The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1914-07-21
The Free Press View

The esteemed Bennington Banner
in an article quoted elsewhere in
these columns wades through wild
erness of words supposed to be relat-
ed to the subject of the direct prim-
airy and extra session problems III
an effort to show that the Free Press
never takes decided stand on any
question, and yet it complains be-
cause we oppose an extra session Of
the Legislature without any assur-
ance from the Legislators what sort
of a measure we are to haye-a pos
ition which will strike the average
reader as amusingly inconsistent
If we believed funny things we're
germane to the discussion, we might
refer to the coquetting of the Banner
with the Vermont Progressives in 1912
but whatever may be the sins OF the
Free Press or whatever may be the
weaknesses o. idiosyncrases of the
Banne'. they do not affect the merits
of primary plans os the wisdom Of an
extra session of the Legislature.
The Free Press knows precisely in
whose interests ii is seeking to
pull extra session chestnuts out OF
the legislature fire. 1t is in the in
est of the taxpayers on one hand
and fair deal for the direct nomin-
alton cause on the other. The pres
ent Legislature had abundant oppor-
tunity to redeem the campaign pledg
es of three political parties as to dir
ect primaries. aud since the control
ling spirits of the body remain un-
changed and are inclined to play pol
itics we believe there would be little
prospect Of the passage OF a genuine
direct nomination law even il it were
called together for this express pur-
pose. since the obligation upon it is
less than before, while the temptation
to diseredit direc. primaries is strong
er than ever.
Under these 'oumstances we take
a determined stand. despite the strab
ima.ic view of the Banner, in oppos-
ition to an extra session OF the Legs
lature for the passage of a direct pri-
mary law. unless the taxpayers can
be assured in advance they will get
the wocth of their money. in the
shape OF direc primary measure
carefully formulated and published
broadcast through the press so the
people may read it Thoroughly. to the
passage OF which, if satisfactory. the
Legislature shall give its pledge.
On the quie. we do not mind say
ing that some men are urging an eN-
ira session for political and personal
reasons. They have stated that they
did not want to be candidates for the
goyernorship or for Congress unless
view OF the way convention pledges
have been violated and disc edited
here in Vermont they can not be
blamed for holding that position. But
tho taxpayers should not foot the
campaign bills Of candidates in this
shape.
Governor Fletcher would be Justly
condemned by the taxpayers were he
to call an extra session of the very
Legislature which repudiated the
pledges Of at least three political par
ties with reference to direct nomina-
tions. without the formulation of
specific direc. primary law to the
passage of which the Legislature
should be so pledged.
We believe the Banner viii find
the great majority of the taxpayers
of Vermont holding this opinion in
effect. unless perchance they are OBJ
posed to an extra session whether
or no. as is the case with not a few
voters. some of whom hold an extra
session would kill the Republican
party.
The Banner wanders in still anoth
er iii 'ection from the primary point
under discussion to say the Free
Press has printed columns Of vague
warnings of some impending danger
from the interests" The Banner. il
We remember co recily. held that the
warnings of the Free Press were
vague" when the New Haven was
trying to get its clutches on Vermont
as well as the rest of New England:
yet New Haven Developments have
fully indicated our warnings.
We are now showing that the Anne
.can Express company and allied in
terests are seeking to undermine Yer
mont's regulation and taxation OF pub
lie service corporations. yet the Ban