■■'■■ ^"- V'^-'y' '\*^'''/ v'^'V % f^^^ o V .0 ^■ ,*'■ "o^-^--'/ V^^\**' "°**^-'*/ %'">r.' *. .* ..^<*^- . . ..^... *,^^^^^* .^.. ^^^^^, o > • • ' V ^.^ K«^' "-^ /"^ V^'^^*/ \/^^^-\/^ V*'^^*/ \/^^ •-v^^'*" ^^^\ °oW^*" .^'^'^^^^.. ^^i^*° '^'^^^ "^^^s >-^^'' °o °o .-^ '^ A GREEN MOUNTAIN BOY BORN AND BRED CARROLL SMALLEY PAGE TPKr, By Transfer NOV 35 ]9\6 FORE WORD. A campaign for the office of United States Senator ought to be waged on a high plane. Believing that their case is clear if fully presented to the people of Vernaont, the authors of this booklet have here presented Senator Page's constructive legje- lative record; his position, both by his votes and by his spoken words, on many important measures; some arguments for his re-election at this critical time in our nation's history, and the tributes from some of his associates as to his influence in Congress. BIOGRAPHICAL. Carroll Smalley Page is a native of Vermont, having been born in Westfield in Orleans county. At the age of three years he came to Hyde Park, which has since been his home. Here he has built up a business which has given him an international reputation. Here, and elsewhere in his native state, every dollar of his property is invested. What he has done for Ver- mont in a business way is just the thing that counts in making Vermont the kind of a state we all want it to be. In 1869, at the age of 26 years, he began an almost continu- ous career of pul)lic service, by representing Hyde Park in the Legislature. He was re-elected for the succeeding term and in 1874 represented Lamoille county in the Senate. For 18 con- secutive years — from 1S72 to 1890— he was a member of the Re- publican state committee, and its chairman for the last four years. He was twice a delegate to Republican national conventions, being chairman of the Vermont delegation in the 1912 conven- tion. From 1884 to 1888 he was Savings Bank examiner of Vermont, and Governor from 1890 to 1892. He was the first Governor to advocate the Australian ballot law, the weekly payment of wages in money by corporations, the abolition of riilroad passes, and progressive child labor legislation, all of which have since been incorporated into our Statutes. On Oct. 21, 19H8, he was elected by the Legislature to the United States Senate for a term of two years, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Senator Redfield Proctor. Two years I iter he was re-elected for the full term of six years, receiving at this time the vote of every Democrat in the Legislature. SENATOR PAGE'S RECORD. His record is an open l)ook, and that l)ook is the Congres- sional Record. Here one may find his votes on all the impor- tant questions that have been under discussion in Congress in the past eight years, with illuminating remarks or carefully prepared speeches as the occasion warrantetl. He never dodged the responsibility of voting on a.uy roll call. H(^ always voted according to the dictates of his own conscience and his best judgment. Horo are a few instances of his jjosition on specific measures : He voted "Yes" on the bill establishing parcel post, the passage of which reduced the cost of living for rich and poor alike by lowering the transportation charges on all kinds of products. He opposed Canadian reciprocity and spoke against it in the Senate, believing it would l)e disastrous to the agricultural interests of Vermont. He voted "Yes" on the bill to establish a bureau for the welfare of children and women laborers, a measure to make life worth living for every juvenile and wo'ran wage earner. He voted "Yes" for the bill permitting the President to put on the free list such articles as were controlled by monopolies, thereby antagonizing the powerful trusts and their army of pair lobbyists at the national capital. He strongly supported the Child Labor bill, the latest measure for elevating the conditions of toiling childhood. Vermont dairymen always found him voting right in regard to oleomargarine. He strenuously oppo.sed all efforts to allow the oleomargarine dealer to color his product so as to resemble butter, which has been the chief contention of the Vermont farmer. He has had a potential influence in the committee on Indian Affairs and ha.s persistently fought from the first the hundreds of bills which if passed would have unjustly deprived the red man of his property. The Indians regard him as their true friend. He voted "No" on the motion to strike out that portion of the Conservation bill that gave the Government the right to conserve the resources of the Connecticut river. This was a deliberate attempt on the part of certain powerful interests to cripple the conservation system. Senator Page believed in saving the God-given resources of New England for the people of that prosperous section and their children's children. He voted for the Dillingham Immigration bill, a far-reach- ing measure that offered the proper solution of one of the most complex questions now before Congress and the nation. He supported the bill providing free tolls for American ohips using the Panama canal in the coastwise trade, believing in encouraging the development of our merchant marine and hast- ening the day of return to its former supremacy on the seven seas. He voted "Yes" on the amendment to the Agricultural bill appropriating $25,000 to publish a full report of the Com- mission on Country Life, one of President Roosevelt's most popular and far-reaching measures. In the discussion of that part of the Post Office appropria- tion bill relating to good roads, Senator Page