Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1919-12-04
vERMONTS DELEGATION


eight alternates in the next republican
national convention. That will give Yer
monts fourteen counties each a repre-
sentative with two to spare. It will also
provide fifteen places to pass around"
In accordance with the good or other
wise old Vermont custom and leave one
place Of the sixteen to be filled by the
selection of some one man especially for
the good he can do the State and not on
the basis Of what the State can do for
the man.
We have taken the position that at
least one place out Of the sixteen on the
Vermont delegation should be filled by a
man having wide acquaintance with the
public men of other States who will rep
resent those States in the national con-
vention. IT is significant that New York
is now proposing to send to the national
convention both its United States sena-
tors, Calder and Wadsworth. as we'll as
various members Of Congress. Massa-
chusetts will send. Senator Lodge. former
Senator w. Murray Crane. Governor
Coolidge and other men Of wide national
acquaintance. Pennsylvania will send
Penrose and other national legislators.
Other States will follow the example Of
the great commemorative named.
Let us suppose now that Vermont were
to send to the republican national con-
vention sixteen of our very foremost
citizens outside Of national public life, as
has been proposed, but having little II
any acquaintance with such men as we
have named from other States. Would
not the leading men from other States
in the convention have a right to say we
were narrow and provincial in neglect
ing to send any member Of our delega-
ton in Congress because all those men
our delegation in the innermost councils
of the convention accordingly? Would
we not on the very face Of things DEM
onstrate our willingness to deprive our
selves Of the distinct service men of
wide acquaintance in Washington could
do for us in order to pass around po-
litical honors among mon at home to
give them the benefit Of the experience?
The republican leaders in Congress do
not go about their campaigns on the
pass around" plan. They select men,
bers for congressional campaign COM
mittee that can do the most effective
work. They selected Congressman
Greene from Vermont for that work. We
are willing to abide by their Judgment as
to men, although the arguments we are
advancing would apply to a certain de-
gree to Senator's Dillingham; and Page
and Congressman Dale. 1t would be the
height Of stupidity to neglect to avail
ourselves in the next national council OF
the Republican party Of the ability and
wide acquaintance Of at least one men,
Der of our congressional delegation. In
this connection the Brattleboro Re-
former, after outlining our position.
says
"These points seem TO be well taken.
That Congressman Greene has national
influence in republican political circles
is shown by his choice as member of the
House congressional campaign commit
tee. body that has much to do with
fixing the party policies. No other Yer
monter enjoys such recognition to-day
and this fact specially fits Congressman
Greene for the position Of head Of the
| Vermont delegation. 1t will not be sur
prising II the rank and file of the party
in Vermont insists on Congressman
Greene's serving his State in this posi-
| ton.
Then let the republicans choose seven
other able and representative men who
have shown political ability and service
for the remaining delegates and eight
more good men for alternates: and the
State will have the best and most val.
der the leadership of Congressman
| Greene such a delegation should bring
honor to Vermont and aid the Republi
can party in getting started right for 9
sweeping victory in 1920"
The very fact that Congressman
Greene is inclined to be considerate OF
others and to be modest should
| count in his favor with al
right-thinking men instead of against
him. 1t is refreshing once in a grea
here in Vermont without any wigglinf
on his part to get where the politica
lightning may strike. Let us insist II
I at least one case In Vermont's nationa
delegation that the man be selected fol
the office for the work he can do ant
that the Office 10 not necessarily mad,
for the man.
| pRnOE pnCITIVL