Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-09-11
The Situation in Vermont.


Whatever opinion any individual may
hold with reference to the best manner
of restricting the traffic in Intoxicating
liquor. 1t would be worse than idle to at
tempt to misinterpret the figures measur-
ing the result of Tuesdays election. or to
belittle their significance. While other
minor issues probably entered to a greater
or less degree as factors into the con-
test. the result tends to show that con-
siderable portion Of the people are op-
posed to existing legislation in relation to
the sale Of intoxicating liquor There are
few prohibtionsts in the Democratic
party. and possibly a small number of
voters were led to support Clement un-
der the belief that he could in some mys-
ferrous way effect a material reduction in
our State expenses. Speaking in general
terms, however the combined McGottrick
and Clement vote can safely be put down
as opposed to the prohibitory law as 1t
stands.
OF the GS,7l0 votes cast for governor In
the recent election 1859 were for Clemen,
and 7.lSo for McGettrick their combined
vote being "a S31, or more than half of the
number of ballots cast in the election. Or
the other hand no intelligent man will
question the statement that many loca
option men voted for Gen. Mccullough, &C
cepting the pledge OF the Republican party
made in the State convention at Mont
pelier requesting the State Legislature e
submit local option and high license Law
to the people for approval or rejection.
To go still further, 1t transpires thai
some mon voted for Clement under tn,
erroneous impression that his plank called
for the repeal of the prohibtory law anC
the adoption of a license law in its place
without referring the measure to the PEG
pie, and some of them now say that |
they had known both the Clement and tn,
Mccullough planks called for a referen
dunn they would have voted for McCul
Tough. not being willing to vote for tn
democratic candidate even to secure tn
adoption of local option without refer
endum, but being willing to go so far Il
that direction as they supposed when vot
ing as to bolt their party and support a
Independent ticket.
I'm the light OF this showing the attemp
to make it appear that the coming Legis
J lature will not give the people a chanc
to express their preference for local or
tion and high license is a reflection on tn
) Intelligence Of the members elect as we'll a
upon their sincerity and honesty. TIL
great majority of the straight repuplica
representatives elected were chosen afte
they had given pledges. not few of whic
were printed, stating that they stoo
spuarely on the republican platform
Moreover the campaign was characterize
i by the constant reiteration of the Stat
republican plank by the republican cand
dates and republican campaign speakers.
Il Another report that has already bee
= put in circulation is that even If the Lei
: islature passes a local-option and hig
license measure for submission to the PEE
3 ple it Will be an emasculated affair, and
y formulated by the friends OF prohhitic
= as to ensure It's defeat. Accepting the Ru
/ land Heralds figures as correct there W
. be about ninety prohibtionsts in the Lei
o islature and 1t is difficult to see how nine
l. men can block any measure favored
e the remaining $50 or so members. unle
l. the neighbor credits the prohibitions
% with a tremendous power of moral su
Is sion. AS a matter Of fact some of the pr
'r hbitionists have favored referendu
m feeling that the majority should rule. al
re that it would be better for all concerns
to have this liquor question decided o
u way or the other.
Of These things beirg so, II is past compr
Of hension how any republican, who accept
r the State republican platform can take
to position in opposition to the formulate
he of a local option and high license measu
ed to be submitted to the people, and such
Is. measure will unquestionably be REFER
IN to the people unless the Clement men, W
oy declared in favor of a referendum at tn
r. State convention abandon that positi
" and unite with the democrats on the den
he cratic platform In favor of the passage
". local option law without a referendu
10 taking with them enough of the licer
,r. men who support Mccullough to rep'