advocated taking the Postal Savings deposits — then some $20,000,000 — and loaning the fund to the extent of $300 per mile, on a 2 per cent basis, to those sections who wished to borrow it for a highway fund. He said he believed that the time had come Avhen the Federal government ought in some way to stimulate road building, and he believed this was the most practical way in which to extend Federal aid. This was a very important con- tribution towards the good roads movement. He opposed the Rural Credits bill, an administration measure only passed by the whip and spur of party expediency, and which even manj' Eastern Democrats opposed on the floor of Congress. Senator Page considered this absolutely hostile to the interest! of Vermont because it would exempt from taxation the invest- ments of the money lender and transfej the l)urden to the back of the farmer. Every member of the Vermont delegation stood with him on this measure, and not a single RepublicaD Senator east of Illinois and Michigan voted for the i)ill. Many of the Vermont papers, including both the Rutland Herald and the St. Johnsbury Caledonian, commended Senator Page for opposing this bill. In the debate on the hide and leather sections of the Payne- Aldrich tarifif bill Senator Page took a most active part, fighting a long and hard battle against the hide trust, which he finally won. As a member of the committee on Naval Affairs he has stood for a preparedness policy that was neither of a make-shift nature or niggardly in his appropriations. He voted "No" on an amendment to the Naval appropriations bill reducing the cost of our battleships from six million to four and one-half million dollars, later in that session supporting the amendment that provided for the construction of two first-class battleships instead of one. He favored the main provisions of the Naval appropriations bill that recently became a law, voting "Yes" on its final passage, Julj^ 21, 1916. He opposed an amendment to the Agricultural bill whose passage would have crippled the splendid efficiency of our for- estry service iiy reducing its appropriation more than S4,000,000. His record will show that he has always consistently favored our national conservation policy. On several occasions he advocated Federal aid for the Lake Champlain waterway, declaring it was not only a feasible proj- ect, but that its completion would greatly stiniulate the trade of the Eastern states, as well as give an impetus to foreign commerce. In supporting the measure to erect a memorial to Commodore McDonough, the hero of the battle of Plattsburg, on the shores of LakeChamplain,he paid one of the finest tributes to Vermont's contribution of her sons and daughters to other states ever heard on the floors of Congress. He has been a true friend of the old soldier. His efforts in securing special pensions for Vermont soldiers, their widows and children, have been most efficient and successful. Senator Page has always fought for protection to American industries, particularly the protection of the products of the Vermont farm, the Vermont quarry and the Vermont factory. He voted "Yes" on the bill that provided for injuries to employes engaged in interstate commerce. He secured the passage of legislation making a liberal appropriation favorable to the Morgan horse. The College Extension bill, under which county agents are now working, was first introduced as a part of Senator Page's Vocational bill, our junior Senator thus blazing the way for this great measure which is of such lasting benefit to every American farmer. His committee assignments are considered as good and ■trong as those of any man in the Senate. They include these important committees: Agriculture and Forestry, Banking and Currency, Education and Labor, Indian Affairs, Interoceanie Canals, Naval Affairs, Printing, Transportation and Sale of Meat Products (chairman). He is always prompt at committee meetings, where his vigorous work in killing unwise legislation and his ripe judgment in discussion are of the greatest value. It is well understood by everyone conversant with the methods of handling national legislation that the real work of the Senate i« done in committee and not on the floor. 8 VOCATIONAL EDUCATION. The great constructive work done by Senator Page upon this important measure would of itself alone entitle him to a re- election even if he had accomplished nothing else in eight busy years at Washington. This great system of vocational educa- tion, under Federal guidance and with Federal aid, has been endorsed by Presidents Roosevelt, Taft and Wilson, by the American Federation of Labor, and by practically all the lead- ing educators of this country. In regard to Senator Page's part in this great work we quote the words of a Democratic colleague, Senator Thomas of Colo- rado: "The Senator from Vermont, whose chi'd this bill unquestionably is, and who, as de- clared by the Senator from Georgia, is entitled to the great merit of having framed it, intro- duced it, lived with it and brought it to its present moment of fruition. It is a great work, and a monument to the Senator's career which I am sure will keep his memory green and fresh in the hearts of a grateful posterity." 