The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1916-10-11
LETTERS TO THE
EDITOR
The Republican Party Platform-Does 1t
Mean Anything?

Editor of The Times
The st. Adams Messenger asks edito
rally after quoting the national Repub
lican platform" Where does that leave
the Republican party in Vermont on the
suffrage question issuez Has il given its
pledge through the national platform to
the passage OF a suffrage bill in the com
ing legislaturef" 1t certainly has.
When men of prominence in this coun-
try and in Congress asked to have the
suffrage plank in the national platform
interpreted, Senator Sutherland, one of
the greatest authorities on the constitu.
tion in Congress. said "The Chicago
1 platform adopted by the Republican
party definitely commits that party TO
the extension of the right of suffrage to
women" Senator Borah declares, "The
suffrage plank Of the Republican plat
form is an unqualified endorsement of
woman suffrage and favors il as matter
OF justice This is not subject to pos
sble ambiguity"
For the first time in history, the can
tdidate OF one OF the great political par
ties for president-Mr Charles f. Hughes,
is on record as favoring immediate fed
eral and state action for enfranchising
women. Mr.. Hughes is recognized as one
Of the most brilliant legal lights in this
country, and he says-"I endorse the
declaration in the platform in favor of
woman suffrage. Opposition may delay,
but in my judgment cannot defeat the
movement, nor can | see any advantages
in the delay which can possibly Offset
its disadvantages. facts should be
squarely met and the subject removed
from political discussion" Mr.. Hughes
sees in this plank nothing to hinder
hearty cooperation and complete unity,
as women voters are not an untried cx-
pertinent but tested fact in ~ of our
states Where women have been voting
for periods of from five to 80 years no
disaster has come to pass as a conse |
quence and this fact should speak for it |
self
Mr. George A. Shaw OF Cleveland O.,
one of the Republican candidates for
governor, has well said 1t is unfair to
let one taxpayer vote and not let another
taxpayer vote"
Governor NJ. Alexander says woman's
suffrage in Idaho is looked upon as an in
herent right. 1t is accepted by both
sexes as one of the fundamental prin
ciples of government. 1t has elevated
civic pride, cleansed the body polite, ele-
waited mems opinion OF women. multiplied
sanctifed happy homes and
created general condition of content
ment and prosperity as probably moth
ing else could accomplish. Idaho has
worked out this problem in its own way
and will never depart therefrom. This
endorsement should have weight with
honest, well meaning citizens.
The Rutland Herald admits that the
Republican party OF this state has en-
lorsed the 30 articles in the national !
platform, but believes that the Republi
an party of Vermont has only "form
Illy" placed itself on record in behalf OF
he principle of equal suffrage and is not
'ledged to carry it into instant and inn
Mediate effect.
The Burlington News Cannot believe
hat so many massive minds at the con-
ention could have made the fatal error
/ pledging themselves to anything spe :
ific" and suggests that the only safe"
ray is to have nothing to do with the
uffrage plank.
Why single out this plank as a target?
t one is to be ignored, why not throw
ut every other issue and so establish
inform manner of treating party
lodges? Were they created solely as
to catch flies" or non-suspect
~ and well meaning votes? Were they
with the deliberate intention
t eyading or ignoring everything speciti-
ally mentioned or given blanket en-
orsement in the platform! Are we to
lfer that planks say little and mean
IS or nothing at all Just what is the
urpose of a platform, would thus seem
, be very proper question for the st.
lbans Messenger to ask
Presidential Candidate Hughes has al
'ady answered this question. He says
4 party platform would seem to be
finite pledge. a practical program, and
desire TO honestly interpret its spirit
nd meaning"
II would seem that the Bennington
amer Immediately and correctely inter
-eted the Vermont Republican plank by
heading reaching across the sheet thus
The Republicans of Vermont in Con-
'ntion Assembled Have Finally Swal
wed the Whole Woman Suffrage De-
ands. Greetings. Sisters
The ,uffragists OF this state, both men
ID women. certainly construe the Re
lblican national and state platforms as
lorsing suffrage for women, and they
Ok to this party TO redeem their pledge
rev can thus place Themselves on record m
r all time as being honest and trust "
irthy in their position. If they do this fr
will rebound to their eternal credit. DC