The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1910-10-11
Not "Too Old"

Howe in connection with the speaker
ship contest by the Vermont Anti
Saloon League, reprinted from The
st. Adams Messenger in another col
umn, could not have cut much OF
figure in that relation. This Is the
first we ever heard Of it, and 1t Ia too
old a story to get excited over
Burlington Free Press.
1t wasn't printed in any moment OF
excitement. esteemed If sarcastic
neighbor. 1t was printed as cumula-
tive evidence tending to show the
bigoted proscriptive policy Of this in
stitution in its attitude toward public
men that do not endorse its organiza-
ton. 1t publishes a blacklist" Of
lawmakers, at one time, and some
such miserably unfair representation
of man as its characterization of
Speaker Howe at another. II was not
too old" for you to reprint, esteemed
contemporary, not too old" to be in
testesing to many OF your readers.
Anyone that did not know Speaker
Howe in his private life would gain
ton of the Anti-Saloon League that
he is a most ardent and active cham
pion of the liquor interests, desecra
( tor e that which is most holy In the
institution of Sunday. and that he IL
unfair and not 10 he trusted In the ap
pointment OF the house committee on
temperance, and this, of course
means that, II he is dishonest In the
makeup of one committee. he is II
able to be dishonest In the makeup
of any of them.
What are the facts? Any one thai
does know Speaker Howe in his pri
vate life knows that he is anything
but champion OF the liquor Interests
or a 'rummy" in personal habit HI
lentertains an opinion in favor Of th'
local option liquor law, as-any homes
man with Independent mind has
constitutional right to do, and he AT
CUES various phases of It from Al
academic viewpoint from time to tim,
In his newspaper. as any honest ed
tor with the courage of his conviC
lions has a right 70 do, whether tn
Anti-Saloon League approves OF It o
not. So far from being man tina
would wantonly overturn the instih
ton of Sunday. Mr. Howe is devon
churchman and representative ma
and 'eader In his parish and, while
has somewhat moderniZed views {
liberal construction about some ant
lent dogmas and institutions OF II
llgion, he is considered orthodo
enough to represent his church at dI
cesar conventions and to sit anon
the chief laymen there. As for hi
honor and integrity. his trustworth
ness in the appointment Of comml
tees. where is the man that know
Frank II. Howe personally that wi
| come forward and deny that 4
| would sacrifice every ambitious hoT
that ever luttered In his breast rat
er than feel In his own conscienC
(no matter whether the world su
pected It or not) that he had leane
against the side OF right and trui
and justice In any decision submitte
to his judgment? He is known amor
his fellows to be scrupulously homes
to the point, sometimes, Of obstinaf
| independence when the question
personal integrity is not involved,
all.
II The Messenger has no critics
whatever TO make OF the propaganC
against the sale and use of liquor 4
beverage purposes that prohibltio
lists maintain. They have right
their opinion and an equal right
endeavor by every fair menas to e
II recognized In law. But men tn
: diner from them as to the best Xii
OF n liquor law have an equal RICH
or else this is not free country. TT
question Is, simply, whether this kir
OF Safeguarding Of public men Is
continue to be the policy OF the An
Saloon League and the press Ike,
quiet about Il, or whether II shall
exposed to the contempt OF the publ
on every occasion. II we are to co
tnue to argue the liquor law profile
In Vermont, (as We ought 10 do I'm @
der TO be able TO draw out and ava
ourselves OF the best thought OF d
state about it) are we to take sid
as fair-minded men only seeking Il
best welfare OF the commonwealth
we see II, or are we publicly TO pr
scribe the abuse and blackgua,
every man that does not agree wi
us the instant he shows his head
politics?
Finally. no story is too old" G
teemed contemporary. TO be denI,
when II Is stu in print and probab
more or less In active clrculatio
and does a mean, cowardly wrong
an honest man and a good friend.
st. Adams Messenger.