The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1910-08-25
country, but at the same time as pow
erful as the oldest, said Dr. Mead.

spread a knowledge of what the Re-
stands for and what the other party
represents. Speech making and or
ganization will effect this end. Or
ganization in every town and city in
the State the speaker regarded as the
best and most effective means of edu-
eating the citizens. The Importance
to every town of large Republican
majority Is manifest 1t keeps up the
representation in the State conven-
ton; it encourages the State and ma
tional leaders. President Taft has
written to the State committee say
ing that he looks to Vermont for an
endorsement The enemy rejoices
over a fall in the majority. A large
majority in an off year will be an in
centive to renewed effort on the part
of the Republican leaders the country
over.
DR.. Mead then took up the platform
of the party, and touched upon each
plank briefly. The tariff he left to
Congressman Plumley to discuss. Con-
stitutional amendments he favored, he
hoped for that the party would keep
the promises made to the labor men,
he favored the use of revenues rather
than a bond issue for the upbuilding
of our State highways. conservation
he regard ed as of first Importance.
AS regards the liquor question, Dr..
Mead stated that since 1868, on his re-
turn from the war, no liquor in any
form had passed his lips. He said
that he saw the evils of intemperance
during his service in the army, where
1t was almost universal, and he had
personally renowned it. He said
that he had made no stand of tenn
perance and had taken part in no
movement looking to that end. He
had taken action in personal way
which resulted in the closing of three
saloons in Rutland He regarded it
as being up to the members of the
Legislature to pass the requisite
liquor laws and he said he would sign
any that were presented to him. He
regarded the executive and legislative
departments of government as very
properly separated, each with its spec
ial functions, and he was willing to
perform his part if the Legislature
carried out theirs. Hearty applause
was accorded DR.. Mead at the close
of his remarks.
Address of l.. z. Slack.
Leighton P. Slack was the next
speaker. He dealt with progressive
legislation. The public schools, said
the speaker, should be for the great
est good of the greatest number. YER
mont has educated some big men in
her schools in the past and they
should be kept up to that standard
in the future. Manual training and
domestic science were approved of
by Mr.. Slack, who regarded bread
winner with bread maker as a pref
ty good combination. The great ma
jority of the pupils in our schools
will labor in the lower walks of
life and to them the public school
education is all important.
Better highways mean more visi-
tors from other States and the attrac-
ton here of outside capital for the
development of our resources. New
Hampshire, with no greater advanta-
ges, is making money out of her seem
cry, while we have been idle. The
speaker favored exemption from trus-
tee process of a certain amount of the
laboring mans wages, in order to give
him the same protection that the
present law gives the farmer. He was
not certain that it would work out
best, but it could hurt no one to eX
pertinent. If we cannot have honest
weights and measures in the State
without legislation, Mr.. Slack favored
legislation along this line.
The speaker said that Vermont is
the political barometer of the coun-
try and it behooves us to be up and
doing, get our friends and neighbors
to the polls on September s, and
show what Vermont thinks of the Re-
publican record of the past two years.
Address of Mr.. Plumley.
Congressman Frank Plumley said
that the well known loyalty of Wash
ington county rests on an intelligent
appreciation of the issues at stake.
The last session of the present Con-
gress has been said to have passed
more good laws than any other entire
Congress since the War. If Vermont
rolls up big Republican majority
it shows we approve of this work and
it will mean much to people in other
States. These laws have been along
the lines of the so-called Roosevelt
policies and the election in this State
will be the first indication as to how
they have passed the scrutiny of an
intelligent constituency. The speaker
recalled a past campaign when YER
mont returned a majority of 10000
for Harrison and the effect the an