Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1914-10-28
The Progressive Principle and tho Pro-
gressive County Convention.

gressive County Convention.
Mr.. Editor What is the distinctive
principle of the Progressives? What
is the cornerstone of their party |
structure?
That especial Privilege" should not
dictate in governmental affairs.
For years before there was Pro-
gressive party this was the principle
contended for by the leading progress
sives of the nation, and when the Pro-
gressive party was formed that prin-
ciple was accorded first place in the
many articles of the party's political
creed.
several years l have been defeating
the dictation of Especial privilege" in
very practical way, that no expiana-
ton of my intense interest in said par
tvs welfare is necessary and l inquire.
as every citizen ought, whether said
county convention of Oct. LIST, did or
did not act in accord with principle?
What is meant by Especial privi-
lege" as referred to by progressives for
years and referred to in Progressive
platforms?
Every private or business corpora
ton is given by charter from govern
ment special privileges. Government
being the source of such special privi-
leges it is neither becoming nor safe
that such corporations should con-
troll that source, dictate in any way in
matters pertaining to government, nor,
what is the same thing, exercise a
dominant political influence; the aver
age voter has been given no such
Especial privilege" and he has not
been given a sort of Immortality by q
grant of perpetual succession" which
every business corporation has.
So the Progressives say that the big
: issue confronting this county is
: whether these corporations, the crea-
lures of government, shall control
government (the plain tendency for 9
4 generation) or government control
3 them through law; they say that the
n creature shall not control its creator
= they say that these powerful corporate
bodies shall not control the source O.
n their powers.
f But what about said county conven
;. ton? Did the delegates think progress
X sive principles good to apply in Wash
ington and New York should be disre
l. garded in Vermont? Apparently so
W for the very first thing the organized
@ convention did was to pass resolution
q which threw all principles overboar
;. in bid for help by the Democrats
This was to be expected from VIVA
preceded. The delegates upon arriv
g ing in Orleans were very general
70 taken in tow by officers of as snug
~ little special privilege corporation a
y exists in Vermont Another resul
a. was the placing upon their ticket, fo
Id one Of the most important places tn
~ name of man who is president c
~ said corporation and one of the mos
Re pronounced types of representative {
d. special privilege. 1t is ''off the sam
b. piece" that this same man had mad
overtures to pet the same place on II
" Republican county ticket. What doe
e. such man care about the little deta
ut of what party he uses if he can accon
be plish his ends and help dictate stat
~ legislation in the interests of certai
Vi corporations.
Many of the delegates, young fellow
ed inexperienced in such matters, ar
in some older ones, on the spur of tt
ls moment, fell quite easily for the:
schemes, which no doubt not a few
'0e them upon consideration now regret.
ee While bowling about political iniQu
ty ties in Illinois, Pennsylvania and els
ha where at safe distance, to placid
participate in the very same thing
" right here IN Vermont, may be plea
No ant politics for the "Orleans Ring
,r. recently referred to in the Orleal
County press. but the question is thi
an will the real progressives of the count
It shut their eyes and swallow the do
er prepared for them by these politician
III Said convention of Oct. had gre
80 opportunity to advance progressi'
lie principles. Did they do it? The be
an right to rebuke the work of said CO.
.al vention lies, not with the Republican
=, nor with the Democrats. but with tt
~ Progressives themselves. l know
one Progressive who believes tn
'or after election day the (Progressives
er- Orleans county should take stock
Ms their experience. begin over. sta
- right, and stick right to their ov
lo- political business.
" w. R. Aldrich,
ne Attorney at Law, Orleans, VT.
CLn~l> K:l-ex, Tro,,1le nr~a