Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-04-04
|NNUENDOES SPUR
MEAD TO ANSWER
Mysterious Roosevelt Committee
Attacks Governor in Politi.
cal Advertising.

Rutland. March Ex-Governor John A.
Mead. who was attacked in the political
advertising Issued by the Roosevelt COM
nitlee, said Tonight My attention has
been called TO a political advertisement
OF the Roosevelt committee addressed to
the voters of Vermont dated March %.
~" direct statement is made. but certain
inquiries are therein directed which
propose to answer in the most positive
ana emphatic manner. TO the first,
"h'ch asks If | have promised to deliver
the vermont delegation in the national
republican convention to President Taft
'et me reply | have never at any time
Or place assumed that | had authority
TO pledge any vote, but my own. I chal-
lcnge said committee to indicate where
ana to whom ! ever made any such
lled or promise
THE next interroga tory asks # | have
selected myself as chairman of that dele
sntion. answer. never. Senator Carroll
= Page has been announced for this
position with practical unanimity and
there has been no opposition manifested
by me or the republicans of Vermont
with my knowledge or consent
There follows this Interrogation: DO
YOU know that Governor Mead has select
&C the men to complete the deegation?'
md | answer, never at any time have
pressed or strongly indicated a choice.
Let me ask of this self-styled Roosevelt
committee what man or men have I Sc
lsctcd
LEAVES IT TO CONVENTION.
"1he State convention itself. composed,
as it will be. of seven hundred represen-
tativc citizens Of Vermont. will select and
determine who shall compose the entire
delegation.
Tho next question asks: VIII you
stand for this sort of political piracy? II
there he political piracy, and I so charge.
II is the false, malicious innuendoes con-
tanned in said advertisement for which
Colonel Rooacvelt's unknown and am
flushed committee alone are responsible
!, ther" bo political dctation. it Is the die
t.ton Of this irresponsible and unknown
committee which exists only in the imagi-
nation Of those who hide behind that false
ana SUI grStivc advertisement and dare
not fight fair and in the open field.
"'rNcrc has not De"n upon my part any
lrcconcciNe ed plan 20 rob voters OF their
liberty hUt on the contrary I have only
given expression to my personal opinion
as to the merits of the President and ex-
president. This Is my inaienab|c right as
it is likewise the right of every voter Of
tho State. independent or otherwise, TO
cypress his opinion ana register Il az the
BALLOT box tomorrow.
80 APOLOGY TO MAXI.
Il have no apology to make here or
elseWho for have voiced only my
indiViduHl Judgment and stated what
I have been advised was the consen-
sus of opinion throughout this COM
monwoalth that rocked the cradle Of
nc political party to which we be-
long. ard is thc star that never has
set in it's LOYALTY 10 republican prin-
ciplos and IN it's continued devotion
to tho const 'tutional and representa-
tive government. inaugurated by
washington and the forefathers. per
petuated by Lincoln and the gallant
armies "f the North. and which has
had the best thought end the supreme
effort Of the great leaders Of our
party in that 50 Years of national and
individual accomplishment and
achievement. which has had no par
allel in the worlds history. and has
reached its greatest era during the
present administration OF that knight
~ statesman, William Howard Taft"