The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1916-10-19
Declines to Certify to I'm
truth for Record in
Clerks Office
CHARGES FACTION
WITH TREACHERY
Says He Has Never Indicated objec-
tion to Name of Mr. Riley-For Years
Two or Three Have Nominated JUS
tices, He Says.

Editor of The Reformer:
1t Is still the province of newspaper to
give the news and the truth about it.
Your teapot tempest headline conveys
an erroneous impression to the voters os
the town of Brattleboro.
u No Democratic caucus was held on
September 90.
~ No second Democratic caucus has
been called because objection was made
to the action of the first
t3) No Democratic caucus was held be-
ore or since September % for the norpi-
nation of a justice ticket This applies to
the Democratic as well as the Republican
party of Brattleboro.
~ The reason that caucus is called
for tonight is because of an attempt to
make me, as chairman of the Democratic
town committee, swear, on oath. that a
Democratic caucus was held on Septem-
Der %, this sworn certificate to be placed
on record in the town clerks office.
t5) Because | declined to make oath to
an untruth a Democratic caucus is called
for this evening
(6) | have never indicated to Mr.. Har-
old Z. Whitney, or any other person, my
objection to the name OF Mr.. Riley on
the justice ticket; but I did indicate to
Mr.. Whitnes that l would not take ac-
tion that would incriminate myself, hence
four of the five Democratic town commit
teeman acquiesce in this call
For several years past two or three ndi-
viduals have nominated the town Justice
ticket, making the selection of such jus
tees conform to their own wishes The
law office furnished the inspiration and the
undertakers S establishment acquiesced in
the unjust and unparliamentary arrange
ment regardless of the wishes of two
thousand freemen who had no voice in
their lawful right of choice.
Something of the measure of fairness
which actuates local politicians is shown
by partisan acts of irregularity and un-
fairness. In the presidential election of
1912 the towns vote was cast 628 for
Taft, 435 for Wilson, 566 for Roosevelt
With this division of sentiment, it was
suggested two years ago (l9l4) that an
equal representation upon the Justice
ticket be accorded each party The eau
cuses were held on the same evening Zoe
tober 49, the Progressives meeting in
Festival hall, the Democrats in Grand
Army hall, and the Republicans in the
ence committee to seek agreement upon
union justice ticket The Progressive
were represented by Or. Thomas Rice. J
G. Stafford and H W. Simonds; the Dem
oerats by Hugh H. Dunklee, A. F. Rob
erts, r. S Childs, f. H. Davenport and
". j. Moran The Republican conferees
were F. +. Barber, F. A. Betterly and r.
c. Bacon. While the Democratic con-
ferees cheerfully acquiesced in the union
program allowing the Progressives an equal
number (5l of the justices, the Republi-
can conferces would concede only two,
but, subsequently, after protesting acqui>
escence IN a union ticket, recanted and
ignored the Progressives. The Democrats
and Progressives certified the union ticket
giving each party five of the nominees.
The two organizations were sufficiently
strong to elect the union ticket on the ba-
SIS o, the presidential vote (l,00l to 62Si
and would have done so but for the
treachery of a faction of alleged Demo
Gratis who have ever been responsive to the
call of the Republican machine to assist
its schemes to full fruition.
In late September of this year these
schemers put forth a justice ticket of the
stand pat Republican order, not a man
who was identified with the Progressive
cause OF 1912 appearing thereon He may
vote the regular party ticket this year,
but there is no room for him in the Re
publican official iitney
While | have no special objection to
the Republican program | decline to GER
tify to an untruth for record in the town
clerks office, as no Democratic caucus was
held on the 29th of September or any pre-
vious or subsequent day. for the nomina
tion OF justice ticket. A Democratic
caucus will be held for regularitys sake
and in the interest of honesty and not in
approval Of the snap action SO common
in local ring politics.
ROLLIN S CHILDS.
Brattleboro, Oct 10, 1916