9 PIONEER LEGISLATION. The original Page Vocational bill which was the first bill of its kind to ever pass either branch of Congress, involved appropriations from the national treasury aggregating nearly $15,000,000 annualh^ It was referred to the committee on Agriculture and Forestry, of which Senator Page was a member. Under the infallible rule of the Senate which promotes a man because of seniority. Senator Page will automatically become chairman of this committee whenever the Republican party returns to power. In this position he can be of more real ser- vice to Vermont than in any other place. It was the position occupied by Senator Proctor at the time of his death. This great constructive measure, the Vocational Education bill, regarded by all as the child of Senator Page, supplements, by conforming to the changed and growing conditions of our country, that other great wel- fare measure, the Morrill Agricultural act, introduced and passed some fifty years ago by that great Vermont statesman, Justin S. Morrill. 10 Three Vermont Customs Considered. Vermont from the days of Ethan Allen to the present day has stood out among the other states as an individual commonwealth, with her own problems and policies, not one of the crowd. 1 THE MOUNTAIN RULE. Much may be said in favor of choosing the best men where- •ver they live. Yet in the long run the time-honored custom of having both sides of the State equally represented, works for impartiality and for equality of representation. It reduces truly factional fights in the State by half. It gave us Foot, CoUamer, Morrill, Edmunds and Proctor. THE CUSTOM OF RETAINING THE MEN WHO SERVE US IN THE SENATE. The beneficial results of this custom have been numerous. Better men could afford to take the ofEce because it olTored some assurance of permanency. Greater care was exercised 11 in making the choice because it was a choice for a long service. The men chosen gained pre-eminence by reason of having a longer experience than Senators from other states, and by seniority on committees attained important chairmanships which gave them great power and Vermont great eminence. When a Senator ended his career, under this rule, the ground was automatically cleared for entrance of the very ablest men. Edmunds and Morrill were drafted. It will be impossible to draft young men of great ability if the field is to be opened only to such aspirants as have the standing political machine or the money necessary to warrant them in attempting to oust an in- cumbent of the senatorial office. Most important of all, this rule removes men once elected to the United States Senate from the distraction of petty politics, leaving them free to do important work in Washington. THE CUSTOM OF SENDING TO WASHINGTON MEN WHO HAVE AT LEAST LIVED THEIR ACTIVE LIVES IN VERMONT. This principle of "Vermont for Vermonters" insures us of being represented by truly representative men who understand our desires, needs and standards of achievement. Its main- tenance, also, will insure us against such situations as the no- torious Addicks brought on in Delaware, when he went to that state a number of years ago and attempted unsuccessfully with his millions to buy the United States Senatorship. 12 BISMARCK ON LENGTH OF SERVICE. It is a well-recognized fact that Vermont's prestige in Congress has been due to the fact that her public servants have been kept in the public service. A generation ago this was emphasized by the Iron Chancellor in the following remarkable conversation, which may be seen today framed on the walls of the Windsor public library : In the year 1878 three American gentlemen were visiting Prince Bismarck at his residence at Friedrichsruhe. In the course of conversation Bismarck said to them : "I would like to give you my idea of a republic. I think you will grant that I am somewhat of a student of political history. Aly idea of a republic is a little htate in the north of your great country — the smallest of the New England states — Vermont." One of the Americans said: "Not Massachusetts?" "Ah' No," he answered. "Vermont is small in area, of slow growth, has a larger percentage of school attendance than any other state, is not devoted to manufactures; nor so much to farming as to make its interests political; owes nothing to the general government, but on the contrary is a creditor to the general government for Civil War expenses, and aims pri- marily and purely at the educational and religious evolution of each individual. Is it not true," he added, "that this little state keeps its Senators and Representatives in office term after term, until they die?" And he proceeded to speak of Collamer, Morrill and Edmunds. One of the Americans rose and said, "Your Excellency, two of us are graduates of the University of Vermont, and one of us claims that state as his birthplace." Bismarck himself rose and said, "Gentlemen, you should be most proud of your inheritance. To be a son of Vermont is glory enough for the greatest citizen." 13 SENATOR LODGE'S TRIBUTE TO THE CONSTRUCTIVE WORK OF SENATOR PAGE. We are glad to present herewith a letter written by one of the leaders of the Senate, Hon. Henry Cabot Lodge of Massa- chusetts, in reply to a communication from Hon. Clark King of Montpelier, who wrote Senator Lodge asking him what Sen- ator Page had done for Vermont. UNITED STATES SENATE. My dear Sir: Washington, D. C, July 17, 1916. I have received your letter of July 14. You will understand of course, that it would not be fitting for me, a Senator from another state, to take sides in a contest between Republicans, all members of my own party, in Vermont. But in reply to questions you ask about Senator Page it is entirely proper for me to say that I have known Senator Page ever since he entered the Senate eight years ago. He and I are friends, and my relations with him have al- ways been most