Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-08-14
The Chief Issues of the Campaign.

Some of the democrats have been seeking
to convey the impression that the repuhli-
can leaders were endeavoring to make ma
tional issues paramount in the Vermont
campaign and thus overshadow state af-
fairs. Before the gubernatorial campaign
was opened last week, it was an easy mat
ter for any man to make any statement
of this character and have the same ac-
copied as true; for there was little that
appeared to the contrary Now that the
canvass has been formally begun, however
IL becomes evident that the republicans
will not dodge single issue raised either
by democrat or by republican bolter. Every
question before the people is to be dis
cusscd whether national, State or local,
and the opposition will be met at every
point.
The most conspicuous fact that has been
developed in connection with the republi-
can bolt is that the bolt is founded upon
mass Of misrepresentation. At the very
outset the bolter-in chief raised the cry
that the republican delegates at Montpelier
were not sincere in adopting a referendum
plank. and that the party did not mean to
carry out the promise implied therein. Tie
opening of the campaign finds the candi-
dates for State office standing squarely up
on the State platform.
The republican platform and republican
candidates being In favor of a referendum.
the only issue on this point in Vermont at
the present time is whether there shall be
referendum, as demanded by both the re-
publican convention and the bolters OF
whctherthe prohibtorylaw shall he repeal
ed and license andlocal option law passed
at once, as demanded by the democrats
in their platform. The platform of the Rut-
land candidate declares in favor of a refer
endum. and II he stands by his colors. he
can do nothing more than is promised by
the republicans. namely, submit the ques-
ton to the people.
There is no quarrel on this point there
fore, between regular and boiling ropubi-
cans, for both favor n referendum. If the
republicans win or If the boilers are sue
ccssful the logical result will be refer
endum. II the democrats should win, il
would mean A mandate from the people In
favor of the immediate repeal of prohibi-
ton and the substitution therefor of L.
ccnse and local option law. So much may
be said for one issue.
Another issue handled by the bolter-in.
chief in his public address was the CUES
ton OF State expenses. He charged whole
sale corruption against the republican gov
ernment, and cndeavored to convey thu
impression that his election would near
reform In this respect. These charge:
were reiterated over and over again anc
copied into various papers in the large
cities. thus creating the impression thai
Vermonts government had become cor
rupt. In his speech in Burlington, til,
holter in chief said:
The State has really nothing to show To-
these tremendous annual expenditures. Tn
money is used by the machine and by on,
channel or another a good share of it find
its way into the pockets of these men wh'
undertake to run the republican politica
organization of the state"
The Hon. J. l.. Martin in the course o
his arraiGnment of the renegade republica,
leader called upon the latter to produce
single public official of this State who ha
taken a dollar Of public money unlawfully
wheroupon the newspaper organ of tn
: hoterin-chef "crawled" as gracefully a