Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1902-05-26
NC CULLOUGH AND PROHIBITION.

May be permitted space in your
paper to express my views in the
present governorship canvass as
affected by the question of Prohibition
VS.. License? This is asked because
of many letters recently received by
me inquiring as to my attitude in the
matter and the reasons which actuate
me; otherwise it would not seem
important to project my ideas into
this contest.
Before Mr.. Proctor appeared as
candidate and the contest was mar
rowed down to Mccullough or Webb,
the people of this state had largely
made their selection, and in the main,
the friends of prohibition had
accepted General Mccullough and
the friends of license had naturally
selected Colonel Webb. When Mr..
Proctor had appeared and Colonel
Webb had retired, the lines remained
in large part unchanged, the friends
of Colonel Webb becoming, for the
most part, the champions of Mr..
Proctor. Thus it happened that the
license advocates found themselves
supporting a friend of prohibition.
The appearance of Mr.. Clement
gave them a chance to re. align, but
as rule they have remained stead
fast. They have said, and rightfully
enough, that in this governorship
contest the liquor law is not in issue.
Mr.. Clement says it is, but the great
bulk of the republican voters say it
is not.
General McCulloug b was considered
safe man for the friends of prohi-
bition when one of the candidates
was a license man. l believe Mr..
Proctor, of himself, to be just as safe,
but what of his present political en-
vironment? His success would mean
the triumph of the leading advocates
of license, and they would be found
prominent among the men surround
ing him and would rightfully claim
proper recognition from and influence
over his administration.
A careful, candid scrutiny of the
field will satisfy the anxious inquirer
for the truth as to which candidate, if
successful, will bring with him the
greater retinue of staunch, strong and
able friends of the present law and
which the greater number of its ag.
gressive, determined foes. The pres
ent law will receive no harm from
either Mccullough or Proctor. Both
are clean, straightforward, trust
worthy gentlemen, loyal to the best
interests of Vermont. Friends of
prohibition who favor Gen. McCul-
Tough are as respects these two men
only, making no mistake. Those who
support the latter find themselves in
very good company.
Confning ourselves to our past
chief executives and excluding the
two who are now our honored
senator's, this is their alignment:
Ex- Governors Holbrook, Hendee,
Stewart, Farnham, Barstow, Pingree,
Ormsbee and Page, with Governor
Stickney, are all supporters of the
present liquor law and of the candi-
dacy of General Mccullough. 1 might
add to this long list of men distin-
guished in every walk of life who are
similarly supporters of each-the law
and the man. We have trusted in
their leadership in times past and
have not suffered; we need have nc
misgivings now. 1t is pleasant com
pany. am pleased to be found thus
associated and my judgment and my
pleasure join hands when 1 conclude
to remain with them.
Ex-Governors Woodbury., Grout
and Smith support Mr.. Proctor
Messrs. Woodbury. and Grout support
the law, Mr.. Smith opposes it. Each
was supporter of Colonel Webb
who was license man, and each is 6
supporter of Mr.. Proctor who is not
Manifestly they did not consider the
Hquor queSIlon an ISSUE WneH Choy
made choice of their candidate either
time; and these friends of MIR. Proc
tor are juggling with our conscience
when they ask us to make it an issue
as between their candidate and Gen
Mccullough.
In electing delegates to the State
hn ho
they will not vote for license resolu
tions or license candidates; and il
nominating our senators and repre-
sentatives we must be likewise vigi
liant and firm. These matters are o
the utmost Importance. Let us no
be diverted from the real issue, tn
real work, and the real place for tina
work.
We can blace the able cultured