News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1914-10-07
Mr.. Prouty, Nom Partizan
(From the Rutland Herald. }

In Mr.. Prouty's North Hero speech BIZ
took Vermont into his confidence or APP
proximately so. The fact is that The
candidate of the Camel and Bull Moose
parties seldom commits the indiscretioI
of complete self-revelation. A significant
detail of his speech, however, might es
cape casual scrutiny. He said:-
If a majority of the voters of Vermont
are in fact progressive, in what way car
the return ot Mr.. Dillingham; be defeat.
ed? In what way eau the will of this
progressive majority find expression?
If | desire to become "a candidate against
him, in what manner can | offer myself
so as to unite the support OF men who
are really with me and against him.
/, This is reasonably frank - for Mr..
Prouty. No Principe, not a great pub
lie service inspires him, out merely
how can | beat Dillingham; and get N.Y.
self elected? Candid, but not inspiring.
On the same order is his explanation
of his refusal to enter the Republican
state Convention. ~ must be defeat
ed'', he said, "and could only 90 into the
contest then discredted as a boltor.'
On the same line of reasoning, he went
into the Progressive Convention, not as
matter of principle, but because he
thought he coul win, and into the Dem
ocratic Convention, not because he APP
proved for moment of the Wilson ad-
ministration, but because he thought he
could carry the convention.
Having been defeated in the Demo-
cratic Convention and now heading the
Bull Moose ticket, has he bolted the
Democratic ticket? Ii must be so.
That was also a very naive and ingeni-
Gus explanation of Colby Stoddard.
my friends in Orleans County, declared
this reluctant candidate, mad, without
my knowledge or solicitation, put me
forward as nonpartizan candidate"
Artful Colby Stoddard! Surprised and
gratified Mr.. Prounty! Whereupon a
campaign bureau sprang full-orbed from
that Minerva brain in Orleans, equipped
with letter heads, mimeograph and print
ing press, all deity and impressively
panoplied for war, including fac-simile
autograph rubber stamp for Colby. Sorra
the day that denied us an autographed
miniature of that prone brow and beet
ling Uranium!
Continuing, Mr.. Prouty inferentally
urges the Democrats not TO vote for their
admirable candidate, Mr.. Charles D.
Watson-who, incidentally, knows more
about Vermont and her intimate needs
than Mr.. Prouty probably suspects-lest
that natural party act should result in
Mr.. Dillngham's election.
Tart and fairly presumng, to put it
mildly. Conceive of the wholesale slash
ing OF Democratic ballots that must en-
sue under such tactful appeal.
Let us assemble a few striking SEN
/ have always acted with the Republi-
can party.
| stand upon non-partizan platform
| have been lifelong progressive.
l have been in sympathy with most of
of the measures for which the Demo-
cratic party as stood.
In this contest am soliciting aid from
all parties.
Surely never in the history of Yer
mont politics has such a record breaking
of contradictions been assem-
bled ia one speech.
Vote for me protective tariff Republi-
cans, and | will be your Senator. Vote
for me, free trade Democrats, | will truly
repre- ent YOU IN Congress. Vote for me.
tariff commission Progressives, and l will
be your champion.
Without pursuing further the singular |
of this phenomenon of all /,
speeches, should we not Inquire whether
Mr.. Prouty has any fundamental or seri
Gus platform of principles for which he
stands, or is he merely attempting to be
stride, tor circus-like campaigning pur-
poses, not only the lurching Camel and
oping Bull Moose, but the plodding Ele-
phant and the patient Ass?
This perchance, may he not straddle
put dissection!