Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-05-01
The GOVERN WORSHIP
What Another Prohibition Newspaper
Thinks Of the License Messengers
Attacks on Mccullough.
(From the Mortified News.)

The latest attempt to make capital for
Mr.. Proctor's candidacy Is the movement
originated by strong opponents OF the pro-
hibitory law to prejudice its supporters
against General Mccullough. This move
ment seems to have been put in charge
of the st. Adams Messenger which 10 per-
haps the strongest newspaper opponent Of
the present liquor law.
Suddenly the Messenger becomes alarm
ed for the safety Of the prohibition law
in case of the election of General McCul-
Tough to the Governorship; the Burling-
ton News. another pronounced opponent Of
the law also processes to the same feeling
of concern, while the lesser lights in the
Proctor newspaper field join in the chorus
The Messenger and News had no such
anxiety while DR.. Webb, pronounced
high license advocate was in the field.
In fact they repeatedly stated that the
governorship canvass had nothing to do
with the liquor question.
1t is assumed by these journals that Cen
eral Mccullough Is not in favor of the
prohibitory law 1t Is possible that he does
not agree with it in all respects; the News
does not know and does not regard II of
vital importance to tn. law that a COVER
nor should endorse it in every particular.
1t has often happened in the past that
governors did not agree with it in all its
provisions, but 1t was never before, to the
y
to interrogate a gubernatorial candidate on
this point Raising this question at the pres
ent time Is not done in good faith. II Is, as
stated above, the work of opponents of
the prohibitory law who are Impoverished
for an issue against General Mccullough $
candidacy. They are now supporting Mr..
Proctor, not because he favors prohibition,
but 50 far as his leading advocates are
concerned, for selfish political ends.
General McCulloughs letter published In
another column will set at rest all doubt
as to his position on this matter If he Is
elected governor. lie liz consistent In this
letter, an General Mccullough has never
attempted to be dictator. He will accede
to the action of the Legislature In what
ever the representatives fresh from the
people may deem advisable, as governors
have previously done on this important
question. 1t would really be impossible for
Mr.. Proctor as governor to do more In the
interest of the law than is stated by Cen
eral Mccullough, no matter how loud he
may talk on the subject now. lie might
even do less.
In saying this the News has no dis
position to question the sincerity of Mr..
Proctor as prohibitiOnist, but 1t must be
remembered that he owes his candidacy at
this time principally to the efforts of ex-
Governor Smith. Congressman Foster and
Captain Morse, all ardent opponents of The
present law. If he should be elected gov
ernor he could not feel otherwise than UNI
der deep obligations to them and would be
bound to be influenced to a greater or less
extent by them. Therefore II the liquor
question must be brought under considera-
ton in the governorship canvass which is
only necessary except as the Proctor sup
porters hope to make some political capt.
tai out of 1t, then General Mccullough is
at least as safe a man to support.
The News does not know the exact views
Of General Mccullough upon the prohi
ton law. 1t does know, however, that he