Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1902-05-15

the prohibitory law. l am and always
have been in favor of it, and | have
always so voted when in the leglsla-
ture. / believe that it is better suited
to promote the welfare and sobriety OF
our State than any scheme OF license.
Yours very truly,
(Signed) FLETCHER ID. PROCTOR.
Proctor, VT, April 16, 1902.
Whereupon, this correspondence
was duly turned over to the McCul-
Tough press and eagerly caught up by
it as text for editorial criticism and
denunciation.
Mr.. Proctor is condemned by these
partisans because he failed to answer,
categorically, the question put to him.
He is called a ''straddler," and the
Mccullough press has done its best to
make him out as bad as its own can
didate is admitted to be.
Now it is utterly useless for Mr..
Proctor to try to satisfy those who are
working tooth and nail TO compass his
defeat Whatever he says and does is
bound to be criticised, in the hope of
prejudicing him before the voters. But
the voters are not so unreasonable,
and, we are confident, win view his
action in this matter as it is entitled
to be viewed.
Mr.. Proctor is not dodger, af-
ter the Mccullough stripe. He has
always been consistently in favor OF
prohibition. When in the legislature
he has always voted for it. McCul-
Tough has never voted for prohibition.
During the last session, although the
speaker is excused from voting unless
he chooses, Mr.. Proctor directed that
his name be called on the license bill
and voted against it. That act spoke
more than volumes of words and
promises Mr.. Proctor has always
been a temperance man, and is a total
from the use of alcoholics
himself. Wherever he has been, as a
private citizen, or as a public official,
his vote, his actions and his personal
influence have ever been thrown for
prohibition and against license. So
much for the intimation that Mr.. Proc
tor is not sincere or consistent now.
Now as to this Stiles correspondence,
there is nothing in it to deter any
friend of prohibition from giving his
support to Mr.. Proctor Who ever
thought OF quizzing William McKin-
ley as to what he would do, as presi-
dent, if free trade or free silver bill
should come to him ? His principles
were known, as evidenced by his
words and acts, and the knowledge
that he was firmly established on those
issues was of itself justification enough
for his followers. In this case, Mr..
Proctor simply submitted his creed to
the inquirer. He did enough What
is there in his past record on the liquor
question to raise even suspicion that
he will not, as governor, be true to
that creed? II a veto is required, who
doubts that he would not exercise it as
firmly as he has always acted in this
cause?
1t is unusual and undignifed for
for chief executive to say
in advance that he will or will not veto
any bill. The governor does not ini-
tate the laws, and is only required to
act on those bills that come to him at
ter passing both houses OF the legisla-
ture. For the governor to hold the
threat of veto or the promise of appro-
val over legislative body is an inter
ference with the rights and preroga-
tives of that branch of our govern
ment. He ought not to do it, and in
declining to accommodate his oppon-
ents now to the extent of opening
himself to their attacks, sure to be
made if he were to threaten with a veto
bills not even framed, or that never
may be framed, Mr.. Proctor has taken
the true course, with no sacrifice of his
own convictions.
Meanwhile, do not forget Gen. Nc
Cullough's attitude, which is that If
elected he will sink his own opinions.
if he has any, and rubber stamp any
thing that the legislature sends him in
the shape of liquor act. Ask your
selves, voters, which attitude you pre-
fer, Proctor's or McCullough's.
Bostonian Plan for Old Home Week.
The Vermont association of Boston
has decided upon a delightful trip Tor
the coming Old Home Week ceiebra-
tion. The party viii leave Boston
Monday morning, Aug. III, via the
Fitchburg railroad and Hoosic Tunnel
route ana arrive in Saratoga, n. Y.
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