The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1914-07-02
DILLINGHAM ATTACKED BY
PROUTY
Calls the Vermont Senator Out OF
Harmony. He Himself Can't
BE Active Candidate

following letter from Hon. c. A
Prouty:
Washington, June "a.
mon Partisan Prouty Club, Orleans
VI.
Gentlemen: ! am in receipt Of q
letter from you stating that reports
are being circulated in the press and
by individuals that | have declared ir
writing and personally that ! did not
desire the position of United States
senator, that ! did not welcome sup
port to that end and would not serve
| if elected. You ask me if these state
ments are true.
"They are not. The only political
office within the gift of the people Of
my native state which | have ever de-
sired is that of United States senator;
and personally an election to that posi-
tion would be most gratifying. ! deep
ly appreciate the efforts of your men,
bers and my other friends in my be-
half, all the more because they have
not been solicited. If chosen ! should
be glad to serve to the best of my
ability. But | simply feel that ] can
not, at the present time, undertake an
active campaign, and that ! ought not
therefore to solicit the votes of my
fellow citizens. That is what l at
tempted to say from the first, but my
meaning seems to have been misun-
derstood in certain quarters. In view
of what you have have done and Of
the situation which has developed it is
perhaps due to you and my other
friends in Vermont that should state
somewhat more fully my position on
this subject.
For personal reasons dislike to op-
pose Senator Dillingham;; but there are
certain facts which cannot be ignored.
Throughout his senatorial career Mr..
Dillingham; has consistently and per-
sistently, and without doubt honestly,
since his sympathies all lie in that di-
rection, acted with that coterie of
senators who have been known as the
champions of special interests. These
men were the body guard of Senator
Aldrich when he was the leader of the
United States Senate, and they were
generally against all propositions for
reform which we're supposed to unfav-
orably affect the interests which they
stood to protect. The measures of
railroad regulation, for example,
which | have advocated and about
which especially know, were bitter
ly opposed by all these men until fur
ther opposition would have been poll
teal suicide.
"These measures were not radi-
cal. Now that they are the law, rail
road men themselves concede their
necessity. If submitted to the voters
of Vermont to-day they would be ap-
proved by nine-tenths. 1t is signif-
cant that the one-tenth which would
not approve them are solidly behind
Mr.. Dillingham;. Some of them were
for me in 1900, but they are all
against me to-day.
IF Mr.. Dillingham; were solitary
instance, it might be well enough to
overlook it, but there is an apparent
in many quarters to con-
tinue in authority and even to rein
state these men whom the country has
so emphatically repudiated. Just how
the Republican party can be expected
at this juncture to regain and retain
the confidence of this country if such
men are to be put forward as its lead
ers passes my comprehension. As well
put forward Lorimer himself. Nor
can quite see how the State of Yer
mont can hope to keep the prestige
which has so long enjoyed in the
Senate if it sends there men who,
whatever their ability or personal at |
are utterly out of sympathy
with the spirit of the age. At any
rate party so administrated can be
IF no service to those who believe as |
do.
"The very limited knowledge which |
have Of the political situation in
Vermont leads me TO believe that the
iefeat Of Mr.. Dillingham; can only be
by an Independent move
nent to which the liberal and progress
i've elements Of all parties must con-
ribute. The elimination of the Pro-
gressiye party from the Republican
,arty Of Vermont leaves the reaction
Iry element in hopeless control of the
after party. While there are very
many who feel as ! do, il would be
oily to undertake a contest in that
'arty. 1t is only by bringing together
he liberals and all parties that any
hing can be done.
IF there is to-day room for such a :
Movement in Vermont, If your organi-
alton is adequate for that purpose
nd If you can use candidate who
an do 50 little for himself, / would