The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1911-01-24
Another PLANK RepudIatsd,

| FNiSN'Si HAdidhCQs
Again the Vermont Senate has mu
tilated the Republican State platform
and as If to emphasize its contempt
for the party to which its members
are supposed to ho.d allegiance II
has killed the bill providing for the
publicity of campaign expenses with
out word of debate.
The Republican platform OF 1915
said. I'VE believe that the Legisla
ture should enact such law as
shall surround the political party
caucuses with the same safe
guards as now protect the elections
at the polls. And we further recon-
mend such legislation as shall com
pei candidates for party Offices 10
make public an itemized account OF
their campaign expenses and such
other notifications of the existing
statute regarding corrupt practices
In political campaigns and elections
as shall tend more certainly to secure
the free choice of the peoples ser.
wants in the government and make
the manner and method OF that
choice clear of any features repugn.
ant to the enlightened sense Of a
democratic people"
In his speech accepting the nomi-
nation for Governor Hon. John A.
Mead said; 'As to the publication
of campaign expenses by candidates,
am in favor of laws to that effect.
that shall apply to all elective Offices
under our constitution
There was no attempt to amend
the bill. 1t was simply pitched out OF
the window to follow the direct in
heritance tax bill. Having accepted
office as Republicans the Senators
may now do as they please. II is
very evident that few OF them expect
again to go before the people as can
didates for pubic office. Therefore
they have the physical power TO defy
the public opinion OF the State, re-
pudiate party pledges and make as
great a shipwreck as possible OF Re
publican chances of success in 1912.
But will 1t pay Senators thus TO run
up the black flag and steer the party
craft upon the rocks? By what rules
of political or personal ethics do Sen
ators thus treat with contempt and
derision the party that has given
them all the political honors they
have enjoyed?
No person will deny that the Sen
ate has aided in passing much good
legislation, or that in their personal
relations the Senators are able and
All a
judged by the record OF the whole
session. 1t would be much pleasant
er to praise than TO blame, but when
the Senate defeats the expressed will
of the people. plants itself squarely
across the highway OF progress, and
defies the highest party authority, the
State Convention. Republican news
paper would be remiss in its duty
and cowardly in its attitude II II did
not denounce such treachery.
The columns OF this newspaper are
open to any Senator who can explain
how q platform can be formulated
more fairly or be given wider publicl-
~ than the Republican platform OF
1910. Newspaper attacks have been
made only after the Senate has re-
fused to listen to arguments and to
keep the party promises. This paper,
In fair and honorable argument has
urged reasons for keeping platform
pledges and other newspapers have
done the same. Criticism has come
only when events compelled II and
for this Senators have only them
selves to blame. Unwilling to trust
the people with their own Constitu'
ton, they have refused to take OF the
time lock, although the platform
called for ratifying all the proposed
amendments. Thus far the Senate
has refused to keep the pledge twice
made to exempt from trustee process
the wages OF laborers to the amount
OF ten dollars, although simple jus
tice demands such action and refusal
to do so Is n political blunder of the
first magnitude. IL requires q faith
that would remove mountains to be
lieve that the Senate In It's present
defiant mood will keep this pledge
Reference has been made already e
the reputation OF the plank provid
ing for the publicity OF campaign ex
ponses, q course OF action demanded
by public sentiment throughout the
State. The inheritance tax was moi
called for by the platform, but Il lis
method OF taxation employed In O
large number OF the States Of the
Union. and with direct tax threaten
ing the State, Il is difficult to see why
che Senate should be more consider
ate OF the estates OF wealthy men
than OF the pocketbooks OF the clt
Gems of small or moderate means.
The situation Ia extremely danger
Gus aud almost Unprecedented. Sena
tors may scon az the newspapers. but
they have got to settle With an out
ragged public sentiment TO which the
newspapers give expression. IL beginr
TO appear that the only course OF &C
ton the Republican State Convention
OF 1919 can pursue with any degree
OF consistency and any hope OF sue
cess Is to dis0wn The acts OF the Sen
ate OF 1910. denounce lts members fol
their faithlessness TO their party and
demand the choice OF men who vii
keep the faith committed TO thelI
trust.-Montpelle Journal.