Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1914-09-09
PROUTY ON ISSUES AND MEN
CONTINUED FROM PAGE TWO

in sympathy with this modern uplift
tendency-with this effort to elevate
society and benefit humanity. If they
are not, then he ought to be returned,
for he would fairly represent the
majority. If the fact be otherwise, as
believe it is, then he ought not to be
admitting that Mr.. Dillingham; ought
not to be returned, still we are not
proceeding to defeat him in the proper
way. We are pirates upon the sea of
politics and ought to be scuttled and
sunk at sight.
II believe in government by party.
But the purpose of government is to
express the will of the majority, and
when it comes to pass that party gov
eminent no longer does this, then
some other expedient ought to be
resorted to. That is exactly the condi-
ton in Vermont and that is why this
movement exists. I cannot better
state my position than by giving the
figures at the last election in this
state. In round numbers the parties
voted as follows: Republicans $4,000,
Progressives $4,000 and Democrats
Is, 600. The $4,000 were apparently
Tor progress; so were many of the
23, 600. Many insist that majority of
the 23, OOO are progressive or liberal.
l assume, however, that at least II, 900
are reactionary and 1000 liberal.
While the Democratic party contains
many reactlonaries, the majority of
that party are heartily progressive.
II have differed with my Democratic
friends about the tariff, and still differ,
although that party has come over
somewhat to the idea of protection.
But am bound to admit that aside
from the tariff and aside from free
silver. which is no longer an issue, I
have found much more earnest support
for the measures which have advocat-
ed IN that party than in my own. The
law for trade commission, thereby
carrying out the idea which believe
first advocated some years ago. It is
proposing to enact law to regulate
the issue of stocks and bonds by rail.
road companies, which l have earnestly
insisted upon for Is years. 1t is fair
to assume that II, ZOO of the Demo
cratic voters are progressive and but
1000 reactionary. We have therefore
a, 900 voters of liberal or progressive
ideas as against $1,000 reactionary
voters and yet we adhere strictly to
party government: $4,000 reactionary
voters of the Republican party would
seat Mr.. Dillingham; in the senate.
Party machinery instead of carrying
out the will of the people, would i'm
pose the will of 10000 voters upon
$4,000 voters. When the application
of the party whip produces this result
the time has come for some independ
ent action which will enable the will
of the people to prevail. l am told che
course we are adopting will disrupt
the Republican party in Vermont If
that party is hopelessly reactlonary it
ought in my opinion to be disrupted,
the sooner the better. If as believe,
it stands for sane progress, then it
should get rid of that reactiona1y lead
ership which hangs like a milestone
about it's neck and put forward men
of progressive ideas who will properly
represent the party. In the elections
of two years ago this country emphat-
ically repudiated the leadership of men
like Senator Dillingham;. It will never
unfortunate thing that could happen TO
the Republican party as whole would
be to recommit into the hands of these
men the fortunes of that party.
Il believe today as firmly as ever
that protection for American industries
is the only true theory upon which te
conduct our government. Why is il
that you have no tariff today? The
reason is obvious. The tariffs enacted
by both Republicans and Democrats
have been filled with privileges tt
special interests for the reason thai
those interests have been dominant il
the United States senate. The Repub
lican national convention of 1908, feel
) ing that these special interests mus
be eliminated, resolved in favor Of {
revision of the tariff. When Congress
met, the Republican party. under the
leadership of Mr.. Aldrich, redeemed
} that pledge, not by an elimination Of
those privileges, not by a reduction Of
duties, but by an advance. The coun
try in disgust would have nothing Of
it and pulled down in anger the entire
structure. If the senate of the TIniter