The Daily Alaska empire., 1937-12-20
Advice From Vermont
Cleveland Plaindealer)

Cleveland Plaindealer)
 When the executive group of the Republican na tonal committee meets at French Lick Springs it will find awaiting it's attention the letter of Gov George D Aiken of Vermont demanding purge" of the con- mttee for the country's sake.
 Vermont being of the two states Landon car red for president last year it's governor thinks he IS privileged to express an opinion to what as the party This seems reasonable enough since one of the causes of Aiken's complain is that Republicans from Republican sections exercise altogether too much influence the management and policies Of the party
 The governor makes good point in saying that ordinarily citizens alarmed at the insidous changes he sees coming form of government" would be turning to the Republican party to offer the needed defense That they not doing this seems obvious to Aiken, it must to many others. It gives the governor real that his party has fallen in public confidence that it is not thus given the nor maj task of a wideawake opposition party.
 It is scarcely to be assumed that Gov. Aikens letter will be taken very seriously by majority of the na- tona committee, and partly because of condition which the letter complains about most bitterly. We mean the condition brought about by the membership of southern Republicans whose local organizations kept alive by federal patronage, and whose districts produce about many Republican votes for president as one finds strawberries in Baffin Land. l This has been long standing scandal With the help of southern delegates spoon-fed from Washing ton, Republican president can be defeated for nomination The other Roosevelt thought otherwise to his sorrow in 1912.
 First then, among Aiken's demands is that the national committee be purged of the "baneful nfu- ence of southern members who represent nothing but federal patronage past and present-mostly past" Second the governor insists the party shall address itself to the task of winning the youth of the country We have become party of old men Third he asks the immediate preparation of an "af- firmative program.
 ! Here the Vermonter offers a combination of Hoo- yer and Landon. He endorses the social aims which the Roosevelt regime has had "the wisdom to adopt but has lacked the ability to put into efficient operation"
 odd it may sound to hear a plea for states rights from Republican governor of such a state Vermont, in criticism of Democratic nation- al administration, here is the plea. And it will be listened to and approved by thousands of Democrats as well as Republicans.
 l With the Vermont mans main theme that his party has fallen evil days and needs radical rejuvenaton if it is again to be useful to the nation there will be widespread agreement. Observing the volume of criticism aimed currently at the Roosevelt administration one would that the opportun- ity of the century confronted the party of the outs. Noting the conditions in the party, however, which Gov Aiken almost brutally condemns, sees small chance that the opportunity will be grasped
 Chairman Hamilton and his committee colleagues will be wise to give thought to the letter with the Montpelier postmark.