The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1910-10-12
FERGUSON MAKES REPLY
Ant-Saloon Superintendent Explains
Flyer Opposing Speaker Howe


TO the Editor Of the Messenger
Your article quoting our publica-
tion of Speaker Frank E. Howe's re-
cord on the saloon and Sabbath ques-
lions which reappeared in the two
Burlington papers Saturday is as
such articles often are of course in
advertantly, so misleading that | will
take few moments to advise your
readers II | may. through the indul-
gence of your columns as to the ex-
act facts. In advance let me thank
you for the privilege.
In these days when a busy public
so often read newspaper articles "by
title only" newspaper headings are in
the nature of editorials and some care
should be taken that they do not mis-
represent the article which they head
We raise no objection at all to your
republishing our write-up OF Editor
Howe. You thereby publish this rec
ord far beyond what we had done,
but no doubt he is proud Of 1t and
therefore willing and so is the writer.
We sent TO list Of legislators
whom we had reason to believe
would be interested in knowing, the
statement YOU quote as to Editor
! Howe's attitude or record on the sub
ject which concerns this institution"
and there was at no time on our part
any attempt at secrecy about Il. You
lcould have had all you wanted OF the
filters" had you inquired at our office
or of the writer anywhere. You call
the statement of facts a vicious at
tack on Mr.. Howe. OF course IL was
nothing of the kind, and you know II
now, and did when you framed up
lyour article. Il was merely a state
ment Of Mr.. Howe's position touching
our question. II untrue in the slight.
est particular the writer will gladly
correct. Let Mr. Howe come for
ward and deny one fact or part OF a
fact which We stated and then you
may justly complain. Can't Mr.
Howe and his friends stand a publ
cation OF his record on the saloon
question?
The trouble with the Messenger Is
that II wants to find some point OF
attack upon the league. but 1t will
have to look further for anything
which sticks. What less did the
Messenger do for Doctor Mead? What
less has the Messenger done In 8
thousand instances regarding candid
ates for public offices? What less
does any newspaper do at every is
sue? Indeed the writer mistrusts
that the Messenger takes a much less
praiseworthy privilege and would find
Itself In difficulty at once as would
the Free Press and as would the Ben
nington Banner and perhaps Other
state papers II called upon to prov,
things they said about Governor
Mead during his campaign for the no
mination. We stand ready to prov,
every fact We have stated concerning
Speaker Howe, How do you max,
"a vicious attack" out OF that?
VIII the Messenger contend that 4
is even wrong. let alone vicious.
when man seeks the support O.
men as candidate for public ofIic,
TO publish his record on n question II
volved In the duties OF the office hi
seeks? That Is all there was 10 thai
vicious attack ~ which you speak
We have no idea that Mr. Howe wants
to deny the facts we stated. Aftel
stating the facts and we challenge Mi
Howe or any OF his friends to sue
cessfully deny them. we simply ash
our readers to consider whether OF
not Mr.. Howe entertaining such no
lions would be likely TO appoint {
real temperance committee.
Now. dear Messenger there was n,
secrecy about Il. You got the RICH
"nier' no one was hiding them. the,
were not rs Scarce as hens teeth
as YOU say. We will stand by n nj
and the writer would liketo add "tha
institution as you call Il. otherwls,
known as the Vermont Anti-Saloor
League, will continue 10 give ment
records when we. think their attltud,
Is wrong on the saloon question ant
they are seeking public office In N,
exercise OF the duties Of which the,
may harm the cause OF temperance
/ Nou can tell everybody that we ar,
in politics" to that extent ever,
: time unless we fail to do our duty. In
deed, In this we are emulating OF
tho saloon question the Messenger
example on most other questions. W,
Will always be found opposing TO IN,
best OF our ability the election o.
b men to office who according To onl
belief are unsafe men touching m,
saloon question and II you win ALLOW
4. the suggestion We might add that ",