Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-06-13
THE CONVERSATIONAL CANvAssi
(From the Northfleld NeWaO

In a report of that meeting held at
Bratteboro at which the name Col.
f.. w. Gibson was endorsed as the"
progressive candidate for Congress
from the Second District, the Brattle-
boro Phoenix says,
| THE general trend of the remarks after
Judge Gibson WIS nominated was that he
had slight chance Of being elected to Con-
gress this year. but that a determined
fight would show that the progressives
could poll a fair vote IL each man would
do his work..
The Bellows Fails Times from Mr.. Glib
sons own county. comes out for Plum
ley" and says:
This paper is for Plumley. 1t believes
that he should be renomnated and re-
elected to Congress. During the three
| and more years he has represented tho
second district he has not expended his
I energy In making a loud noise. but the
record shows that he has been doing
good, effective work and worthily repre-
sentng his district. No man, however
able and well qualified for the duties Of
office. can break into Congress and stand
at the head of the class in few months.
There Is certain amount OF schooling
that the wise congressman willingly sub
mts to before essaying the leadership or
even an important part in the delibera-
tons of that great body. Plumley has
had his schooling and stands we'll with
his constituents and fellow members. To
retire him to Mortified now would be
/ unwise indeed"
| The Union Journal OF Lyndon in com
menting upon the situation takes occasion
to say:
And now there Is Windham county
progressive republican league endors-
ing e. W. Gibson of Brattleboro as a
candidate for Congress from the second
district. 1t is reported that about 90 men
were present at the first meeting Of this
} new league. Must be there are more
progressive men in Windham county.
There are now two progressive candidates
for Congress in the second district but
we fail to see wherein either has as yet
made a record for progress that would IN
} dictate they are in any way as we'll quail
|, fled for the position was Congressman
Plumley when first elected and now the
experience Of two terms of useful and
earnest services should make him a much
stronger representative during the com.
ing term"
available progressives for congress
sional honor are popping up as thick as
daisies in June meadow. Judge Thomp
son has just SHE'D his hat into the ring
Now Judge Gibson of Brattleboro begin.
to cast longing glances at Congressman
Plumley's shoes. The Burlington Ere,
Press intimates that some time St Johns
bury hay have a candidate In Editor
I3ige6w of the Caledonlan. And so +
goes. After the skirmishes. the real pro
gressives will renominate Congress- MAJ
Plumley. who is something of a progress
sive himself" says the St. Johnsbury Re
publican.
The truth is that many Of the rea
progressives do not seek to capitalize
the movement for their own political ad
vancement. and look with decided resent
ment upon the attempt Of Messrs Thomp
son and Gibson to make pawns out o
them, which they can move to their owl
liking. They feel that in choosing Glib
son and Thompson as delegates 10 Chi
cago they honored them sufficiently The,
:, find nothing in the record of things &C
complished by either Mr. Gibson or Mr.
:. Thompson which warrants a belief tina
they are entitled to be sent to Congress
or that assures the voters that they coul,
or would equal or excel Mr. Plumey'
record Real progressives who analyz
Congressman Plumley's work find that h
has already supported the progressiv
measures for which they stand. To b
= honest and consistent such men can d
but the one thing which they are doing
u namely. support Congressman Plumley.
The genuine progressiveness of Con
gressman Plumley Is not by any means
matter Of promise only. We base GU
Judgment as to what may be expecte
Of him for his State and his constituents
On what he has already accomplished.
Except for an ambition to go to Con
gress. laudable in itself what substantial
reasons can Messrs. Thompson or Gibso
give why they should be honored
What has either of them ever done 70
Vermont or its people?