St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1902-06-11
POLITICAL COM MENT.



The fact to be recognized is that the
Clement sentiment has gainei such head
wav and has developed such support ID
nearly all parts OF the state as would
| have been accounted impossible tetore
! Mr.. Clements dramatic entrance upon
the fed, 1t is to be borne in mind that
besides his personal addresses in the
larger towns, systematic work Is beng
dore for him in the smaller towns. 1t is
true that his canvass is based very
! LARGELY upon a series Of false assumptions
and a 81 atement of alleged facts and OF
condition OF things under the prohibit
! tory law which are not true. But this
| does not alter the tact that a public
sentiment exists which endorses this kind
of campaign. 1t shows state OF pub.
lie sentiment which is disposed to listen
to appeals OF this kind, aud the people OF
the state may as well recognize the fact
as it Is.
To friends and supporters OF the pro-
hibitory law, to the great body OF people
who sincerely believe that prohibition is
the best way to deal with the liquor evil,
the assumptions Of Mr.. Clement seem
to be wrong, and his followers to
be misguided in their zeal. But nothing
will be gained to the cause of temper
ance by seeing or claiming to see in the
Clement movement nothing but enmity
or disaster to that cause. The fact to
be met is that the siutuatun exists, and
the problems which it presents have
got to be worked out. The wise way
will be to meet these problems fairly,
temporarily, without profitless accusa-
tions or examinations, and without the
assumption that all the wrong is on one
side aud all the right on the other
TBrattleboro Phoenix.
Things TO BE Thankful for.
There are some things to be thankful
for, even in this campaign. We are re-
lieved from any contest over the office OF
secretary of state, which goes to Fred
Fleetwood of MorrisviIle without oppo-
ston And our members OF congress
will be returned for another term, with
out a protest from any quarter D. ].
Foster has grown rapidly with the OPP
portunites that have been afforded him,
and Klttredge Haskins has fulfilled all
expectations of his friends. Vermont is
well repres ented in both houses of con.
gress. Let peace re'gn- West Randolph
Herald and News.
A Caucus Law Needed.
The trouble with the caucuses here and
there in Vermont suggests once more the
ACCESSIBILITY of a caucus law.
That is, law to prevent voters of one
party taking part in the caucus of an
other party so as to control nomina-
lions there in favor of their own ticket
that is the packing OF caucuses by the
opposition.
The system now tor many years III use
in states more advanced politically than
Vermont provides that only those shall
be entitled to take part in caucus who
have registered for that purpose. 1t de-
mands that in applying tor registration
the elector shall declare the political
party in the primaries or caucuses Of
which said elector desires to participate.
II a man is registered his vote cannot be
refused and he has the same right to the
floor as any one else who is present and
registered. The law proceeds on the as
sumption that voters will register with
parties to which they belong. Having
registered, any voter may change his
registration as often as he likes.
This is all very simple and practical.
The sooner we adopt it in Vermont the
better Burlington News.