The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1916-07-24
CONCERNING THE
MOUNTAIN RULE

The Mistakes Of Moses were made into clas
Sic but the mistakes Of Senator Pages l-advised
friends will make whole library before the cam
paign Is over.
Alta meeting of the Greater Vermont Associa-
ton in Montpelier, held July 18th, 1916, former
Governor Edward Curtis Smith of St. Adams was
guest OF honor and one of the principal speakers.
After attacking the legislatures responsible for
increasing railway taxes. and tor other constructive
legislation, Gov. Smith made direct attack on Allen
M. Fletcher lie also made some drastic remarks
regarding the mountain rule. Ex-Governor Imith
said
This proposition native sons for Vermont Offices in
wolves another We told that the mountain rule in our
state politics obsolete and of date. and that should be
aooished. am wondering whether this suggestion is
prompted by knowledge of the true situation in Vermont
and based sincere honest desire to benefit its best
interests or whether prompted by the exgencies of iu-
dvidual interests? Whatever the motive it is high time III.
the people of this should stick their cells in the soil of
our green bills and call halt the question until can be
decided by ourselves and for ourselves and after mature con-
sheraton
Ex-Governor Smith is also proprietor Of the St.
Aloans Messenger. In an editorial under date of
NOV. II, 1908, when he had no candidate for any
state Office. Gov. Smiths newspaper had the follow
Ing under the head Of Estate and Politics.
The Barton Monitor remarks:
Aer all Vermont better off because of its
Certainly not The state would be far every
respect were the Two great parties evenly balanced
~ Incidentally such condition would do awav with the
mGansan rule which stands high in the list things
h''e and cheapen our politics. Huntington News
Glory o'! Let the good work go on. Spread the
gospel OF comm IN snse view of practical politics that
means practical busnesske government and the re,z,
ton of ,heNew Vermont
The mountain rule was not made 10 the interest of III.
people but the interest of the politicians is merely the
device by which the po cians divide the spols You run
on your side OF the state this year and will let YOU alone
Next time and you keep hands off Scratch nv back
and will scratch yours
What's the result? Each succeeding two wear, the
people nave to elect governor from the whole state
out from small section of it, matter whether the mao
hy want or the man they ought have is ia there or not
man literally rip: for the place is Just across the
line ana MS opportunity the people and the state
never would be m Ore poptious But the mountain rule has
es.ao'n-o dead line for more than good mans amb
hon ana the opportunity him perhaps never 10
come aRau Thea the st re lost good governor and took
man VIII ose turn it was
:. In an extract from an editorial in the,St Abans
messenger OF July l6 1908 which referred primarily
to The promotion OF the lieutenant governor to be
governor and entitled 9TH, Non promotion Buoa.
boo, the following appears:
................The Messenger believes that good
MN and an av abae deserving should be taxed up
as Candidate expediea time wherever he NAV be- so
far as geographical situation ia state is concerned or
Whatever state office he have id or be holding SO far
as the non-promoton ide, is conce,. ed ........."
Was Governor Smith sincere in leoa.
when he advocated the smashing of the noun
tain rule, Or in 1916, when he wants it per-
petuated?
And isn't it now time to smash the noun
tain rule?
WILL SENATOR PAGE ANSWER {?
, Thousands of people in Vermont desire to know what
rdge has stood for and what he has created 10 the
way OF constructive legislation during his eight years service
Senator Page what constructive measure
nave you proposed, stood behind and pushed
20 successful issue?
The Allen NJ. Fletcher Senatorial Club
NORTHFIELD. VT.
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lots A. d HERBS as s.ssS@" :"