Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-05-01

temperance man but man of the highest
moral character, worthy of the support OF
every voter who sincerely believes in right
living.
The News has always been a sincere and
consistent supporter of the present pro
hibitory law as against any license scheme
thus far invented and 1t does not hesitate
to say that 1t has no fear of any weaken
ing of that law through the election OF
General Mccullough to the governorship.
1t believes that supporters of this law
generally will take the same view OF the
matter.
THE CANDIDATES AND THE LIQUOR
TRAFFIC.
(From the Montpelier Journal.)
General McCullough's position is the
only one a governor having a right under
standing Of the principles Of the govern
ment of Vermont and the duties of Its chief
executive ONCE can take. 1t is the position
held by the governor who approved the
Original prohibitory law, and by every gov
ernor elected since its enactment. In re-
spect OF this or any other kind of leg1sla-
ton. This is all there Is Of the matter Nc
Cullough Is on solid, constitutional ground.
The hulabaloo the Proctor local option,
high license organs are making over the
dlctum Of General Mccullough is all the
rankest kind of demagoguery. In this
emergen they don't care a continental
down, whether prohibition is maintained as
the policy of the State or whether any
combination of license-high or low-with
local option is substituted for the existing
sy stem. The issue Is purely and entirely
anything to beat Mccullough" The intent
and purpose of all their cutlery is to raise
q dust, obscure the real Issue and fool the
voters into turning from their natural
choice for governor to the candidate who
has been persuaded for some sinister pur.
pose to recall his original conclusion, to &c
| back on the assurances given his best and
truest friends, and to enter the canvass to
defeat General Mccullough. The louder
their outcry, the fiercer their defamation
the clearer their purpose appears.
| The question presented is simply the old
old one Of the sovereignty of the people, tc
wit:
Ought the governor, by the exercise Of
the veto power, to prevent the enactment
of a law regulating the liquor traffic
against the wish of the people OF the state
as expressed by the General Assembly?
The presumption of course is that the
| general assembly has been lawfully elect
ed and organized. that the proposed law
Is constitutional in its provisions, and thai
| its enactment Is not vitiated by any form
| of irreguarity In legislative procedure.
| If Mr.. Clement were elected governor
would he veto "any constitutional me ASSURE
Strengthening or modifying the existing
statute in any regard? II yes. how would
he justify the veto?
II MIR. Proctor were elected governor
would he veto a license measure? II yes
on what ground? What would be the mora
force and effect of the prohibitory law af
ter such an exercise of the one maj
power?'
1t seems to be incumbent on Mr.. Glen
ent and Mr.. Proctor to make clear thei
idea of their duty under the constitution
in the cases presented. Mr.. Clement Il
presented Mr.. Clement is doubtless homes
but mist aiken in his political views on thi
subject His business view, as espresso
by his regulations affecting the habits o
his railway employees. Is In close accord
ance with the principle of prohibition. 7
. Mr.. Proctor's letter attaches the faint o
buncomhe, the suspicion Of bid for vote
in a pressing emergency. General McCul
loghs letter presents the view of juris
rather than a crafty politician bidding TO
political support 1t is the fearless expires
, sion Of a man who disdans to dissin
ulate, who would rather be right than b
governor.
The diligent employment Of the perver'
Z ing process, the incessant chatter G
. 'straddle' by the magpies Of the Procto
high license, local option press, is ampl
evidence Of the truth. of the strength an
firmness. Of McCulough's position in IN
matter in question. 1t is up to his riva
l to match him in the manly honesty an
, independence of his declarations