Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1886-03-29
MIR. McGAFFEY SPEAKS.
Editor Monitor Il have thonnI

over the electlOn OIL county commits |
sloner, but the scurrilous article IN
the columns Of the MONITOR, signed
GA man from the South End" is SO
misleading and false that | wish
through the columns of your paper
to give the facts in the matter, so
far as know them, and leave the
public to judge where the wrong ex-
lists. My statements will be plain
and will not mislead any one. l
shall make none that I am not fully
able to prove, neither shall l sneak
behind an alias to stab in the back
any individual or association. The
article is a continuous fling of mud
al Mr.. Camp, myself, and the coun-
ty Temperance Society. I am glad
that my enemies consist of such a
class of men, and l do not believe
Judge Dutton will feel very proud of
their support. The "South End
Man" starts out with lie in saving
| was an aspirant for the office, did
not seek or wish for it, and it was a
surprise to me when message came
by telephone asking me to accept
the nomination. After learning
from Mr.. Collins that he rather not
serve any longer, decided to accept
with the belief that if elected, |
could work a reformation in the
town agencies whereby a better and
uniform quality of liquor could be,
sold at a uniform price throughout
the county; it can be done and I
sincerely hope Mr.. Dutton will take
interest enough in the matter to see
that the agencies are conducted in
accordance with the law. and that
liquors are kept that are fit for medi-
cinal uses. The primary cause, the
starting point of the opposition to
me was from the agency in Glover,
which is not run as the law says it
shall be. The agent purchases all
the liquor himself, fixes his own
price, and does not keep liquor fit
for medicine, as / believe and COM
mon report says. The agent is
aware that l made complaint to
Commissioner Collins that there was
violation of the law in conducting
the Glover agency, and he also was
aware that if | was elected commits
sioner that he would have to give up
agency or run it as the law directs.
The selectmen excuse themselves
| for their violation of the law by say
ing that they authorize the agent to
purchase the liquor, that is they tell
him to buy it. The statute (sec.
1894 says: "Town agents shall not
purchase intoxicating liquor at the
expense or credit of the town for
which such agent is appointed; but
the selectmen of such town shall
furnish the agents, at the expense of
the town, such liquor; and they
shall fix the price at which it shall
be sold, and the money received
from such sales shall be paid by the
agent into the treasury of the town
when required by the selectmen."
claim under that law that the Sc
lectmen cannot authorize or empow-
Ell the agent to purchase the liquor,
for 1t expressly says he shall not
purchase it. There is no account
presented before the town for money
expended for the purchase of liquor
or money received from the sales
and l think | am safe in saying there
are not a dozen taxpayers in towr
that know whether the town receives
any profit on the sales or whether
the agent runs it for his own profit
the selectmen give him an orde
each year for $50 for selling. "Soutl
End Mans" lie number two is, tina
I was nominated by Mr.. Camp. HI
had nothing to do with it, except t.
publish it after it was made; he aist
says that Mr.. Camp lied when h.
said he understood that my persona
enemies started out to defeat me an,
visited every town in the interests o
Judge Dutton. l presume Mr.
Camps statement ''that he under
STOOD they visited every town, wa
true, for that was the general under
understanding, and what they in
tended to do, and the only reaso
they did not do this, was becaus
the storm prevented it., and to &C
: cuse Mr.. Camp of lying becaus
e they were prevented by accider
q from making his statement is wrong
: Lie number three is, that my defes
e was not accomplished by some c
e my townsmen, l received the motto
: of my nomination from the commit
5, tee by postal card. 1t is probab
IL u that the card was read in the pos
< office and my enemies thus apprise
=, ~ of the fact before it was published
lie any paper. The town agent rul
II the post-office although another ms
D has the name of being postmaste
"a My enemies here who have nss
lie every oppol tunity to fight me sin
III DR.. Templeton's senatorial car
r. paign (Which l strongly opposed
I. were the prime movers IN the opp
"a sition to me, subscription pap
=. was started to raise money to
ve fray expenses. they started o
III themselves and hired others to Wis
or as they said, every town in the cou
If ty, and was only prevented from d
ID ing SO by the impossible conditi
l. n I