The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1912-03-14
VERMONT AND TAFT.
Latter Scored by Ex-Gov. Barstow and
Defended by Burlington Free Press.

Defended by Burlington Free Press.
We regret that Ex-Governor J. /
Barstow has used the Incorporate Ian
guage embodied in his communicated
printed elsewhere assailing Presiden
Taft in connection with the Republican
platform. lie saws President Taft de
serted the Republican cause in connec
ton with Canadian reciprocity and w
take equally positive ground that h
did not desert the farmers OF Vernon
or any other state.
The very fact that the farmers o
/ Canada refused to favor reciprocity il
such large numbers showed that the,
realize we would have had the best o
! the bargain.
Moreover, since reciprocity was re
iccted, as was the case previously, ;
number Of farm products have beer
| higher in Canada than in the UniteC
States.
1 If President Taft did not make bat
/ bargain for The farmers of the United
| States as whole, then he has not been
faithless to the Republican cause anC
| Mr. Barstow's whole argument falls tC
| the ground Of its own dead weight and
| the baseless attack will simply helI
Nj Taft
In any event talk Of this character
is in striking contrast to the splendid
example set BY Mr.. Taft when he speak.
of the good work Of my distinguished
predecessor
But ex-Goyernor Barstow has done
more than 70 attack President Taft
ia effect he has charged that every jour
nal, including the Free Press and the
great majority Of papers, and a host
OF sterling Republicans in Vermont and
elsewhere, repudiated the Republican
platform in supporting the reciprocity
proposition which the great Canadian
farming districts were largely instru-
mental in rejecting.
1t is too late to figure the benefits
that would have come to the farming
interests Of the Champlain valley and
OF all northern Vermont from the open
ing of Montreal to this region as an
ocean port. II is safe to say, however,
that a host OF men who looked to this
possible development are as loyal to
our great farming industry as good Re-
puhlicans and as conscientious American
smash the record of Republican ad-
ninstration 70 help them carry point
in unnecessary and deplorably bitter
factional warfare, regardless Of the eff
feet upon the future of our glorious
party. and the probability that they
thus viii help the Democrats bring the
very disaster to the cause of protec-
tior for our farming districts they now
profess to deplore. Burlington Free
Press
Ex-Gov. Barstow's letter is as fol-
lows:
To the editor of the Free Press:
That part Of the Republican platform
Of 1908 which refers to the tariff reads
thus.
In all tariff legislation the true prin-
ciplp of protection is best maintained
by the imposition of such duties as will
equal the difference between the cost
of production at home and abroad to-
gcther with a reasonable profit to Amer
lean industries, the aim and purpose of
the Republican policy being not only TO
preserve. without excessive duties, that
security against foreign competition to
which American manufacturers, farmers
and producers are entitled, but also TO
maintain the high standard of living of
the wage earncrs of this country who
are the most direct beneficiaries of the
protective system"
This was Republican doctrine in 1908
and will remain so until another conven-
tor forms another platform. 1t con-
tains a pledge of protection to farmers
and when Mr.. Taft attempts to give
free trade to farmers on what they
have to sell 10 their nearest and almost
only competitors, while high protec-
tive duty was still levied on nearly all
articles that he has to
buy, / think it is time to express some
opposition to his becoming our candidate
again.
In January, 1917, Mr. Taft completed
his Canadian bargain which seemed to
place farmers in class by themselves
to be slaughtered by free trade and was
J direct violation of the Republican plat
form
When Mr. Harrison was elected presi-
lent in 1910, with John Tyler as vice
president and Mr.. Harrison died with
in 80 days-it was found that Mr..
Tyler had become a Democrat and, the
wings ever after characterized him as
the traitor president" Mr. TYLER did
not depart from the wing platform of
1910 any more than Mr.. Taft has de-
parted from the Republican platform of
1908.
Mr.. Taft has violated the pledge of !
Inc Republican party made to the peo-
de Many great LAWYERS claim that his I
compact with Sir Wilfred Laurier was
unauthorized and con-
rarv to the constitution. which requires
hat all revenue bills shall originate in I
he House
When he found what storm his at
empted bargain had created be made a (
cries of speeches attempting TO defend {
lis course. Among them he said, at
east twice. that there was no more 4
Inference in the economic condition eX
sting between the border states OF the