Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-05-22
CLEMENTS APPEAL
Earnest Address on Change in
Prohibitory Law.
Opera House Filled to Overlooking
with an Audience Apparently Fully
in Accord with His Ideas
Music by Quartette.

The Hon Percival w. Clement Of Rut-
land candidate for governor on license,
| LEGAL option PLATFORM spoke Friday night
at the Howard Opera House to An audi
encc that taxed the capacity of the build
| ing Intense interest was manifested
throughout the entire evening, Mr. Glenn
| cnt handling his subject in such an earn
est manner that those present could not
| fail to see that he was in the race with a
| firm determination to do all in his power
to secure the overthrow of the present
! law. The audience was composed mostly
of men, although there was "A large sprink-
| ling Of women who seemed thoroughly in
| terested in the remarks.
Shermans band played several selections
in front of the opera house before Mr..
! Clement came to the hall from his private
car. The music was not needed to draw
a crowd as the streets were lined before
they began to play.
| When the curtain was raised there were
| seated upon the stage about 80 business
and professional men of the city. many
of whom wore Clement buttons on their
coat lapels. Every seat and the aislcs were
filled. There were fully 1900 people IN the
opera house and many went away.
The exercises were opened with singing
Iby colorcd male quartctte and they were
cncored several times. Upon the conClu-
sion of their selections Mr.. Clement, ac-
companied by Mayor D. c. Hawlcy and
f. G. Harrington, crossed the stage amid
a burst OF applause.
Mr.. Clement was attired in full evening
dress. lie confined himself in the main to
manuscript. but frequently left it to tell
humorous stories.
Mayor Hawley introduced Mr.. Clement,
saying: THE subject of controlling the
sale of Intoxicating liquor is one of vital
interest. Whether we favor one law or an
other it is fitting that we should hear the
subject discussed on all sides. We have
with us tonight gentleman who has very
decided opinions on the matter who will
| speak to you.'
Mr.. Clement said in substance: 1t Is the
| function Of government to control the IN
diVidual as little as possible. allowing him
the greatest freedom in all directions, and
only limiting his action where it interfere
with the rights of others. Prohibition can
be justified only when intcmperance OK
lists in community to such an extent as
to become a burden upon society, against
which society has a right to protect itself,
such condition of things never has cX-
listed in Vermont. and does not exist to-
day. Therefore. State prohibition is not
justified. Even if it did exist it would he
necessary in order to justify so arbitrary d
measure, to show that prohibition is tht
proper remedy. to show that prohibition is
good for something.
The prohibitionist is in this position
he must first prove n condition precedent
to justify the remedy which he proposes
and in the second place, he must show that
his remedy has merit"
He explained somewhat in detail the
workings OF the law in it's administration
and then showed how a license-local cp
, tion law would operate using as an eX
ample the general provisions of the Massa
chusetts law.
He undertakes to prove that prohibition
does not prohibit in Maine, New Hampshire
Kansas or North Dakota. the other Am
erican States where prohibition Is the Law
at the present time.
In answer to the claim of other candi.
dates that the election of a governor who
favors license. wouldn't influence the re-
peal Of the law. Mr.. Clement SAYS, that
such an election would indicate the senti.
ment Of the state in exactly the same way
that the election Of Mckinley in 1896 midi.
Gated the sentiment of the country JUROR
the question of tariff Mckinley could not
pass the tariff bill neither could ne pass
law making gold the standard of value ir
the United States 1t required the actor
of the senators ana representatives, Assem-
BLEED in Congress to form that legislat IN
E Nevertheless, the fight was made upon the
. election OF the President, and the sam,
n rule holds good in Vermont to-day"
: He states that there has been no issue il
y any guhernatorial campaign for more tina,
e 10 years, except the personal one, and IL
!. says the License Local option League de
l. serves the thanks of Vermont for bringins
- one live issue INTO one campaign. He alst
= says that the political machine of Vernon
= Is against any agitation of this subject
4 fearing lest it may lose control of the re
!, publican organization of the state.
y. He donounoeS the Vermont Anti-Saloor
- League for hlacklstinG the legislators o
. Vermont for voting for license and to re
fer the question to the people. He say
= that tho only apparent reason for its cX
. istencc Is to act as spoilers and spies, am