The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1914-03-30
SHARP DIFFERENCE
AMONG PROGRESSIVES
Charles H. Thompson, M. L. Aseltine and
E. L. Kelley Are OF the Ex-
cutive Committee

Charles II. Thompson of Montpelier
Progressive party national committee.
man from Vermont, denies that he has
been asked to resign that position, al.
though he was removed with Nj. l.. Asel.
tine of st. Albans and E. l.. Kelley OF
Salisbury from the state executive com.
mittee of the party at the recent meet
ing in Burlington.
Mr.. Thompson made the following
statement yesterday;
"In regard to the rumors concerning
friction in the Progressive party as evi-
denced by articles which appeared in
certain newspapers, | would say that
any statements that there have been
charges against any official of the Pro-
gressive party as to financial diserepan-
cies. are maliciously false. 1t is true
however, that there has been a sharp
difference of opinion between myself and
one member of the state committee on
matters of party policies; these differ
ences of opinion have existed since the
inception of the party two years ago.
1t is also true that ! have held too
many offices in the party and have for
some time urged that | be relieved from
the entire responsibility of every party
move that was made. Therefore, the
action of the state comittee in creating
new executive committee met with my
full approval. NY personal relations
with the New York and Washington of
fees OF the party have not changed and
are as cordial as they have always been.
Mr.. Thompson called attention to the
statement made by Judge E. w. Glib
son of Brattleboro, which follows:
81 was member of committee to
consider certain matters OF difference
for the Progressive state committee.
There was no claim made of any dis
crepancy in the figures of the money
received and of the money paid out from
Progressive headquarters by Mr.. Thomp-
son. For a portion of the time during
Mr.. Thompson's incumbency as chairman
of the executive committee, his accounts
were audited by Mr.. Kelley. the treas
urer. and the balance of the time by Mr..
the auditor. Both Mr.. Sumner
and Mr.. Kelley reported that they knew
of no discrepancies in Mr.. Thompson's
accounts.
ut is true that some differences have
arisen between certain Progressive lead
ers and it was thought best by the COM
mittee to keep clear of any such en-
Everyone interested agreed
that this was the only and just course
to pursue. The action taken by the
state committee completely cleared the
atmosphere.
''Mr. Thompson is not and has never
been a member of the state committee.
II was not therefore expected of him
to attend the Burlington meeting. Look
ing TO a reorganization of the party ma
chinery, all standing committees were
abolished at a former meeting of the
state committee. This included the ex-
ecutive committee, of which Mr.. ThOmp-
son was chairman. The matters Of diff
ference referred TO are due, in no small
degree. TO outsiders. who have consist
entity labored to iniure the Progressive
party. Their efforts are doomed TO fail
ure."
The new executive committee are: DIR.
H. Nelson jackson of Burlington. DIR. w.
J. Aldrich of st. Johnsbury, w. III. Mich
ols of Bennington E. w. Gibson of Brat
tleboro. NJ. NJ. Wilson of Randolph.
The old committee we're: c. II. Thomp
son Of Montpelier, NJ. I. AseltiRe of st.
Albans, DIR. II. Nelson Jackson of Bur
Iington. +. L. Kelley of Salisbury, NJ. NJ.
Wilson of Randolph.