The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1917-02-05
Stabbing Fair Play in the Back.
burlington Free Press.)

burlington fG1t lTcS5.J
All honor to the one hundred and ]
seventy-one representatives in the
house at Montpelier, Republicans and
Democrats alike, who refused to repu-
date the pledges through their respec-
tive party platforms they themselves
helped TO make, assuring a fair
trial" for the principle of direct
nominations in Vermont. Some of their
number doubtless disagree with some
of the features of the present direct
primary but they kept the faith and
indicated party government as
Lrinciple. No new law we ever heard
of was found perfect as first adopted. I
Minor details might need to be changed !
although the principle underlying the
system stood So with the idea of Civ
lug every voter in Vermont an oppor-
tunitv to help name candidates for
public office our lawmakers as whole
would keep faith with the people.
! ! fair trial. was promised but
/ without a party promise by every par
tv under the green hills of Vermont
\ the direct nomination principle could
not decentlv be refused a fair trial
under al the circumstances.
Tn proposition had twice been re
ferred to the voters of the state in a
referendum, and each time it had been
-. endorsed.
The first referendum was had under
the most mfayorablc conditions posi-
BILE or the direct nomination principle.
The various alternatives were 50
stated. it will be recalled, that there
were several chances against every one
in favor of the idea. Yet the dire
primary won handsomely over the old
caucus system and the preferential pri-
mary and all other ideas and chances
contained in the double back action
: referendum.
When the present system of direct pri
:, marias was formulated, i was sub
mitted to the people. grudginglv by 1t
opponents, but again it received sub
stantial endorsement by the voters II
= the second referendum.
The project to defeat direct govern
ment by the people of Vermont ha'
now received a third walloping, thi
time in the legislature, and that shoul,
II end bungling.
\ few misguided souls, whose con
W. sciences must be in their stomachs, ar
II said TO be determined to give voice t
D. their idea Of q - fair trial by loadin
ar up the direct nomination system wit
new-fanglcd ideas and again fOrcin
the peopl, to 60 to the trouble and eN
peusc of adopting the idea for thir
a time
IN \ man whose idea OF fair play
for individual or principle thus find
. expression will bear watching.
a If lawmaksr viii openly repudiat
Il his own work and the pledged word c
4 his party. frequently reiterated in
campaign, and in addition try to Il,
feat the viii of the voters by sue
chcanery as that proposed, his COZ
stituents should hesitate again to el
st trust him with the duty and respons
=, hility Of holding public Office. He ca
L." not be trusted to Keep faith with I'll
ri voters.
re 1t is not surprising that those WI
80 like to manipulate nominations Il
. their own benefit or that of the
* friends are opposed to voters as
IN whole having chance TO take part
naming candidates for office.
This same reactionarv spirit tried
defeat the adoption of the Australia
lN ballot in Vermont, but no one wOu
a dream now of trying to restore old co
- ditions, when an employer could intim
IN date an employe at the polls, or
w. yenal candidate could stand over a pu
ANN chasable voter and see that he deli
cred the goods. The secret ballot hi
It done wonders for self government
ht Vermont. If now we can have re
lot sonable chance for all voters, inste;
tie of little clique, to learn to NAL
nominations, it will be another Vi
tory for real government by the Poop
in the Green Mountain State.
The Meanwhile keep your eye on the m;
zen or men who try to skulk and dodge
.as party pledge under the proposition
gain another chance to defeat the
" rect nomination system under the gui
not of n third referendum.
ing a "fair trial" was pledged the
all rect nomination principle. If we C
not all be good sports when we G
not have our own way, and are beat
eat let US at least try to be honest.