pleasant. He is recognized by all his colleagues as a most hardworking, cap- able Senator, very industrious and careful, a very valuable and diligent member of all the committees to which he belongs, and he has taken a conspicuous part in all tariff discussions since he entered the Senate. He is, however, particularly identified with the bill for vocational education, a measure of the utmost importance to which he gave many months of careful study. Having framed the bill he then, by his persistence and determin- ation, finally carried it through the Senate. Al- though it failed in the House, this does not in the least detract from the deserved distinction which Senator Page earned by his admirable work and by his championship of this important measure. His ability and activity in the work of the Senate are unquestioned by any one who is familiar with that body. Very truly yours, 14 H. C. LODGE. DiUiiijiiham on Paj^e No man in \\w Tnitcl States S has been more rcRuUir in attoiula.u-o, more s. than Senator Page. He has l,rouslit to the Senate all of diose characteristic activities ol mind and temperament whicii gavv him leadership m the busi- ness and political circles of Vermont. His general characteristics can b(«st be described, perliaps bv referring to a recent conversation had with a distinguished Democratic Senator who mad(> this remark:-"My observation has been that the Senate is ma up of two classes of men, those who feel it their chity to speak on every question but who arc (uiite frequently wrong l)oth in their premises and conclu- sions, and secondly those who speak less frecpiently and never unless thev have something of value to say, Init who by reason ot careful studv and patient investigation are almost invariably right in their action." Senator Page belongs in the class last mentioned. ^ , , .•^. Those who have watched tlu> course of the two great pa. t.^ as represented in the Senate must have observed that the Repul,- lican partv has l)een composed of men who have done their own thinking and maintained a self-respecting inciependence. Caucus action is not tolerated among them. On the other hand, the caucus system has long been m vogue in the Democratic party, and its binding authority upon its members has been declared superior to their individual conscience an.l judgment. This has been conspicuously so unrk, have been faithfu m the .ttemlance while, to a lamentable degree, the Democrat, members have been conspicuous by their absence, \\lun it is remembered that the character of the work done l>y t Senate committees is so fully recognized by that body tha i o e tlKui 80 pemMit of the measures favorably considered are adoptc t that we have a Democratic majority and tiiat he is not in charg(» of the bill instead of myself." In the debate which followed, Senator Thomas of Colorado, referring to the measure as a monument to Senator Page's care(T, said, "I am sure it will keep his memory fresh and green in the hearts of a grat(>ful posterity." At that time the District of Columbia Ajjpropriation Hill, in charge of Senator John Walter Smith of Maryhmcl, was the unfinished business, and it was upon an appeal made to him by Senator Page, in the course of the debate, that consent was given that the Appropriation Bill be temporarily laid aside that a vote might be taken upon the Vocational Education Bill. This Avas done and the measure passed the Senate by a unani- mous vote. As a member of the Committee on Banking and Currency, Senator Page has on all occasions been present at its meetings and has taken an active part in shaping up the important leg- islation which that committee has, in latter years, had under consideration. The most important piece of legislation recently emanating from that committee is what is known as the Rural Credits Bill and, in view of the fact that his opposition to that measure has been the subject of criticism, I want to say that I fully share his views and hold to the opinion that the reasons given 1)3' him for his action, and which have been published l)y the Vermont press, are sound, and that time will justify his position. I do not know how I can better indicate Senator Page's general standing in the Senate than to adopt the language of Senator Lodge when he said, "His ability and activity in the work of the Senate are unquestioned by any one who is familiar with the work of that body." I have written more at length than I intended because it seemed necessary in order to set the Senator's record right regarding his measure providing for vocational education. No one less intimately associated with him than I have been can i)roperly comprehend the drafts which have been made upon his vitality in his work for the advancement of that measure, l^'or a period of two or three years it occupied his thought and dominated his life, and to have twice secured its passage through the Senate is an honor which must in some degree repay him for his many anxieties and tireless efforts. I am glad to be able to write as I have done, both because of the personal friendship that has existed between Senator Page and myself for many 3'ears, and because justice demands a truthful statement of the facts as they exist. Sincerely yours, WIM. P. DILLINGHAM. P D 18 1 IF THE FACTS IN OUR BOOKLET HAVE CONVINC- ED YOU THAT A TRUE AND TRIED PUBLIC SERVANT IS WORTHY OF BEING RETURNED TO WASHING- TON THEN YOU WILL VOTE AT THE PRIMARIES ON SEPTEMBER 12 FOR SENATOR CARROLL S. PAGE 4 0^ -^ ' '^ o «0 • * * » '^ ^c ^>;\ ,^^^;^'> /^-^'^ .^^*;^^°% / ""J '"-'*.<- n «-^o. lO-?^ "^^