may realize some ap-
propr1ate recognition of his original ap-
pointment of Senator Proctor eighteen
years ago. while the state at large
might feel assured Of the service of man
)t undoubted successful business exper-
ence and capacity. Congressman Eos
-er. on the other hand would probably
De returned to Congress without Oh
position in his own party and, ofcourse,
without serious opposition from out ,
ide. And that would mean thata man
If his ability and activities would CON /
niue to gain gratifying prominence in i
public service. This would he a hand
ome recognition Of the merits of both :
men and keep the party we'll in line for E
he many demands upon the harmonious c
cooperation of all its elements in this )
ear OF presidential and state cam c
algn.- St. Adams Messenger