The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1912-03-01
Nal R0ossvsIt,s PLATFORM Enunoated


of politics and government, wholly in |
dependent of any question of person
al preference in connection with the |
present presidential contest, in order
that its various features may stand |
on their own merits.
We are entirely aware that in a |
time OF political stress dispasslonate
and wholly impartial consideration oil |
any subject of this kind is difficult, |
particularly in the course OF debate,
where one greatly admires two or
more men, it is an easy matter to
treat all considerably and impartial
ly. /
1t is helpful in time like this OF
heated political controversy and Of
ten of acrimonious vituperation to
come down to a consideration of the
practical application of the theory of
politics and government. Mr. Roose-
welt has long been regarded as high
authority on questions of this charac-
ter and he speaks from comprehen-
sive knowledge gained from thor
ough study of the fathers of our gov
eminent as well as of long line OF
distinguished sons.
It is a fair statement of Mr. Roose-
velt's utterance that il is about what
would have been expected from him
on great occasion like a constitution
al convention. This is equivalent to
saying that it contains no startling
departures, and little that is positive
ly new. This is not to be accepted
as adverse criticism any more than
the same statement applied to the Bi
BILE could be taken for criticism.
Mr.. Roosevelt has stood for pro
gressive' principles and policies and
the people of the country have a fair
ly adequate idea by this time what
progressive policy means. There
are varying degrees OF progressivism,
however and il is for the purpose of
discussing the fine shades of distinc-
ton that we consider Mr.. Roosevelts
speech this morning, dealing especial
ly with those which may be regarded
as political issues.
Our ex-presidents position on the
trust question can still be summed up
by his famous utterance that There
are good trusts and bad trusts" He
says ut is imperative to exercise over
big business a control and supervision
which is unnecessary as regards small
business All business must be con
Quoted under the law, and all bust
ness men, big or little, must act just
ly. But a wicked big interest is nee
essarily more dangerous to the com
munity than a wicked little interest.
Continuing Mr.. Roosevelt says that
"The antitrust law does good In so
far as it can be invoked against com
binations which are really monopo-
lies or which restrict production or
which artifcially raise prices. But in
so far as its workings are uncertain,
or it threatens corporations which
have been guilty of anti-social con
duct, it does HARM
Mr.. Roosevelt also calls for coop
Grafton between the state and nation
and for the square deal for corpora
tons that are not engaged in the vic.
lation of the law.
We do not note any material change
in this attitude OF Mr. Roosevelt on
the trust question. and It is fair to
assume that his policies now in con
nection with this issue are practic-
ally the same as when he was in the
White House.
The particular progressive princi'
pies which have gained more atten'
ton since Mr. Roosevelt ceased TO be
our national executive are the initia-
tive and the referendum and the re-
call, and we naturally turn TO those
subjects with increased interest, al
though they have less importance for
the people as a whole than the issue
of business control, which affects
every man and woman and child in
the country, directly or indirectly.
Mr.. Roosevelt does not believe
there is any great necessity for II
as regards short term elective officers.
was originally inclined to be hostile
to II. know OF one case where II
was actually used with mischlevous
results" On the other hand in three
municipal cases on the Pacific slope
he says Il was used with good re-
suits He believes II should be gen
orally provided. but with such restric.
lions as will make II available. only
when there is widespread and genuine
public feeling among the majority OF
the voters.
Right here history and experience
have demonstrated that this Is the
very situation when people should
! take time TO think How many times
during the war for example. might
not Lincoln have been recalled on
sudden impulse by discouraged and
oyer-wrought people?
In relation TO the recall OF judges
Mr.. Roosevelt concludes that eithcr
recall will have to be adopted or
II will have to be made much easier
than II now is to get rid, not merely
OF bad judge. but OF a judge, who,
lhowever virtuous. has grown so out
OF touch with social needs and facts
that he is unfit longer to render good
service on the bench. Where the ex.
listing remedies like impeachment do
not afford relief he would unhesitat
ingly adopt the recall
In other words Mr.. Roosevelt does
not want the recall unless Il is abso.
lutely necessary, and that is probab.
ly where most people stand. The
trouble Is TO determine when Il IS
necessary and when II can be wisely
used.
Before We adopt the recall OF jud
ges, we would like to see greater care
exercised throughout the country In