The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1911-12-23
AS to Party Promise

The Republican platform adopted
in state convention at Montpelier on
June Both, 1910, is an interesting doc
ument for perusal in the light OF ev-
ents Transporting subsequent to the
date of its adoption. There are not
many Legislators who will recognize
it, or see in it many planks on which
they stood. They proceeded to get
off from it as soon after the conven-
ton as convenience permitted and,
seemingly only recognized in it some
thing which they were at liberty to
repudiate. This may be too broad a
statement but it is not intended to
include any who earnestly and hon
estly attempted to carry out the par
ty pledges.
1t is time to put a stop to glitter
ing generalities in platform pro-
nouncements The Republican party
must get down to brass tacks," as
the street has it, What it promises
that it must perform. We should not
promise that which we cannot reason
ably expect to perform.
Suppose we look at the platform
itself. After the preamble and APP
propriate allusion to progressive re-
pubIcanism, the tariff, and Canadian
reciprocity, we find the following:
"While the organic law Of the state
should not be lightly varied, but
above all statutes should be stable
and certain, We are convinced that
the time has come when hands
should be reverently laid upon the
constitution OF Vermont and certain
changes made in its provisions, that
they may more clearly define our
political liberties and the obligations
they entail to the general assembly
of 1910 the report OF the commission
created by authority of the general
assembly of 1908 to propose amend
ments to the constitution of Vermont
/ and endorse and approve its several
recommendations for amendments.
| We cannot too earnestly urge upon
! the people of this state and their re-
/ representatives. in the legislature our
unqualified belief that the amend
ment of the constitution in these par
ticulars is the most grave and res
I UUuNAUAt uuAA that 10 iAhAAe ~ AVAA7
front the lawmakers at the coming
session and one that is on no account
to be put aside"
Now, while this is more of a recon-
mendation of course of action than
a pledge of party fealty to the per
Torrance of certain things, since ii
is in the platform, If Il is worth any.
thing, or means anything, It means
] that the Republican party was bound
to see that the recommendations OF
I the commission referred to were car
red out in toto. This was not done
We set this down as breach of faith
with the people, number one
Now about Primary elections
I'VE believe that the legislature
should enact such a law as shall sur
round the political party caucuses
with the same safeguards as now pro
tect the election at the polls. And
we further recommend such legisla
ton as shall compel candidates fol
party nominations and political Off
ces to make public an itemlzed ac
count of their campaign expenses anC
such other notifications of the ex
listing statue regarding corrupt prac
tees in political campaigns and cleo
tons as shall tend more certainly {,
secure the free choice of the peopl,
as servants in the government an,
make the manner and method OF tina
choice clear of any features repug
nant to the enlightened sense Of
democratic people"
Breach of faith, number twol In
excusable and uniustihable, especI
ally as regards the matter of the pub
lication of itemized accounts of cam
paign expenses. While II is true tina
what the platform has to say abou
a primary election law, publication
OF campaign expenses, and corrup
practices act Is In the nature Of
recommendation yet after all tina
was said concerning these matter
before the convention, at The convep
!, ton and by everybody during he pre-
convention campaign, II IS Aard L
' understand how the Senate of 1911
was so willln 10 kin the bill whlcI
4uFptaH