Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-03-07

Whether favors President Taft exPresident Roose
welt or Justice Hughes other of the great men Of
presidency most thinking people recognize that there should
be fair and untrammeld expression of sentiment on the
part OF the rank and file of the party That is the only way
to get truly representative government ,.,
free Of opinion unrmmeled action throughout
the country whole in the presidential election of 1908 in
stead Of using the roller force Taft nomination,
fine finds @ % Gs would not be in the position in which
No man should undertake to deliver the delegation the
republican national convention particular candidate or
possibility before the people have spoken freely through proper
the republicans of the Green Mountain State have always been
of our State.
1t is right and that should have choice
but also right that he grant every other repub
the privilege he claims for himself 1t also perfect
y proper for his opinion how the State
is likely and also legitimate argument he may
exert to persuade others to think he thinks regards both
Before general discussion of the issues of the campaign
gathers shape may be well take thought the
which Vermont should pursue with formal action
regarding candidates. While Vermont has never been
backward about expressing opinion has rule in
sruced its delegates support particular matter
what unexpected contingency may ase
The for this obvious An of preference
for particular candidate is sufficient enable the delega
ton to be loyal to the wishes of the rank and file of the party
expressed through the selecting dele
gates but it makes possible for the delegation of
any unexpected contingency dragging
slaughter might be ironclad resolution
of instruction to be adopted
in this particular may be helpful this Beginning
with 1876 the first following the administrations Of
President Grant who at that time the nations military
idol the republicans expressed presidential preference for
the guidance of the Vermont delegation.
In 1880 Vermont began to dream that United States Sen
George f. Edmunds might be presidential probability.
and the delegation the republican national convention carried
with it resolution presenting to the republicans of the
try George Edmunds suitable candidate for President
In 1884 Mr. Edmunds again endorsed for the presidency by
the Vermont republicans.
Our republicans expressed presidential preference in
1888 and Vermont consequently able take hand in
ctng Benjamin Harrison for the presidency with results to the
which have yet exist In 1892 preference
expressed
Then the memorable contest of 1896 when the epub
cans of Vermont in resolution declared that In the
apostle Of protection William Mckinley of Ohio recognize
first choice of the republicans Vermont for their presdn
a candidate In 1900 the resolutions called for the renomn
alton of President Mckinley.
In 1904 the Vermont republicans endorsed President Roose
welt who had succeeded the amened Mckinley September
following latter gatOn but 1908 the republicans of
State expressed preference although evident
the that Mr. Taft sufficient number of votes
through the influence of President Roosevelt to his
nation.
evident from this summary that the only instance since
1876 period of hrtysiX in which Vermont practically
bound its delegation of contest with candidate from
this State in 1896 in the of Mckinley
We believe however that the republicans of Vermont
do instruct their national delegation should
dicae choice for in this only the delegation be
vOicing the sentiments of the
whole.
is at all improbable that the struggle between Taft
and Roosevelt will become bitter that neither be
elected nominated for this feel that the
u bcans of Vermont while freely manestng choice of
didaes should tie their delegates hand and foot in April
months later