Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-07-10
THE GOVERNOR CAMPAIGN.
Clemont's Candidacy From Local OPP
tlon Point Of View.
(rrom the Bennington Reformcr.)

(From the bennington RefOrmer.)
Whether or not p. w. Clement wants to
run in opposition to the candidate of the
convention in which Mr. Clement was de-
feated, there Is no longer any question
but that Joe Jones. Mason Greene and
other close supporters of the Rutland man
are doing their best to force him into the
field. In this effort they are being sec
onded quite solidly by the democrats,
which has led to the belief in some quar-
ters that Mr.. Clement will be the candi-
date of fusion of democrats and personal
admirers of Clement
The Reformer has no quarrel with those
who would like to see Mr.. Clement COVER
nor of Vermont. He has just as good a
right to strive for the honor as any other
man. but as believer in local option 1T
regrets to see row started that there is
good reason for believing will offset all
that has been gained for local option and
result in saddlng the prohibitory law on
the state for another term of years. The
reason for this is 50 plain as to be indis-
putable
The ultimate success of local option
law is wholly dependent on the legislature.
With Clement not candidate. the issue
in the election of representatives this fall
will be simply between local option and
prohibition and the result will be assured
Not so If Clement is in the field on an in
dependent or fusion ticket There will
then be a triangular contest in practically
every town in Vermont.
| On one side will be the straight out party
republicans who believe in always stand
ing by the ticket and who will be especially
bitter against Clement for his effort tc
! split the republican party. To these thich
| and thin republicans will be added a large
| class oil voters who are opposed to license
! but believe that the voters should he givef
/ a chance to express themselves and tht
/ 4. - h. .rtt
| Another group in the contest will be thu
supporters of the present prohibitory law
who are opposed to risking defeat fol
their pet law by submitting the question
to the voters. This group is large one
and would give the supporters of local op
ton a hot fight even were they united
| What 1t can do with the opposition dvidct
is a plain. cold proposition that the elem
ent mon should take into consideration be
fore they take final action
| The third side of the triangle is mad
up of those who wish Mr.. Clement to run
either Independently or In fusion with the
democrats. This group is made up Of scv
eral factions. one faction wants Mr.
Clement to run because he is the man wh'
has brought about the tidal wave an'
| wants him to reap the harvest from tn
| seed he has sown. A second fac ton il
made up of those who want a license Law
without local option. who don't want
|
lost and who do not like the ~ publican
platform because it isn't radical enough
| to suit them. a third and by far tn
largest faction calling for Clement, is com
posed of the democrats who are consistcn
believers in local option and who want &
see it successful but are a great deal NOR
Interested in eGRinG Clement on to run Il
a means of breaking up the Overwhelming
republican majority in Vermont. No pc
sition could he more logical than theirs
nor from their standpoint more laudable
In such a three sided contest. with tn
supporters of license and local option di
vded. bad feeling would be engendered an
the only ores that would profit by In
contest would be the supporters of IN
present law. Each Of the three partie
would win some towns and the fight woul
be carried to the legislature with all tn
added bitterness that will accrue to tn
defeated ones in the gubernatorial contes
The result is easy to foresee The sur
portcrs of the present law will be unite
and aggressive while the opponents Of pre-
hibition will represent all shades Of belle
from simple referendum of an abstraC
, question, South Carolina dispensary sys
TEN, various phases and degrees of licens
, down to bowling advocates of free rum.
will be exceedingly difficult. and probabl
impossible. to get the various theories tc
gether in support of one measure and tn
campaign will have been in vain as far a
this year is concerned
This can largely be avoided If Clomer
will refuse to let his sore spot loom large
, than his common sense. The opponent
of the present law can then work togethe
They could not all agree but there woul
be no relentless fight among them and II
prohibitory law would be doomed TT
greatest menace to the success of loo.
option al present is the proposition to ri
Clement against Mccullough. The on
! come is awaited with interest.