The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1912-09-14
MIR. FIetcher's Service.


One of the greatest reproaches to
the Green Mountain state since the
beginning of the present century has
been the venal character of some of
its gubernatorial campaigns, involv-
ing the Republican nomination.
1t is no secret that individuals in
different counties have come to be
known as "heelers" who do not work
in a campaign unless they are paid
for it, and those familiar with politi-
cal movements are thus usually able
to detect the first appearance of
money in canvass.
There are also a few individuals.
who have fastened themselves upon
Vermont like bloodsuckers, seeming
from afar every contest which affords
the remotest possibility of revenue
and if there is no evidence or indica-
ton of contest over an office, it is
their game to promote a struggle in
order that they may be able to force
their services upon the candidates as
promoter" or as a pusher of pub
licity.
Hon. Allen NJ. Fletcher did not es-
cape the approaches of this particu-
lar brand of political promoter and he
has in his possession a letter which,
II published, would have proved to
the people of Vermont the manner of
campaign he was not conducting, and
at the same time have demonstrated
that there was one political dead
beat" in Vermont without whom the
state would be better off.
If Mr.. Fletcher had listened to
some of the committee he would have
published this letter, which would
haye gone far to demonstrate to the
state how some of the really con
scieious people who opposed him on
one ground or another were working
shoulder to shoulder. even though in
some cases unconsciously, with the
very class of political grafters the
state has been struggling so zealously
to eliminate from political activity.
This letter indicated to Mr.. Fetch
err that if he knew when he was well
of, or when his candidacy was in
danger, he would at once put himself
in working connection with Rutland
and get himself into the hands of the
aforesaid political promoter other
wise there were certain things which
could be reproduced in print and
dire other things would happen.
Interpreted in plan English, this
was an attempt at political blackmail
pure and simple
Other governors had submitted to
this sort of gubernatorial brigandage.
but Mr. Fletcher did the people of the
whole state In general and future gov
ernors in particular. a genuine ser
vice when he refused to pay any at
tention to TINS epistle of blackmail.
and thus by bidding defiance to this
ready letter writer and other political
barnacles of this kind helped on the
struggle of the people of Vermont
against the sway of money in politics.
Not content with writing an in.
eliminating letter this political pro-
moter had the temerity to go to Lud-
low and wait around a considerable
perid in the hope that he might be
able to way lay Mr. Fletcher and thus
force. through mere ponderosity OF
personal responsiveness, Nthe conces-
sions which his discriminating letter
had failed 10 draw forth.
Following the failure of this ma.
rauding expedition, dark hints of DO
litical strife and sanguinary warfare
over the governorship began to make
their appearance in print accompan.
led by alleged prophetic figures tend
ing to show that there would be three
candidates in the state Republican
convention, and Fletcher would not
be the winner.
To those who have known all along
OF the existence of the discriminating
letter In Mr.. Fletcher's possession.
the explanation of the cause of the
prophet of evil mas been somewhat
amusing as well as plain.
IL Mr.. Fletcher had been willing 10
pay the price, he would have been
submerged in rapidly succeeding
waves OF fulsome adulation and hail.
ed as political Moses.
Having utterly refused 10 submit TO
this biennial "hold-up". Mr.. Fletcher
is assailed and sneered at and mis-.
represented and abused.
Fortunately the zone of influence
in which the political promoter oper-
ated has shown no effects of his work
as compared with other counties of
the east side of the state. where the
margin against Mr.. Fletcher was
much larger.
Now that the selection OF a COVER.
nor has gone to the legislature II will
be a comparatively easy matter to
concentrate this policy OF misrepre-
sentation upon the less than 800 men
who will constitute vermont's next
body OF lawmakers and try TO accom-
plish under the surface what failed in
open day.
The people Of Vermont should real
lie fully the way in which Mr.. Fetch
er withstood the pressure brought 10
bear upon him by the heelers and
grafters and manifest their appreci-
alton in a way that will help render
1t difficult to support in future anv
candidate for governor who makes
use OF the services Of this sort Of
political leech. "-Burlingto Free