Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-10-30

would be sure of three things:
t'irst-Pure liquors for medicinal or
mechanical purposes or to drink.
Second-That the profits would all go
to the people
| Tbird-1hat the people of each town
pr city could at all times regulate how
much liquors should be sold.
THE DUTY OF OUR LEGISLATORS.
UTrom the North Troy Paladium)
For more than two score years the Re-
publican party of Vermont has support
Ell and stood by those great moral ques-
tons which have made our people noted
for nobility of character. and given the
state prestige far beyond its relative
size, wealth or population. 1t has al
ways commanded the confidence of the
people, because IL has kept its faith with
them.
| Prior to our recent state election some
republicans were I'm favor of opposing the
referendum plank in the republican plat
form; but at that election on the second
day of September 1t was demonstrated
that the high license local option, and
the democratic vote, combined was in ex-
cess of the straight republican vote. The
republicans are In favor of prohibition
ana law, somewhat modified from the
present. on that subject, while the other
two mentioned parties are in favor Of
| license.
pledged to referendum. Thousands OF
earnest intelligent voters. most of whom
are themselves opposed to high license
In any form, are waiting to see it fulnll
! It's promise and redeem its pledge.
Their future votes will be governed by
its action in this matter. No great party
ran afford TO break faith with the peo-
! pie; the Republican party is too honor.
able to desire to. We regard 1t the duty
of the representatives and senators from
this and other counties to support "A good
prohibition law; such an one as will COM
mend itself to the people when the refer
cndum comes before them, and then to
support a reasonable local option meas
ure to be submitted by way of referen-
dunn We understand this to be the view
of substantially all of the loading repub
leans, who have been and now are inter-
ested in the cause of temperance.
REDUCING THE PRICE OF WEST
ERN BEEF.
O'rom the Landwark)
! The Rutland Evening News claims that
beef can be purchased more cheaply in
the markets of that city than anywhere
else in the country, with few exceptions.
This is due to the fact" says the News
that the farmers in this vicinity have
begun the raising of beef for the markets
to quite an extent and have therefore
compelled the trust. or combination of
Western packers which controls the beef
| market, to sell at n much smaller price
than they would otherwise"
Now if the farmers of Rutland county
! by home competition can reduce the
price asked for Western beef and still
furnish supplies to local markets at a
profit, why cannot the farmers Of Wind
sor county do the same thing? Owing to
/ the high price Of meats. the demand has
fallen off within the last year. People
even in moderate circumstances cannot
afford to buy as they might desire. With
beef at former rates the consumption
would increase We believe that there is
a demand all over New England for
meats produced at home, and cattle rails
ing in all probability would pay our
farmers fair profit.
FOR PuRER POLITICS.
('rom the Montpelier Argus.)
Caucuses and conventions will be more
strinEcntlv guarded in Vermont after this
session is ended. and elections will be
more carefully looked after. There has
developed realizing sense that every
thing has not been so honest as it should
| have been and Il determination to remove
some of the opportunities for corruption.
| senator Emery'S hill provides that no per
| son shall, to promote nomination in
caucus, convention, or by nomination
| paper. directly or indirectly give, pay, ex-
| pend. contribute. or promise. any money
or other valuable thing except for per-
| soral expenses as follows: Travel print
| ing, writing, or preparing letters, crcu-
| tars or other publications. not issued at
regular intervals. stationery, postage.
telegraph tolls. telephone or messenger
tolls and other petty personal expenses,
Publishers of newspapers must not sup
port a candidate for compensation, direct
| or indirect.
| This touches the prime evil of the eau
| Gus. When the use of money is forbidden
the caucus Will be managed by men who
| take legitimate interest in politics. The
"enal and purchaseable will not attend
when there Is nothing to be made. They
will keep away and leave the caucus, and
the convention as we'll, to those whose in
tcrest IN such matters Is above what per-
sonal gain may accrue to them
The prohibition against newspapers re-
| ceiving compensation for supporting a
! candidate is needed.
If the Emery bill shall become law it
will be for the benefit OF Vermont and
will result in cleaner politics
This Legislature has really walked up
to the situation The members have re-
fused to shut their eyes to plain facts.
The unequivocal statements made in the
Senate debate that there was corruption
in town elections the citing of instances.
the declaration that the majority require
ment was responsible for it. caused a sem
| Sation. Such talk has not been heard in
the Vermont Legislature in years. 1T has
been the custom to laud Nermonters for
their political virtues ana to refuse to adj
NIT that there was any crookedness in
the politics of the State.
Frank recognition of existing evils is
the first step toward curing them