The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1920-03-08
HON. F. H. BABBITT
TAKES WET SIDE
IN HIS PLATFORM
Says Citizens Have Right to
Vote on Constitution Changes
DIsLIKEs vOLsTEAD LAW
Platform Strong on Road
Issue and Urges Many Things
of State Value

Frederick II. BaDbitt candidate for
governor has today issued his cam
paign platform. The Introductory
statement and platform are as fol-
lows:
In presenting Platform on which
to make campaign for office one
must first of all be frank, and to be
frank one must be sincere. The fol-
lowing paragraphs represent my sim
cere conviction on a number OF is
sues which seem TO me to be vitality
important to the state welfare.
"They may be said to constitute the
framework of the legislative and ad-
ministrative structure l should like
to assist in building as governor of
Vermont.
'It is too much to expect that all
of them will meet with unanimous
approval but they at least have the
merit of refecting, as accurately as
/ have been abe to make them in
brief space, my honest earnest
Judgment, regardless of political con-
siderations Of popular appeal or of
anything, in short, but Vermont's
best interests.
/. Administrative management of
the business interests of the state on
business principles, the utmost econo-
my possible in all state appropria-
tions and expenditures consistent
with program OF progress.
2. An intensive effort not only
toward agricultural developments
but also for real awakening to our
great industrial possibilities appar-
ent now as never before because of
conditions in the business world.
Agricultural development and indus
trial development in Vermont should
go hand In hand and are essential to
each other.
8. Continued improvement and
further development of our highway
policy. giving all sections of the state
fair and impartial recognition; the
fullest possible cooperation; with the
good roads plan of the federal gov
ernment and the extension of our
state patrol system to the end that
the smaller towns, to whom this main
I tenance is a hardship, may be re-
! lieved of expense of maintenance OF
the trunk line highways and be free
to use their share of the state high
way funds in the maintenance and
! improvement of the so called town
roads so essential.
4. A square deal for everybody
without distinctions and the sane and
progressive enlargement of the scope
of the state board of arbitration in
order that 1t can be a means of real
helpfulness In the peaceful and
economic solution of conditions be
tween employer and employe.
g. Such attention to the rural
sections of our state-the rural
schools, the small towns problems
that under some equitable plan the
state can take over and maintain
towns unable to maintain their
schools and highways should the
town so elect and without depriving
them of representation.
g. A liberal and constructive
policy toward all our schools and
educational institutions and increas-
ed salaries for our teachers.
T. Such attention to our tax and
banking laws as will make. 1t possible
to borrow money at low interest
rate and tax exempt for the pur-
chase of farms, farm machinery and
homes as well as the establishment
of industrial enterprise within our
borders, making it attractive and
possible for our youth to remain in
Vermont.
8. A full and just recognition of
the services of our returned soldiers,
preferment where and when the
state will be benefited, the helping
hand Of the state extended to them
always and the disabled soldier re-
ceiying first consideration.
8. The approval and strengthen
ing of such state commissions as
have proved their worth by the acid
test of service and the elimination of
some commissions which time has
shown we do not need.
TO- Recognition OF the fact that
the Shepard prohibitory amendment
to the Federal Constitution is the
supreme law of the land, but that. the
Volstead act enacted by congress is
too radical and drastice and unneces.
sarily hard in the means it uses to
enforce. 1t is my firm conviction
many times expressed that changes
lin the constitution should be made
by the voice of all the people under
a referendum.
Frederick H. Babbitt.
N lAtnIo EnD nWnEM