The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1921-09-17
PUBLIC MENACE D
BY Y|DEAL|S|M SAYS
EX-G0V.FLET ETCHER
Says Paternalism May Eventu-
ally Lead to Socialism
TALKS TO WOMEN VOTERS
Advise Them to Impress Views
Upon Legislators by
Spanking Process

Burlington. Sept. Expressing
himself IN the term given by certain
newspaper as coming from the tomb,
ex-Goy Allen NJ. Fletcher, speaking
Thursday night at the citizenship con
ference Of the Vermont Branch of the
League OF Women voters, took a di.
rect issue with previous speakers on
the questions of national paternalism
and idealism He declared that pater
nalsm in national affairs meant that
the women voters would have to bear
their parts of the burden of taxation
OF which New England already car
ried more than onelhat
Referring to idealism, the ex.gover-
nor said that he believed II the most
dangerous thing in public life.
"As between an idealist, he said,
"and an experienced, practical poll
tican would choose the latter You
might bring public sentiment to bear
on the politician, whereas the deaist
might explode in all directions
Champions Primary Law.
He warned the women voters to
send men to Montpelier to represent
them who would be pledged. first, TO
preserve the primary law and, second
for an absolute policy of economy He
further warned them that unless the
primary were preserved It would drive
them into the old time caucus in
which their influence would not be sol
strongly felt
He complimented Lieut. Gov A. w.
Foote on having taken his stand for
economy, bat said he had not made 1t
quite clear where he would begin to
cut down expenses,
Perhaps said the speaker as he
may be the next governor Of Vermont
he did not feel like it. As a matter
of fact he took his political life in
his hands when he said as much as
he did about economy.
Flags City Judscship.
Ex-Gov. Fletcher quoted Auditor |
ben Gates as recommending that the
state should be divided into tour dis
trcts with a superior judge IN each
district. who would transact all the
business in that district With /
the exception of Burlington. Rutland /
and possibly one other city the audi +
tor declared there was no need for J.
judges.
These municipal iudgeships,' ex
Gov. Fletcher declared, enable the .
governor to pay certain political
debts. ! know something about 1t
from experience.
The speaker admitted that national
might add somewhat to
the educational facilities OF the nation
but that he primarily believed IN
home missionary work first
lie paid a high compliment to tn
University of Vermont its medical
college and the hospital which is the
outgrowth of the medical college
penounees Paternalism.
81 am afraid OF patenalism.' he
continued because it means social
sm if carried to its logical conclu'
sion. Suppose you were faced some
line with a broad appointive power
which might say that so-and-so would
be your cook. which might fix her com
,ensation and make her your servant
or life. You might say that this would
De unconstitutional but the decision
If the Supreme court ON the Adamson
aw means to layman that Congress
$ the constitution and has the power
# an English Parliament This up
,ets all Cavendsh law
The ex-governor urged the women
,oters to make it very plain to their
what they wanted
md in case they were not able TO
make II plain enough to spank them
After YOU have spanked them
,nce." h, said. they will see a great
ight and it will not be necessary to
spank them again.
lie compared the menace OF social
SIN to the boil weeyil, He did not
that the women voters
,hould begin their political experience
W spanking the candidates or parties
mi urged them to take their full ana
,roper part in the election of repre-
ientatives.