The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1911-11-17
THE eoVERNoRsHlp

and made a speech. outlining MS
views and reiterating his willingness
to be governor put him fairly in the
field though he again declares that
he Will make no personal canvass.
Mr. De Boer did, however, go further
than he ever has before and an
nounced his willingness to partic-
ipate in pre-conventlon discussion of
state issues. This attitude permits
him to write letters and address pub
lie gatherings which is a considerable
change from the position that he has
heretofore taken.
The Banner yesterday printed Mr.
De Beers speech in full and also by
pure chance The Banner on the same
day reprinted from the Burlington
Free Press an interview with Hon.
Allen NJ. Fletcher of Cavendish who
Is an active candidate for the COVER
norship. A comparison Of the speech
and interview at this time is interest
| ing for both are practically plat
| forms on which they go before the
public, though in considering them
| it should be borne in mind that Mr..
De Beers was prepared address
while Mr.. Fletcher spoke offhand in
| answar IN nuestiOns
In the main, both gentlemen agree
asis to be expected they would, for
both are able men and students OF
Vermont needs and Vermont posi-
bilities.
Both are In favor Of primary cleo
ton law and both favor the publlca-
ton OF campaign expenses. Mr.
Fletcher spoke and voted In favor Of
these propositions in the Legislature
last fall.
Both favor continuation OF the
road building policy of the state and
generous appropriations.
Both favor an organized attempt
to develop Vermont resources and tC
advertise Vermont attractions ant
opportunities.
Both advocate the home invest
ment of more capital and undertak
ing to put agricultural life In thii
| otata m n hattar haaia
Both, as shown by their past rec
ords, as we'll as by present day
views. can be relied on to support th'
cause OF education at all times. Boil
are cognizant OF the dangerous con
dition OF rural isolation aud Mr. d.
Boer declares himself In favor o
some definite attempt to overcome
this evil.
Where the two men split Is on tn
tax issue and If the campaign
fought out on the issues the cand
dates themselves have suggested,
looks TO The Banner as though ia
reform would be the chief basis {
discussion
Mr.. De Beers theory Of tax reforl
. as developed by him during the Sc
sion OF 1908 included a fat rate o
intangibles, complete doing ava
with offsets and a state tax commi
sion with power to enforce uniforl
methods and especially uniform val
alton.
III Mr.. Fletcher's views on the ia
question are hardly so radical, b'
are still marked departure from II
present system. He favors the Ne
Hampshire law which exempts frol
taxation real estate mortgages bea
ing interest at Ave per cent or les
He favors the limitation OF offsets
some extent, but not doing away wit
III them entirely. Az the last session
| the legislature Mr.. Fletcher favore
and was largely responsible for pu
ting through several measures d
signed. a he himself stated, not
much for tax reform, as TO put teei
into the present tax law 30 that
could be enforced and thus show Il
defects that ought TO be remedied.
III On the labor law issue which
not very prominent in Vermont
| yet, but is bound to be In the mel
future, Mr.. De Boer will be found
take a more radical and advance
stand than Mr.. Fletcher.
II Both candidates are progressiN
men. Mr.. De Boer is student an
idealist while Mr.. Fletcher ia kee
witted. hard headed business ma
Both are men OF advanced ideas an
the campaign should progress on
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