Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1902-07-18
THE CLEMENT BOLT.

A certain number Of gentlemen VINO
claimed to belong to the Vermont Local
Option League met in socalled mass
convention at Burlington, Wednesday,
the 10th, and nominated MIR. Percival w.
Clement of Rutland for governor, and
F. w. Agan of Ludlow for lieutenant
governor of Vermont. both of whom ac-
cepted the nominations, Mr.. Clement In
a somewhat extended speech.
1t is noticeable that Mr.. Clement is the
same .gentleman who posed as candidate
for governor before the State convention
at Montpelier, June 10, and received on
the first ballot 22l votes, the same on the
second; but at this time it becoming evil
dent that the Mccullough and Proctor
forces were about to unite, Clements
delegates left the hall, together with the
Rutland band, which, out of great re-
spect for Mr.. Clement, had volunteered
its services for the occasion, and with
music playing and banners flying, tr-
umphantly marched to one of Mr.. Glenn
ent's palace cars that stood near the
depot, and there, under the active leader
ship of Mr.. Clement and Mr.. Jones,
another Rutland citizen whose great
friendship for Mr.. Clement leads him to
spend much of his time in advancing his
(Mr. Clement's) political aspirations,
proceeded to organize bolt.
1t is here noticeable that so long as
there seemed to be chance that Mr.
Clement might be the nominee of this
convention, the convention was all right
with his supporters; but when that con-
vention, in as open and manly way as
possible, plainly showed that it was
about to unite on another candidate, the
unpleasantness began. 1t is, of course,
useless for these gentlemen, at so late
an hour, to air their virtues against
convention of which they remained an
active part until it became evident that
their candidate could not win. There is
nobody in Vermont who will be hum
bugged in this matter.
y few, headed by Mr.. Jones, in their
great admiration of Mr.. Clement, may
continue to follow his political fortunes,
whether they lead to palace car or
ditch, but the great majority of Vermont
votershwill fail to see any good reasons
why they should follow the fortunes or
have. any special admiration for man
who bolts the action of a political con-
vention, solely because and only because
1t had nominated one of his rivals.
Nor does the REGISTER think that
many of our fellow citizens who may
belong Ito the Local Option League or
think that they sympathize more or
less with its object, will care to follow
Mr.. Clement in so questionable and I'M
caled;for course.
They cer tainly will not do this in Ad-
Olson County, but will stay with the
party, and if they think there is truth in
any of the charges brought against its
management by Mr.. Clement, at the
proper time, and in the proper way,within
the party take hold and correct the evils.
However great Mr.. Clements estimate of
himself may be, no one else, unless pos,
sibly Mr.. Jones, supposes that he is the
OnlyimaD that has the virtue, or ability
to remedy evils which may have crept in
or maybe inclined to creep into the man
agement of our state affairs.
The great body of republicans have
certainly as much confidence in the honor,
uprightness and ability of Gen. McCul-
Tough, whom they have chosen this year
as their standard bearer, as they have in
Mr.. Clement They fully believe that he
will!scheerfully and most willingly sign
and.assist in the passage of any law that
willIbenefit either the morals or the bust
nessI interests of our commonwealth and
after that they will depend upon them
selves to select representatives who will
conscientiously and carefully look into
thesdifierent important subjects coming
up in the legislature this fall and enact
such laws in regard to them as are
demanded. Give us a good legislature |
and we will get along without Mr.. |
Clement.