The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1912-06-11
SOCIALIST CONVENTION
CONTINUED from LIST pageJ

intervals and the conclusion evoked
much cheering. II was Immediately
adopted by reclamation, half the del
egates rising at once TO make the mo-
ton. The platform. which is of mod
crate length, states the principles OF
Socialism. praises the party's nation
al nominees and pays a glowing trib-
ute TO the work ofeCongressman Vic
tor L. Berger, of Wisconsin. All po-
ltical parties are declared to be repres
entative of economic interests. The
Republican and Democratic parties
are declared to be under the control
OF plutocracy, the Socialist party be
ing the only representative OF the la
boring masses. Ii is also claimed
that the Socialist party is the only
party whose program upon the trust
question Is not entirely destructive
The constructive feature of the Soc
iahst program is emphasized.
The platform demands for this
state equal suffrage for both sexes
the initiative, referendum and recall
abolition of child labor and of night
work for women: better legislation
for the insurance of working people
against accidents and disease; abol
ition OF the poll tax and educational
reforms.
The convention also adopted by un
animous vote a statement reported
by the committee on platform. deal
ing with the subject of religion. 1t Ii
intended to use this extensively IL
the campaign as leaflet, especially
among the Catholic voters of the
state. The statement shows that tn,
party is entirely neutral in its atti
tude toward all creeds and sects, tax
ing its stand upon the Fundamental
principle laid down in the constitu
ton of the United States.
The principal change in the con
stitution Of the party makes the stat,
committee elected by the state con
vention.. and therefore to hold Office
for two years. The Office of stat
chairman is made a permanent feat
ure OF the constitution, the incumben
of the Office being a member of tn,
state committee and of tn,
national committee. John Spargo o
Old Bennington, was elected to thi
position. The other members of tn
state committee are Fred Suitor Ban
re; w. II. Jones, Barre; Chester +
Ordway. Proctorsville and w. Healey
| WebstervillC.
For governor. State Chairman Spar
| go placed in nomination Fred w. Su
tor of Barre. dwelling upon the non
inee's prominence in labor union Gin
Giles up state. Mr. Sutton is the IL
ternational secretary-treasurer Of tn
Quarrymens Union and editor Of IN
Quarry Workers Journal MIR. Su
tor was nominated by unanimous vot
the only other nominee, c. Il. Orc
way, declining For lieutenant govel
nor. ID. =. Bryant, of Readsboro. nc
minated Allan z. Bourbon OF WOOD
stock. This nomination was ais
made unanimous. Mr.. Bourbon is
machinist. prominently identified wit
the Roman Catholic church, of whic
he is a communicate. For state trel
surer, the convention selected job
Mcmillan of Burlington, baker, WI
liam Healey. a stationary enginee
of Websterville, was nominated q
secretary OF state. John NJ. Jewe
OF Proctorsville an accountant. Il
auditor OF accounts and a. d. XIII
ball of Hardwick an attorney, for a
torney general
For presidential electors, the co
vention nominated James Canfel
Bennington: Leonard X. Erlckso
Proctor; Robert Gordon. Barre an
Marcus 7. Armstrong. Benningto
The state committee was given u
usual authority to al vacancies {
the ticket should such arise.
The congressional conventions (,
the first and second districts wei
ordered to be held at Bennington an
Barre on June 18th. and the delegat,
were instructed to nominate Chest,
Il, Ordway. of Proctorsville, and Joi
Spargo OF Old Bennington, In the
respective districts.
The convention adjourned at 10:;
p. m, having lasted from 1880 a. I
Following the convention the sta
committee meets for an extended We
sion to prepare plans for the car
paign. IL is expected that Debs an
Seidel will both visit Benningto
Barre, Burlington and other places
the state. telegram to that enc
being read to the convention
State Chairman Spargo, who will
to Chicago next week to confer vii
the candidates and the campall