Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1916-08-24
WHAT OUR NE|GHB0RS SAY
Rutland County Contemporary Says
Politics Must BE Kept Out of
Extra Session.
(From the Rutland Herald)

(FrOm the Rutland HerdlO.D
When Governor Gates first ANNOUNCE
ed that he intended to call a special
session of the Legislature to provide
state pay for the Vermont guardsmen
at the Mexican border. The Herald
urged that it be done without delay.
Then came the alleged offer of an
ex-governor to advance the necessary |
funds, followed by the statement that
the matter would be cared for by
volunteer committee. selected by Gov
ernor Gates and including some OF the
prominent men of the State. Now
comes the statement that the volun-
teer organization has asked the Gov
ernor to call a special session. fearing
| that the cost would be too great for
| private responsibility.
/ This makes very curious situation
especially when one considers the
| character of the men comprising the
organization. According to the st. AL
bans Messenger, they were as follows;
Gov. Charles w. Gates, Frank NJ
I Wilson of Rutland. Prof. NJ. r. Roberts
of Northfeld. Edmund Deschenes of ST.
Adams. NJ. ID. Walker of Northfeld
Judge Henry G. Conln of Winooski. C.
A. Davis, of Newport. Col. John f. Pid-
dock. of Bellows Falls. II. G. Cady of
Mortified. George f. Leland of
Springfield, c. l.. Woodbury. of Bur
lngton. Frank H. Brooks of St Johns
bury and DR.. Guy Potter Benton Of
Burlington, Adjt-Gen. Lee S. Tilotson
and John T. Cushing of st. Adams.
The Messenger announces further
that the committee would proceed
with temporary relief to the amount of
$500, but that the larger demands of
islature.
, The Herald believes that an organi-
zation headed by the governor of this
state could borrow 10000 or $4,000,
or $4,000, and that any Legislature
that could be elected would immedi-
ately reimburse him and his assoc
ciates. There is hardly room for doubt
on this point the question immedi-
= ately suggests itself-why the special
session?
5 There are not wanting plenty of men
. so devoid of human kindness rs to
suggest that there is politics in it, The
[ Herald itself has declared that any
such special session would be called
1 for political purposes, and certainly no
. more opportune time could be select
Y ed for furthering political ambition
n than the present.
The candidacy of Governor Gates
t hardly made a splash in the political
,, pond Senator Pages campaign has
r come to an impasse Mr.. Fletcher
$ canvass seems to have acquired in
= crcasing vitality, but who would most
@ benefit by the assembly Of the Legis'
= lature in special session?
| The question is being asked by hun
= dreds of Vermonters to-day and thu
V logic of the answer is inevitable. Who
= would gain so much in prestige ant
2 personal contact as the executive wh'
= calls a Legislature into extraordinary
= session.
: Governor Gates. The Herald has
high regard for your personal charac
S ter and your honesty as a public Off
Ger, but it would be less than a public
journal if it failed to suggest the alb
solute necessity of keeping polite
out of the extraordinary session ant
the extraordinary session out of poll
'e tics.
o Even your friends. Governor, hav
"hoped" that nothing but the plain
simple duty of passing an appropria
l. ton for the relief of the guardsme
ID on the border would pertain to tn
special session.
r. special session is exactly what 70
lie need to stimulate your senatorial cam
ls paign. Are we to understand that sue
an obvious motive was a part of you
plan?
is VIII you. Governor Gates pledG
r. yourself to veto any legislation othe
e. than the necessary appropriations"
viii you pledge your word to tn
people of Vermont that the time of III
re Legislature will be devoted solely an
rl simply to that purpose?
Will you undertake to guarante
that the session will be limited to tw
~ days. as suggested?
70 Naturally. one must concede tina
N the Governor cannot prevent any Leg
islature. when convened, from trans
acting any business it sees fit, but ma
90 we be assured that your voice and in
- flucnce will be placed upon the side {
=, a brief. business-like session. withor
regard for politics or special interest
The Herald believes that the peopl
of Vermont have a right to these as
suranCes, Governor atites.