The Washington times., 1902-07-22
Republicans Divided, Have
Two Candidates in
the Field
FIGHT OVER HIGH LICENSE
Democrats Have No Chance Of Winning,
But May Name Governor-Mr. R. E.
Hath0rn, Former State Senator, Talks
OF Conditions.

Vermont is having a struggle with the
question Of prohibition. which has arisen
to trouble the politicians of the Green
Mountain State. For many years Yer
mont has been one of the dry Common
wealths. where it has been regarded a
crime both legally and morally to offer
for sale anything that would tend to in
toxicate. ---.... .r. -t.
There has, however, been growing for
a number of years a sentiment il favor
of high license and local option, and that
question has at last commanded sufficient
attention to become a burning issue in
the State at the gubernatorial election
this fall.
Equivalent to an Election.
Usually the Republican notninaton for
governor is equivalent to an election.
Vermont having a normal Republican
majority of from $4,000 to 10000. Still,
the Democrats have, with the persist
cnce. regularity, and courage that re-
tuse to be cast down by defeat. main
tained their organization and nominated
their candidate -'- p. "'
Even now there is no opportunity fo-
them to elect their candidate. with the
enemy divided, but they have the salts
facion of knowing that the issue for
which they have long stood is the issue
of the day in the State, and the action
which they take will have an important
bearing upon the result next November.
A strange paradox exists. If the Dem
ocrats indorse the independent caDdi-
date for governor. Mr.. Pcrcival Clement,
of Rutland, who stands for local option.
the Democratic issue. Mr.. Mccullough,
the regular Republican, Kill doubtless
be elected, for the reason that saany
Democrats would not vote for a Re-
publican, and with only two candidates
in the field the regular Republican
would probably win.
But If the Democrats have a ,andi-
date Mr.. Clement stands a good chance
of being the next governor of the Green
Mountain State. With three candidates
in the field it is figured that no one
would have a majority. and the election
would thus be thrown into .he Legisla-
ture, and there Mr.. Clement is thought
to have better chance of winning than
would his Republican opponent.
An Exciting Figit.
The fight is the most exciting the
State has witnessed for many years.
said Mr.. r. E. Hathorn. former mem
ber of the State senate, last night at
the Ebbitt House.
when the canvass for the nomination
for governor opened up, Mr.. j. C. Nc
Cullcugh and DR.. Webb were the lead
ing candidates. Much was said about
both being residents of New York city
rather than Of Vermont, and perhaps
rightfully so. for both maintain ex-
pensive residences there. and in the case
OF Mr.. McCulloush. his address is print
ed as New York on the circulars ami
time tables of the railroads Of which he
Is president and director. -.-o 80 -.
Then young Mr.. Proctor entered the
contest as an avowed prohibitionist. He
finally threw his strength TO McCul-
Tough. however, who was nominated at
The regular convention, from which the
Clement men withdrew after, to their
surprise, plank had been inserted in
The platform petitioring the Legisla-
ture for high license and local option.
Vermont has long had a prohibition
law. and some OF the back towns knew
nothing but prohibition. and orce license
is mentioned, the person who does 50
is termed 'rummie,'
,a Local Option in Favor.
However, local option sentiment is
growing. Local option clubs are being
organized throughout the State and are
gstting 4 strong following Heretofore
when bill was introduced in the Legis-
lature TO repeal the prohibition law 1t
was always defeated by the members
from the small towns.
Mr.. Clement, who has been nomi-
mated as an Independent candidate for
governor by the Local option League.
was not originally a candidate for the
goyernorship, but was inclined to be
satisfied with the plank in the platform
petitioning the Legislature.
"He has always been strong license
man and was urged by local option peo-
pie all over the State to become can
didate against Mccullough, and finally
yielded.
MANY Democrats favor indorsing
him, but others refuse to vote for any
Republican. and insist uDon their own
candidate, asserting that the Democratic
party has always stood for local op-
tion, and that they do not intend 10 sur
II.
issue is to be brought squarely before
the people.
Legislature May Act.
"If the Democrats run a candidate
the election will probably be thrown
in for under the YER
t. must receive a
least or the choice