News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1914-07-08
Republicans in Conference

mitted and it was voted that the state
get in touch with the town and county
commit tees and report on the same July
14th. 1t was the opinion of those pres.
ent that the people having voted for the
primary it should be given trial and the
party will do all it can to formulate a
plan. Interesting remarks were made
by several and a ringing speech of an in
formal character, yet full of sound judg
ment and common sense, was delivered
by Hon. Joseph A. Deboer. A synopsis
of the address is given herewith =
Mr.. De Boer said in part:
l am here at the invitation of your
chairman and did not expect to speak,
| but absolutely feel disinclined to adopt
any suggested incidental method Of pro-
cedure to make an appeal to the people,
qualified by the suggestion that it shall
be of temporary but not permanent
effect
Our representatives in the legislature
should have adopted the direct primary
law without referring it to voters, but It
was referred to the people and disposed
of by conclusive vote. Some fraction
of the people now propose this self-as-
sumed expedent, which is hazardous, to
say the least, and a most impolitic pro-
cedure. 1t is not necessary for the Re-
publican party to make such an appeal.
l have never been able to discover any
thing essentially different between the
Progressives and our party. The Repub-
lcan party could not have existed fifty
years if it had not the elements of con-
sentative progressivism. The Republ-
can party was in line to effect reform of
the tariff. The recent legislation was not
an accident but natural performance.
the outcome of Republican policies, which
even contemplated the income tax sug
gestion to take care of the deficit in the
revenue.
The Progressive party is an accident of
personality and temporary fever-an APP
peal to the band-stand, and the present
plan is merely desire on our part to
make them be good.
Tim Republican leaders and the state
committee have had their chance and
they have lost it. 1t is now proposed to
take up this temporary scheme and force
it on the people in few weeks and you
are making the experiment all by your
selves. The Democrats and Progressives
have declined tie join you. You may run
the chances. Unless the candidates get
into the game for keeps and get ont an
extremely full vote candidates are liable
to be put through who are not entirely |
of the party, its history |
and great principles.
1t has been said that there is more |
self government in Vermont than any |
other state in the Union, as exemplified |
in the town meeting, but this direct pri |
mary will require self-education before it
can be made successful.
Where is the authority for this plan
under the present political machinery
provided in the statutes?
How big convention are you going to
get under this plan?
/ disregard entirely the Incidental ar
yument that willingness to carry out
.he implied expression of the March
meeting will make you some votes.
The Democrats have not got any posi-
lion to the good, and the Progressive
party should take measures to recover
rom the phthiss from which it is now
(applause).
We Republicans should realize our
'tupendous responsibilities. We should
mind our OWE business, formulate our
,wn platform and select our own men on
he record of the party. We should
erve notice on our opponents that we
ire there (applause).
After the stupendous expression OF the
people in the March meeting for a
primary law-and it was nota small vote;
t was large vote-there was but one
hing to do:- r-5.
A special session of the Legislature of
912 should have been called within four
weeks cloud epplause).
am yet of the opinion that such
Meeting should be called.
Expense What do we care about ex.
'ense if we get what we want And if
We get what we want we're willing to
'ay for it. The matter of expense does
lot affect us.
Is this playing to the bsnd-stand or is {
t plain, 16-sunce common sense?
Why wasn't the will of the people r
arried into effect? Our trustees are
ot keeping faith with the people when
olitics by admixture, politics by COM
are allowed to intervene.
We can trust the people.
l saw by the announcement of candi- s
ate for high office that there must be
drastic curtailment of expense. 1t is ,
asy for such people to talk of curtailing
expenses. What's their program? Where
Tould they begin? What's their plat
Orm and precise plan of curtailment?
The Republican party has nothing to
g ashamed of in any particular. in the
alton or in the state (applause).
A Republican Legislature referred the
rimarY Question to the Deonla in March.