The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1912-08-09
The Party OF Efficiency.

Owing to the fact that an unusual
attempt is being made this year TO
divert Vermont Republicans from al
legiance to their party at the Sep
TENDER election, it is well to pause
and take our bearings.
What charges can be brought
against the Republican ticket or the
party that justify desertion from the
ranks? Is the Republican ticket
composed of weaker and less eff
cient men than that of the other par
ties A comparison will show that
the Republican ticket is much. stron-
err than any other ticket. Mr.. Fletch'
err the candidate for governor, is a
man of high character, and large bus
mess experience, and his ten years
experience in the Legislature gives
him unusual familiarity with State
affairs. Mr. Howe, the candidate fol
lieutenant governor, has served with
distinction as member of and Speaker
of the House. AS newspaper man
he is familiar with Vermont's needs
and conditions. His early affiliatior
with the Roosevelt wing of the party
and his decision to remain in the
party, is an example that many mer
of similar tendencies will follow. The
remainder of the ticket is made III
of men of expert ability.
Is there any cloud on the title
which the party nominees hold? No
body makes any such charge. The
Republican ticket was nominated af
ter fair and clear campaign, one
unusually free from the expenditure
of money or the use of questionable
methods.
Is the record of the Republican
party in Office such that it deserves
defeat? On the contrary its record Is
one of splendid efficiency. If the
word progressive has not lost II!
usual meaning, then the Republican
party of Vermont, in the best sense
of the term, has been approgressivt
party. It's record OF beneficent leg
islation enacted is one of which an!
party in any state might well 6t
proud. Instead of showing lessenet
efficiency Vermont Republicanism II
showing greater efficiency in recen
years and the party platform this
year shows a program of statesman
like measures that promises big things
for the future welfare of Vermont.
1t can be proved beyond the shad
ow of a doubt that the Republican
party is prepared TO serve Vernon
better than any other party. II hai
been honest and faithful in its admin
! istration of affairs. Is ii good bus
! mess or good morals to rebukek tn
party for being honest and faithful
in its administration of affairs. Il
| il good business or good morals L
rebuke the party for being honest aht
| faithful and progressive by cutting
down its majority? If it had beer
corrupt and inefficient, if it had nom
mated unfit and dishonorable candi
dates, If IL had written a record o
unprogressive deeds, then rebuk'
might be necessary, but II the same
punishment is to be melted out fol
good service that is given for unfaith
full service then the people of Yer
mont set up injustice as their stand
ard of reward for tasks well done.
The party record and the party
candidates this year deserve the
hearty support of every man in Yer
mont who has identified himself with
the Republican party. Let any Re
publican who is disposed to vote fol
Howe or Metzger or Smith ask him
self what Vermont has to gain by
weakening the Republican party
what good can he accomplish that he
cannot achieve more easily by remain
ing a loyal member of his party.
There is a sense OF justice in the
plea that a party that has been lone
in onice should be rebuked unless II
has been unfaithful or inefficient
No such charges can be established
against Vermont Republcanism. A
long period of honorable service is
in itself a reason for continuing that
service. Let every man VINO has been
proud to call himself a Vermont Re
publican examine carefully the rea
sons that are presented before he de
cides to transfer his allegiance else
where. Let him satisfy himself that
the great forward movement for a
greater and better Vermont, so vel
begun, can be carried on more rapidly
and more efficiently by new and un
tried officials before he casts his
vote against the party of real and
lasting progress in the Green Noun
tain commonwealth. - Montpelier
Journal.