Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1902-07-10


A meeting of local-option leaders
was held in Rutland last Thursday,
the whole situation was canyassed,
and as a result mass convention OF
the dissatisfied Clement wing will be
held in Burlington next Wednesday
July 10th. Mr.. Clement gives the call
his approval, and says that if nominal
ed for governor by this convention he
will accept and make the strongest
fight he can to win II is likely that
full state ticket will be named, plat
form adopted and organization per-
fected
Present appearances are that the re-
cent bitter struggle within the Repub-
lican party was but the prelude TO
war-to-the-knife that is to ensue before
September. Such thing as a Repub-
lican bolt from a state ticket in Yer
mont has never before taken place.
With all the conditions known to exist,
it cannot result otherwise than in a
fierce grapple of most determined an
tagonists. that will wrench the old
state to its deepest foundations.
Mr. Clement bases his bolt on the
following alleged grievances -
lst. That the nomination OF Gen.
Mccullough for the goyernorship was
not fairly brought about, inasmuch as
delegates were elected for Mccullough
by the direct purchase OF votes with
money, and BY other corrupt means,
and attempts were made to purchase
delegates, even, after their election.
Mr.. Clement contends that nominal
tions procured by such means are not
binding on the party.
ID That Mr.. Clements delegates
were denied their rights in the conven-
ton itself. It is claimed that after Mr..
Proctor's withdrawal they sought to
get hearing for the purpose Of bring
ing before the convention important
matters relating to the conduct OF the
campaign, and that the chairman and
the opposing delegates, by refusing
them recognition or an opportunity to
make themselves heard, deprived
them OF an opportunity that might
have been turned to the very great
advantage of their candidate.
Sd The platform. though so closely
akin to the demands of the Local OPP
ton League as to have been accepted
BY the leading lieutenant OF Mr.. Glenn
ent in the convention, is not radical
enough to suit the out-and-out beliey-
ers in local option.
4th II is suspected that the referen-
dun plank was inserted merely as
sop to the Clement forces, to keep
them in line long enough to secure
McCulloughs election, when some
means would be devised to throw
down local-option in the next legisla-
ture. In proof OF this, the action OF
Orange county in repudiating this
plank IS cited II is also alleged that
in other counties senators have been
named who will not vote for any refer
endum measure that promises TO be
the means Of bringing in local-option.
In short. the Clement men want to
have the handling Of legislation deal
ing with their pet theory themselves
instead Of leaving it to those whom
they suspect OF insincerity.
9Th That the so-called "ring" that
has controlled Vermont politics should
be "busted" by a genuine peoples
9th That gross abuses and extrava-
gances in state government exist,
which Mr.. Clement win remedy, if he
is elected.
We have stated Mr.. Clements po-
sition fully, and we believe, fairly. We
do not purpose, at this time, to enter
into a discussion OF these questions,
with an effort to demonstrate that the
facts and conditions are not as repre- /
sented by Mr.. Clement, at least to the
extent OF warranting the grave step
that be is about to take This article
is merely statement OF the causes
leading up to the Clement bolt, with a
closing word as to its chances of sue
cess.
The end in view is, we suppose, the
election of Mr. Clement as governor, /
and OF a legislature favorable to local
option. As to the former. we are
not ready to undertake the role of
prophet Mr. Clement has shown
himself a vigorous and resourceful
fighter. II his preconvention can
vass, he compelled the admiration of
his opponents by the results that he