Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-07-31
The Democratic State Convention.


noteworthy assemblage of the Vermont
democracy since that of 1892 in which
eliminated the famous revolution against
the Atkins and Smalley regime. The over
shadowing issue was whether or not the
democrats should have a straight ticket of
their own, and the convention merely wit
| messed the conclusion of the struggle over
this question which was begun the night
before and continued throughout the morn
ing.
| Looked at from a purely dislnterested
standpoint, the Vermont democrats pur-
sued a course entirely logical and con-
sistent with their past as well as with the
best interests of their party in the future
| AS was so ably and conclusivey shown in
the convention the boiling republican can
didate had stood opposed to every plank
of the democratic platform just adopted
practically except that dealing with the
liquor question and it Is significant that the
democratic plank opposes a referendum for
which both the regular republican and the
| boiling Clement men call In their State
| platforms. There was therefore nothing in
common between the democrats and the
renegade republicans, except opposition to
the prohibitory law. whereas the democrats
deal in their declaration of principles with
| both national questions and various State
issues, in relation to both of which they
are diametrically opposed to the position
of the republican bolter.
These differences were effectively shown
in the bitter speeches in which democratic
orators arraigned Percival ". Clement for
his opposition to the interests of the COM
mon people in opposing two cent mileage
on railroads; in expressing his employees
and in antagonizing the interests of la
Dor, both union and otherwise. as an en-
ployer as well as in his capacity as a legis-
lator; in promoting as a member in sue
cession of both branches of tho General
Assembly various influences which he now
processes to condemn in declaring his
pride in the national achievements of the
Republican party, and finally in his sup
port of the republican prohibition party of
Vermont up to the beginning OF his recent
campaign
Some of the democratic leaders were
smart enough to see that they could ac-
and local option by voting for their can
didate as in supporting a renegade repub-
lican since it will be the Legislature
that will make the laws and not the COVER
nor. They realized that as a party they
had nothing in reality to gain from an en-
dorsement OF Clement, but everything to
lose, and in future years the democrats
will unquestionably thank their fates that
they were saved from practical fusion with
boiling republican.
Viewed from the position OF Mr.. Clement,
the action of the State democratic conven-
ton can hardly be regarded as satisfac-
tory, particularly when one takes into con-
; sderation some Of the reasons urged why
his candidacy should not be endorsed. His
supporters have publicly claimed that he
did not desire the endorsement OF the DEM
ocrats, but this position is hardly consist
ent with things that have been going on
under the surface Of affairs. In the first
place democratic lieutenants of Clement
have been securing the State for some time
in the interest of their chief, and one Of the
movements promoted has been the support
Of Clement by democrats. Democrats were
the first to learn Of Clements determina-
ton to bolt. and it was stated that his
course depended in part upon the extent to
which he could rely upon that party for
cooperation. 1t is also significant that
Clement appeared upon the scene of CON
after hurried consultation with lieuten-
ants and sympathizers, both democratic
and republican, fitted out of town again
with the apparent purpose of not appear
ing to participate in democratic councils.
Moreover, Clements candidacy must now
stand on its own bottom. Hitherto he has
used the local option organization, which
includes both democrats and republicans,
to promote his own ends. Hereafter he
must allow the democrats to go their own
way, seeking the immediate repeal of the
prohibition law and the passage of new
license law without reference to the people
while he advocates a referendum in COM
J mon with the regular republicans. He can
not work through the democratic organiza-
ton as would have been the case, had he
been nominated for the governorship by
tHe ueVioCTatS, anu last Dut not ledSt, tIlt
democrats have furnished unanswerable
arguments why he should not be supported
by the common people of either party. ano
particularly by laborng men.
Members Of the republican party conse.
quently have every reason to be satisfied
with the course taken by the democratic
convention. and this the more since thC
most the opponents OF the regular republ
t can ticket can hope for now even under tn,
l most favorable circumstances is to throw
the governor contest into the Legislature
which Is certain to be republican. In tn,
G meantime, the governorship contest having
been resolved into its natural elements anC
:, the situation having been relieved OF it.
s misrepresentation and uncertainties tn,
= people are now free to devote their attention
to the election of a State ticket on the on,
q hand and on the other the promotion OF al
g honest referendum on the liquor question.
CTTCDC CDOM TUE DrODI