St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1914-09-23
PRoGREssIvEs PLANNED TRADE

PROGRESSIVES PLANNED TRADE
G. I'll. Thompson Throws Light On
Their Convention Proceedings.
Editor Of the Caledonian;
Gentlemen
Members of the republican press
who are inclined to support Mr..
Gates republican, and Mr.. Prouty
(party designation unknown) have
made quite a little comment on the
interference of the so-called Dilling-
ham machine, with the modus Oper-
andi, of the recent republican state
convention. The writer being a mem
Der of the national progressive party,
knows nothing of this, except through
the above named sources, but if all
that has been stated could be SUBJ
Stimulated by the facts, as thew &C
tually occurred, this move on the part
of the Dillingham; supporters, was
clearly eclipsed by the Prouty sup
porters, at the recent state conven-
ton of the progressive party, where
they planned and intended to nomi-
nate an entire ticket made up of men,
who were pledged to withdraw if
necessary, in order that the state
committee, who were to be authOriZ-
ed to fill all vacancies, might trade
either with the republican or demo-
cratic parties, and ill in accordingly
as the trades might be accomplished.
This plan was openly talked before
and during the convention, and the
plan was frustrated by the introduce
ton of an amendment to the resolu-
ton, by member of the Washington
county delegation, that all vacancies
should be filled by the state commit
tee, from members of the progressive
party. This amendment ably second
ed by John Stetson of Springfield,
prevailed, and thus another we'll
planned political coup passed into
oblivion. 1t may be of interest how
ever to the voters of the Second Con-
gressional district, and Washington
county, that this trading basis of
nominees must have met the approval
of the present progressive party nom
inee for congress from the Second
district, Fraser Metzger, who sat in
all the private pre-convention coun-
ellis. Mr.. Metzger nominated Mr.. |
PrOuty and in return received the !
support of the Prouty delegates for |
the congressional nomination. 1t is
also worthy of passing commons that |
Mr.. MetZger was nominated in a |
speech which gave him full and COM |
plete credit for the recent campaign |
in 1912, all other men both in the |
tate and out, who assisted or thought !
they did in that campaign, it now ap-
pears had nothing actually to do with |
rolling up a vote of 10000 votes, in |
a six weeks campaign for the pro-
gressive party ticket in Vermont.
Obviously several of US are re-
lieved from much hard work in the
coming campaign, as the candidate
is evidently well able to elect him
self. The writer notified the pro-
gressive party through the courtesy
Of the press some days ago that he
would not support a republican nomi-
mated on the progressive party ticket,
or progressive in favor of amalga-
nation in any form, therefore he also
is excused from supporting Mr.. Metz
ger in the coming campaign, as Mr..
Metzger in his Brattleboro speech, +
and in nominating Mr.. Prouty has
clearly declared for amalgamation,
in the writer's opinion.
Yours very truly,
CHARLES H. THOMPSON.
o.t R ETAOIN SHRDLU CMYPYW