Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-07-25
Vermont Supporters Of Third
Term Candidate Effect an Or
ganization Here.
BA1CHELDER BOLTS BOLT
Platform Denounces Renomina,
ton Of President Taft and
Declares for Many Alleged
improvements.

The State convention Of the new third
political party was called to order
In the west parlor Of tho hotel about
ten o'clock and befor, the final ad-
journment at $3.50 the delegates had
elected delegates to the national pro-
gressive convention. nominated presi-
Dental electors, fought out the battle
as to whether they would enter state
politics and had placed State ticket
in the field, adopted platform AMI
organized for the coming campaign.
Burlington comes In on the State tic
ket with II. s. Howard as candidate
for State treasurer. while the candi-
date for governor is the Rev. Fraser
Metzger OF Randolph.
When the call for the convention
was read by Sam Lee Abbott OF Beth
ell. there were about 80 present and
this number was shown by a subse-
quent vote to have been augmented to
ffty-seven. The gathering was com
posed largely Of people not particu-
larry identified with politics in the
past but there were such familiar fig
ures as NJ. J. Hapgood Of Peru. the
Rev. Alonzo Chase Of Richmond AMI
Charles Batchelder Of White River
Junction. Burlington was represented
by H. S. Howard and Louis r. Peter
son. A noted feature OF the assembly
was the conspicuous absence OF sew
eral Vermonters prominent In advance
Ing Roosevelt's fortunes previous to
the national convention. Such ardent
one time boomers as T. c. Cheney and
L P. Thayer were nowhere to be seen
and even Wallace Batchel1er pioneer
among Roosevelt men. failed to appear
in the convention hail. although he
sat in the lobby Of the hotel most OF
the time.
WALLACE BATCHELDER BOLTS.
The facts Of the case seem hbe that
some disagreement had arisen between
the rival chiefs Of the Roosevelt forces.
Mr.. Batchelder and C. H. Thompson Of
Brattleboro. Mr.. Thompson came to the
convention with a message from the
national provisional committee, Of which
he is a member The gist OF this messag &c
was that in order to get the organization
under way and to accomplish anything
toward the election Of Theodore Roose-
welt in November. 1t was wiser to put
q State ticket In the field. At a
preliminary meeting. held the night bo-
fore. Mr.. Thompson supported this posi-
ton with some f1rInness and assurance
OF success. Mr.. Batchelder says that he
is not first Of all Roosevelt man but
n progressive. He said that the most
effective field Of operations was here at
home. He made It known that he would
not be in favor Of In any way prejudicns
the progressive cause III Vermont, even
for the purpose Of fu1thering the fortunes
OF Mr.. Roosevelt. He believed that
progressive principles in this State could
be better furthered by endorsing the
candidacy Of Harland B. Howe. the
democratic nominee for governor than by
placing a third ticket In the field. MT
Batchelder let It be known in no un-
Inistakable manner that he would have
nothing to do with any policy Of ad-
vancing Roosevelts interests by playing
into the hands OF Mr.. Fletcher and the
republican State ticket; that II the colonel
were In possession Of all Of the facts OF
the local situation. he would agree with
Mr. Batchelder and anyway II the colone
would not behave In this manner, HI
would have ono less supporter in Yer
mont In the shape Of that SAM
Batchelder.
This contest was carried to the hool
Of the convention and lengthy debate
followed motion. made by Walter I
Coburn of North Bennington. to lay OF
the table the matter OF nominating
State ticket. This motion was killed. how
ever. by vote OF yes II. no AZ
CONVENTION ORGANIZED
The delegates and spectators to tn,
number Of about 70 met IN the west par
Tor of the hotel and the cal! Of the meetint
was read by Sam Lee Abbott OF Bethe
and the temporary organization was per
fected with DR.. John H. Blodgett OF Bel
lows Falls chairman and Mr.. Abbott sec
rotary. DR.. Blodgett made the followin,
brief speech. after which the organiza
ton was made permanent:
DIR. BLODGETT'S ADDRESS.
In the crises of nations men have no
been wanting who with prophetic visiol
have led the way to higher and bette
things.
In the history of our own country 1t 4
with just pride that We feel this to b
unusually true. Theold world has locke
on and wondered whether a government
of the people. for the people and by tn
people could long survive.
With high ideals. conservation OF sell
sacrifice of the few for the good Of tn
many. this nation has justified the princi
pies upon which 1t was founded and W
have had here a real government by an
for the people
This nation has been called upon
pass through the fires OF internal strif
and has emerged a better country wit
broader humanity and a higher concer
ton of liberty and duty.
To-day and here we face another cr1s
in our national life, political In Its ma
ture. No man seems quite able to forese
the end from the beginning. but every ma
who has faith In the Justice OF Almight
God believes that all things will work Il
gether for good toward a cleaner. sane
and safer government for the people {
this great nation,
We are not here primarily to criticise
70 abuse. 1t Is rather with regret an
sorrow that we are forced to admit that
period has been reached In our nations
life when representative government ha
become so perverted that It no longer rel
reseh,s. Few who know can successfui'
deny the truth Of this statemen
All honest men. of whatever pt
litical belief. recognize the true COT
dition. We must meet 1t u the govern
ment Of the nation we love IL to loE
survive. Good men. honest men. az
sincere men differ as &c the best methc
of fighting the alarming conditions whie