The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1912-05-21
CONG. PLUMLEY DEFENDED.
Mortified Makes Statement in Reply
for Frank D. Thompson.

iol FRANK ~. thompson.
To-day's Mortified News has the fol.
lowing defense Of Representative Frank
Plumley, who is seeking a denomination
and reelection in the second Vermont
district:
I'm announcing himself as a candidate
for Congress to succeed MIR. Plumley,
Frank D. Thompson, Esq, of Barton
bases his opposition upon his statement
that the record made by Mr.. Plumley
in Congress is not satisfactory in that he
has taken no aggressive position on leg
slation, is not progressive, is q stand
patter and a reactionary! None of his
charges are correct
In Congress or elsewhere he has never
been a standpatter or reactionary. He
is, and always has been independent,
and at all times has voted and acted
upon his own judgment, for what he
believes TO be fore the greatest number,
regardless of who favored or who OPP
posed the measure. Mr.. Plumley's record
in Congress is the best, and complete
refutation of Mr.. Thompson's charges,
and it is due him that attention be
called to a few of the many aggressive
and progressive measures he has favored,
and to his position generally in Con-
gress.
"When he was elected to Congress
much fault was found with the rules
of the House. in which sentiment he
shared. This condition has been COM
pletely changed. The rules are now lib
eral to the limit, Mr.. Plumley voted
for every liberal rule which was made
in the 6lst Congress.
"He is not in favor of repeating the
oleomargarine law, but on the contrary
at all times before the committee and
elsewhere, has stood firmly for the pur-
pose of trying to make the law stronger
and more vital and helpful to the but
ter producers of the country. He has
taken the position, that in the inter-
est of the butter maker and of the con-
sumner, all fraud in the sale of oleomar-
garine must be eliminated to the last
degree go far as it can be done by Con-
gressional action.
"On all matters of tariff legislation he
has applied the rule, that if the proposed
measure retained the protective prin-
ciple and did no more than To make good
the difference between the cost of pro-
duetion at home and abroad, he voted
for it; if not, he voted against it.
"He has stood at all times for real prog
ress within the Republican party. If
his district gives him new interpreta-
ton of his duty he viii be true to it. He
will then no more than in the past shirk,
avoid or betray the trust.
"He voted for a Constitutional amend
ment providing for the direct election of
United States senator's; favors a parcels
post, upon zone or distance system,
fair and Just to all users, and safe for
the treasury of the United States; voted |
for the corrupt practices acts affecting |
senators, representatives and presiden- |
tial candidates; for the eight hour law |
for government employees; for the act |
regulating the labor of postal employees,
for the childrens bureau bill; to make |
Alaska an organized territory; and for
the acceptance OF the Arizona consti- |
vision for the recall Of Judges, believing |
that the constitution, although it con.
tanned the provision for the recall of |
judges, believing that the constitution
submitted secured to that state a repub- |
lican form of government, and that the
people Of Arizona had, therefore d right |
to such constitution if they desired |
it, He helped to enact the law making
valid all reservations for forests and |
streams made during Mr. RooseYelt's adj
ministration, and to extend the power
of the president in this regard Sup
porting legislation providing for liberal
pensions for the reserving soldiers and
sailors, he has also been successful in
securing the enactment of a goodly num-
Der of special acts for the relief OF neees-
sitous cases.
HE asserts that the time is ripe, when
in the interest of the employed and Of
the employer compensation for damages
suffered in occupations which in their
nature are hazardous, should be provid-
ed by a rule of law which is humane and
Just, as between the two.
"0n all legislative questions upon
which the platform of the Republican
party spoke definitely, he stood square
~ upon that platform, and when it was
silent he voted for the highest good of
the largest number, as he saw it.
During the first term in Congress he
was selected to act with one other,
Democratic member, to prepare the re-
port Of the committee on agriculture ,
On the important WeeksAppalachian
BILL and to sustain the bill [
on its final passage. In this connection
his work was noticed by the Press of the
country, and he was alluded to as The (
New Live Wire of the committee.
"He has taken an active, aggressive |
part as constructive legislator, and has
been on nearly every subcommittee
10 which have been assigned for eonsid [
grafton the following important meas
ares, viz:
"The olemargerine bills, both SEES I