Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1912-05-24
CONGRESSMAN PLUMLEY,

In announcing himself as a candidate
Frank D. Thompson, Esq, of Barton
bases his opposition upon his statement
that the record made by Mr.. Plumley
in Congress is note satisfac Glory in that
he has taken no aggressive position on
legislation is not progressive, is a stand
patter and a reactionary! None of his
charges are correct
In Congress or elsewhere he has never
been a standpatter or a reactionary. He
is, and always has been independent
and at all times has voted and acted
upon his own judgment, for what he
believed to be the best for the greatest
number, regardless of who favored or
who opposed the measure. Mr. Plum
ley's record in Congress is the best, and
complete refutation of Mr.. Thomp-
sons charges, and 1t is due him that
attention be called to a few of the many
aggressive and progressive measures he
has favored, and to his position gen.
orally in Congress.
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 61st 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 strong
! er and more vital and helpful to the
butter producers Of the country. He
has taken the position, that in the in
! terest Of the butter maker and OF the
| margarine must be eliminated to the
last degree SO far as it can be done by
| Congressional action.
On all matters of tariff legislation he
! has applied the rule. that If the pro-
| posed measure retained the protective
principle and did no more than to make
good the difference between the cost OF
| production at home and abroad, he
voted for 1t; II not, he voted against It,
He has stood at all times for real
| progress within the Republican party
II his district gives him a new inter-
| probation of his duty he will be true "a
! 1t. 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 senators; favors par
| GELS post, upon a zone or distance sys-
| tenn, fair and just to all users, and safe
| for the treasury of the United States
voted for the corrupt practices acts af-
| fecting senators, representatives and
presidential candidates; for the eight
| hour law for government employees; for
the act regulating the labor OF postal
| employees; for the children's bureau
bill; to make Alaska an organized terri
tory; and for the acceptance of the
| Arizonia constitution, although II con-
tanned provision for recall of judges, be-
| lieving that the constitution submitted
1 AlaN 90. 60 ID
I of government. and that the people OF
| Arizona had, therefore a right to such
constitution. II they desired ii. He
| helped to enact the law making valid
| all reservations for forests and streams
made during Mr.. Roosevelt's admlnistra-
ton, and to extend the power of the
! President in this regard Supporting
| legislation providing for liberal pensions
| for the deserving soldiers and sailors,
he has also been successful in securing
the enactment of a goodly number of
especial acts for the relief OF necessitious
| cases.
He asserts that the time is ripe, when
In the interest of the employed and of
| the employer compensation for dam
/ ages suffered in occupations which in
| their nature are hazardous, should be
provided by rule OF law which is hui
name and just. as between the two.
On all legislative questions upon which
the platform or the Republican party
spoke definitely. he stood squarely upon
that platform. and when II was silent
he voted for the highest good of the
largest number. as he saw II.
During the first term in Congress he
was selected to act with one other a
Democratic member, to prepare the re-
port of the committee on agriculture
on the important Weeks-Appla chan
conservation bill, and to sustain the bill
m re AnQ QQ In of nf
his work was noticed by the press OF