The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1912-06-22
The Tentative Platform


is of exceptional value on account of
the kind of reflex educational effect
which it is likely to have upon the
people of the state, On the whole,
everyone must approve unless there
be some red-eyed radicals who are
disappointed because the outline con
tains no provision for the assassina-
ton of judges and the decapitation of
legislatures.
Among the more significant sugges-
tons are reforms in the system of
nomination, changes in the corrupt
practices law, with particular refer
ence to publicity Of campaign expen-
ses, altered methods of taxation, and
a fair and reasonable" workman's
compensation law. The tax question
is an involved one, worthy of sepa-
rate discussion.
That the nomination system now in
vogue almost everywhere needs over
hauling seems to be the prevailing
opinion. II seems to be generally be-
lieved that indirect methods of filling
representative Offices afford an oppor-
tunity for influences other than the
interests of the electorate to inter
yene so that the incumbent of the of
flee may forget whose servant he
really is. The tentative platform ad-
yocates more direct methods of nom.
lnation. II also expresses the opin.
ion that nominations are the concern
of the parties, and that reforms such
as those suggested are better left to
be worked out within the party. This
is open to question.
Parties In this country have beer
from the outset unofficial organiza
tons. At the very first they were al
most clandestine and in some instan
ces were legislated against. Not 9
few OF the sore spots in our politics
have developed from this very fact
The trend of things has tended tC
make parties more and more par
of the official machinery of govern
ment When the legislature imposes
the rules by which the party is t
govern itself 1t dignihes the party
Making caucuses as much a part o
the regular organization of govern
ment as elections now are, ought {,
give the ordinary voter greater res
pect for this link in the chain which
leads from the mere aspirant, through
the stage OF the nominee, to the cleo
ted Official And in one-party stat,
like Vermont that link is the impor
tant one. Unless there are stronl
practical reasons to the contrary, /
may seem wise to go farther thar
the suggestion in the platform, ant
recommend that nomination reforms
be imposed by the legislature and no
left TO be worked out within the par
| ~.
The plank favoring publicity o
campaign expenses, II embodied in
reasonable law, would probably prov,
full as much to the advantage O
wealthy seekers OF office as 10 thei
less wealthy rivals In every stat,
there Is tribe of leeches who lev,
tribute upon the rich in politics an,
try TO spread the opinion that Il 4
a stingy thing for rich man in Dolt
tics not TO scatter money right an
LETT. This is not so much the cas-
In Vermont as in many other states
but there is always room for improve
ment The difficulty is In framing
law which will be reasonable and eli
fective. In general. the tendenc
with corrupt practice laws is to har
dicap the scrupulous man by COL
fronting him with obstacles whlc
less conscientious rivals will ovel
leap without the slightest hesitation
A law for the publicity OF campaig
expenses must not only command tn
law-abiding man to be truthful in hi
statement, but must compel like col
duct on the part Of the INSCRIPTION,
The recommendation of worl
mans compensation law Is in accor
with the dictates OF humanity an
with the spirit of the times. Unde
present conditions II is only lust tha
the risk TO humanity be made a pal
OF the running expenses OF any col
cern. Practically. this would be bel
ehcial In eliminating a mass OF III
CATION OF disagreeable character
IL is refreshing TO note that wit
these progressive and almost radio,
measures the committee had not ri,
en- way to an enthusiasm for indi
criminate radicality. Neither tn,
prime heresy. the recall of Judge
nor the expensive. cumbersome an
wrongprincipled initiative and refe
endum is included In the tentatiy
platform. The language OF the par
graph condemning the recall of deci
ions seems to indicate a mlsconcel
ton OF just what the recall of deci
ions is, and of the limits which IN
author OF this innovtlon set for 1
But even rightly conceived Il
doubtful IL Vermont is in any way
need OF the recall OF decisions
Vermont Is a small state and a co,
paratively old state. on the whol
her problems are not such as deman
drastic measures. And for the mo,
part her traditions are not such a
should be lightly departed from. We
mont should be conservative in DR.
serving what is established. and ra,
zeal In adding such new ideas and Il
situations as are worth while. Wher
the two precepts conflict sound Ne
England common sense must turn N
balance. But there are more case
than men are likely to believe wher
q man may be progressive withot