The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1902-05-07
IT'S PRACTICAL BEARING.

send him for the regulation of the
traffic in liquor
In respect of the practical aspects
of the matter: 1t is easy for candi-
date to talk big for partisan political
effect on the question of his nomina-
ton or election to the governorship.
But when the candidate is invested
with the duties and responsibilities
of office the case would be diff
ferent. Any candidate, in the office
of Governor must needs conform his
action to the requirements of the
Constitution, must execute the laws
the General Assembly has enacted
and which have had executive APP
proval His administration of the
duties of the office or his influence on
different from that of any other candi-
date, had he been passed along to the
executive chamber. When "the
shouting and the. tumult dies" it
will be seen that it was all for parti-
san effect The candidate chosen,
whether he is in favor of prohibition
or license in any form, will obey the
Constitution, in accordance with his
oath The candidate is wise who
plants his feet on this supreme re-
quirement, who recognizes his obliga-
ton, under the Constitution, to respect
the wish of the people as expressed
by the General Assembly. One can
didate no more than another, if elect
ed Governor, can impress his personal
views or opinions on legislation. He
will stand on his side the government
fence and catch pretty much what
the legislative body losses over to
him for his consideration and action.
Any other course would be revolu-
tionary and would be promptly re-
buked by the General Assembly.
General Mccullough is the only one
of the three candidates for Governor
who has the right view of the duty Of
the Chief Executive in the case pre-
sented, and who has had the courage
and honesty frankly to declare it. For
this the people will respect him.
They will see in the judicial sound
ness Of his view of the duty of the
Governor and his calm and clear ex-
preston of his sense of duty very de-
sirable and vitality important qualities
in the officer at the head of the gov
eminent. 1t is a view which rests
upon fundamental wisdom in politics
as we'll as morals. Citizens who are
not moved by the idle winds of mis-
representation and partisan distor-
ton, who resent the maltreatment to
which Gen. Mccullough and his ut
terance on the subject of temperance
legislation has been subjected, will
find new reasons for clinging to him,
and those who have not been for him
hitherto will be coming to the side of
his supporters.
Now, when the real battle for the
continuance of the system of regula-
ton of the liquor traffic Vermont
adopted fifty years ago is on, upon
whom are its friends to depend for
their championships Messenger of st.
Adams, the News of Burlington, the
Argus and Patriot of Montpelier the
rampant advocates of license in any
of its forms, now opposing the nomi-
nation of General Mccullough because
Of his stand on the question of temper
ance legislation? Are they going to
look for help to these papers, and the
men and influences with whom they
are allied? Or are they going to APP
peal to the men and newspapers fore
most i'll the support of Mccullough
for aid whenever temperance legisla-
ton is proposed; for help whenever
license is clamoring for the sanction
of law; whenever the enforcement of
law is the matter at stake?
The Waterman and Journal has
earned the right to put these ques-
tions to temperance people and warn
them against playing into the hands
of their enemy
In General McOullough's personal
character and habits, in all his life
long associations, there is assurance a
thousand fold stronger than words
that, as Governor, neither the tenn
perance cause nor any other good
cause will suffer detriment at his
hands. No one better understands
this fact than the rum people who are
now violently assailing him-for po-
litical effect solely. The people of
Vermont will be party to no such in
famous conspiracy against one of Yer
mont's best and most eminent citi-
zens. The official representatives of
organized temperance reform regard
Mccullough as entirely safe and the
foremost spokesman of the temperance
cause are for this candidate in this
canvass
These are the indisputable facts of
the situation, and temperance men
everywhere, of any condition of be-