The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1920-10-30
LETTER BY E w. KENT.
To the Voters of Orange County Re-
garding Election. Etc.

~~NS~~N~Nsb ~~N~f
To the voters of Orange county:
have seen the press notice dated, Chel-
sea, Vt, Oct. is, 1920, signed by the
Orange county Republican committee,
in which they state the committees po-
sition and give their reasons for tax
ing the stand which they do regarding
my candidacy for the office of assistant
Judge. The committee in their state
ment did not tell the voters that on
two occasions [ demanded hearing be-
fore this same committee and in both
Instances it was refused | do not
know what reason this committee
should have in refusing to grant me a
hearing, unless it be owing to the fact
that one of its members was the de-
feated candidate for the office of assist
ant judge at the recent primary cleo
ton.
My former statement which ap.
peared over my signature states frank
ly my entire connection with this cir
cular which is claimed to be libeIous.
have felt and do now that my limo.
cent connection with it was of such
nature that it ought not to deprive me
of becoming a candidate for public Of
fee, and if elected, from holding pub
lie office. ! have been told that there
were many of these circulars printed
and that many persons circulated them
in the county, whose names are known
to the prosecuting authorities; if this
is true, and if | am guilty of a erimi-
nal offense, there certainly must be
many others, equally guilty; yet |
have not heard of any criminal prose-
cution being instituted against any
other persons. except one. 1t would
seem to me that much of this whole
matter is purely one of politics, 9TH
erwise there would have been many
other persons charged with this same
offense.
| received the nomination, and have
decided to stand as the nominee. This
demand of the committee that ] with
draw my name from the ticket was in
the form of an ultimatum, even speei
fving the date when I should comply
with their order After declining to
withdraw and two days after the time
set by the committee for me to com
ply with their demands. the secretary
and treasurer of this same committee
addressed me as follows;
Chelsea. Vt, 10, Is, 30.
"Hon. Edward w Kent,
Randolph Ctr, Vt.
my Dear Ed:
"At the meeting OF the Orange coun
ty Republican committee. held here
last week, il was voted to assess the |
nominees of the September primary |
election on the Republican ticket, the |
sum of $40 each. TO the end that the |
may have a fund on deposit |
with which TO meet legitimate ex-
penses which arise from time TO time. |
and these assessments are due and
payable TO me as secretary-treasurer
Of the committee and | await your
pleasure.
"Nerv truly yours,
(Signedl william n. Sprague.'
1t would seem that the committee,
although demanding my withdrawal as
The nominee of my party, and with the
idea Of drafting some persons to de-
feat me if possible. at the same time
we're assessing me for expenses of the
committee in so doing. This il one OF
he many things which have come up
n regard to this matter, yet, as have
previously stated, | desire that all
foters should exercise their own good
alignment and elect whoever they de-
ire for assistant Judge. 1t is for them
o say when given the opportunity.
r. w Kent.
Randolph, VT, Oct %, 1920.