The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1921-03-18

the same proportion as that by which
the teachers college bill (S-44) was de-
feated.
The debate on the. primary repeal bill
was begun by Mr.. Chase of Bennington,
who Withdrew his amendments providing
for a referendum. Mr.. Flint of North
field was Immediately recognized and
urged the legislators to improve the pri-
mary law instead of discarding it.
The Australian ballot" he said, did
not prove to be a political panaeea, but
who would think of discarding it now? To
repeal the primary would be distinctly
TeactiOnary.
Mr.. Cushman of Rochester followed for
repeal. He said that pure democracy did
not exist except in the town meeting.
when it is undertaken to extend
democracy indefinitely, it is unsafe and
impracticable. The ultimate end of
democracy is seen in Russia"
The speaker favored caucuSeS and con-
ventions rs a means Of political education
and based his argument on the plea for
representative government in party affairs
as we'll as public affairs.
Mr.. Morrison of Dummerston made an
earnest appeal for the law in behalf of
the women and Mr.. Bailey of Colchester
culin test. and that the trouble was that
Il number of well-knOwn politicians had
proved to be reactOrs.
The primary" he continued, has not
gentlemen wanted, but if we let the law
remain for two years, with the women vot-
ing. it will be brave man that will under
take its repeal
Mr.. Luce of Pomfret said the primary
favored a certain element in every town
which was against progress. When this
undesirable element" said the speaker,
puts up an undesirable candidate, he can
be defeated by the others combining, but
at the primary such candidates can win
p19f yvrhA nFaol oyolfH afa
running.
Mr.. Luce said the women could take
part in caucuSes the same as they could in
primaries and that it would do them good
to get into closer touch with political
affairs.
Mr. Wishart of Barre city referred to
the attitude of certain interests higher up
in the state government on this proposed
repeal. He paid a high tribute to women
and said that their sphere was not linz
tied Why is this haste to take away
from our new voters the right to partici-
pate in the party primariesz We ratified
the 10Th amendment by almost a unani
NOUS vote. Give woman a square deal
Don't try to legislate her out of hel
rights
Mr.. Darling of Chelsea said the bill
restored the caucus convention system
but offered home rule or local option as tt
whether each town would select delegates
by caucus or local primary. He denied
that the bill would disfranchise women
saying that they would turn out just IA
freely to a caucus as to a primary. III,
preferred to vote for men whom he knew
and trusted to select party candidates ant
said il would be beneficial for the womel
to meet the men face to face in party con
fiictS.
1t Is better to meet the candidates il
a convention" said the speaker, THAI
to see their pictures posted up on ever
barn and stone wall in the state. TIL
small towns are vitality interested in thi
bill, and it is an outrage and fraud t
force the primary on us when we don
want it. The system that gave us Abra
ham Lincoln is good enough for me-
Mr.. Chase of Remington said the pas
sage Of the bill would be betrayal G
every voters trust. 1T is their mar
date" he said "AThey wrote the law o
the statute books.
Mr. Dorsey of Rutland called attentio
to many defects of the law, visible eve
to a layman. and said ii meant the retur
of the slate and beginning political can
paigns in March.
Mr. Blood of West Windsor said I'll
primary favored man with a lit
push. while the caucus favored the ma
with the big pull.
" Mr.. Barber of Brattleb0rO asked wht
it had become unsafe TO trust the vote
Continued on Page 81