The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1916-08-14
LETTERS TO THE
EDITOR
GATES FOR SENATOR.
Gives Reasons for Supporting the Can
didacy of Charles w Gates.

Editor Times; During the spring OF 1914
as chairman OF the Republican state
committee, many questions OF Importance
each having a direct bearing on the wei.
fare OF Vermont, came 10 my attention
Among these, the most pressing ques.
tion seemed TO center around the selec-
tion by the party Of man, who, BY his
: ability and integrity IN public and pri.
yate life could hope to reunite the Re.
publican party OF Vermont, who, br his
familiarity with affairs and his known
: devotion to ideals OF good government
could weld the major party of the state
, into cohesive, more efficient unit; and
who, by the confidence reposed in him,
could readily undertake the responsible
ties deyolying upon the chief executive
OF Vermont, if nominated and elected by
that party
A fair and earnest inquiry developed
the information that Charles W Gates
Of Franklin, man honored by his ma.
tive town and home county, as well as
by the state, vas the natural choice OF
large majority OF people, regardless Of
! political affiliation. At that time AIr
Gates mas been for ten years at the head
of Nermont's highway system. He was
widely acquainted and people said OF
him; Charles w. Gates has never
asked for political office or position He
has never used money as political lever
to gain a desired end He has always
treated those with whom he had deal
! ings, public or private, as he would de
sire to be treated by them
After the concensus OF public opinion
so shaped itself as to preclude the pos
sibility OF a doubt as TO whether he
was a popular candidate, the question
arose as to how his sanction for the use
of his name as candidate couid be
obtained.
This problem eventually solved itself
when large number 81 people from
all parts OF the state personally request
ed Mr. Gates to become a gubernatoral
candidate Several weeks elapsed while !
this work was being carried Through to
its logical conclusion, with the result |
that Mr., Gates found himself besiegcd /
on all side with offers OF support His I
reply to this spontaneous demand has
not been forgotten:
IF nominated, / hardly see how l +
could refuse to accept Who can say /
that this modest reply was not charac-
teristic of the man?
Gov Gates has the ability to Judge
men and to sense their hidden desires
and intentions in marked degree It'll
is a gift that has enabled him TO avoid
the pitfalls prepared by those who
sought his downfall As the governor OF
Vermont, his peculiar insight has assist
Cd him, IS
measures Ii has stood him in good +
stead whenever it has become his duty
to decide matters Of more than passing
moment and invariably the public has
accepted as just and righteous his de-
cisions in matters where sound judy
ment was the prime essential.
Throughout his public career has he |
ever committed serious error2 Does
analysis of his record in public office
expose him to that harsh measure Of /
that the people seldom level
at an official without substantial rea !
SOM | think not
At this time Gov. Gates asks for our {
support as a candidate for the United !
States Senate. ! am thoroughly con
vinced that he deserves it. | believe he {
will deliver to the state OF Vermont, a. {
United States senator. a larger measure
If real service than falls to the lot Of {
most men to give If elected he viii
assume his duties with clean record !
'ecord of continuous achievement and, t
Is have previously stated, without
erious error in Judgment d
Many have said that Gov Gates should
ave announced his candidacy earlier. 1t q
5 an open secret that his friends desired
hat he make an early announcement I
And what was one of his reasons for .
lelay2 Here is what he told me: III /
we're ever 50 DESTROYS of being a United y
states senator, would not make an an u
prior to a meeting Of the Z
ireater Vermont association I would
efer il until after that gathering. even g
'hough ] were convinced that DELAY 7
would mean defeat. In my official ca p
acity ! shall be present a the Greater
ermont assembly. but ] viii not be a :
srty to making it a political meeting"
May ] submit the question fairly and
onestly: Is not a man Of this calibre.
candidate who modcstly refuses TO L
make capital OF a shining record OF work "
erformed j. not this man big enough 10
old any office within the gift Of the peo- =
Vermont? le'
y d. Phelps ics