Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1902-05-09
FRrpA,, MAY Q, 1909.
High License, Prohibition,
or=What?

through a variety of mutations until IT
has assumed curious phase. Discus
sion is now conferred on its relations to
the prohibitory law, and its adherents
are being urged to support candidate
who is not in accord with all its provi-
sions,and whether in sympathy with any
of them or how many nobody knows;
aud it is not considered material even
by many honest supporters of the law.
This seems to be the situation; One
candidate (Proctor) is and always has
been strong advocate of the law. lie
has supported it in public and in private
life. His life has always been in ac-
cord with its teachings and purposes.
Another candidate (McCullough) is
not Cor may not be) as his supporters
put it in favor of all the provisions of
that law but whether he is in favor of
any of its provisions the public don't
know; and his adherents say it is not
material, /. e., it is none of the peoples
business. 1t is said that his life is con-
sistent with the purposes of that law,
This no one questions.
The third candidate (ClemenD is
frankly, openly and determinedly OPP
posed to the law. And his life is in ac-
cord with its principles and sound law
and morality generally. Indeed it is
said that he applies its principles to his
private life or business to such an eX-
tent as to make his position on the ques-
ton of prohibition inconsistent,
The opponents of Mr.. Proctor do not
question his sincerity as "a prohibitionist,
but say that he can do no more in its
behalf than could a governor who was
unfriendly to the law. This would be a
complete justification of senator in not
voting when the law was in issue be-
cause his vote was immaterial. 1t could
not determine the question one way or
the other. With an overwhelming ma
iority in favor of the law it is just as
well to send an enemy of the law to the
senate as friend to it because he could
not change the result of any question
relating to it. This is the trend of such
logic.
1t is said that it would not be cor
rect for a governor to apply the veto
power to prohibitory legislation against
the will of the people as expressed by
the legislature. But on subject like
prohibitory legislation bristling with
constitutional questions who would be
most likely to do it or to find excuses
for so doing, man who is friendly tC
that class of legislation, or one who is
unfriendly?
1t is said that Mccullough has stated
what his duty would be in respect &c
this class of legislation in statesman
like way. That may be so, and every
body knows that Proctor would follow
the same line of duty. In the latte
case it would be duty and inclination
walking hand in hand, and in tn,
former duty warning with inclination.
Doubtless Mr.. Clement also would no
question the correctness of the rule Of
action for the governor thus laid down
Suppose he should pledge himself t.
make it his rule of action if elected
governor He is an honorable man
frank and outspoken and exacting il
temperate living in his business, anC
correct in his own private life, would
he not at least be as safe man to sun
port according to much of the logic tina
is going?
1t is said that men who are oppose,
to prohibition are supporting Procto
who is unqualifedly in favor of it. Tina
is very true and so are some men wh
are in favor of prohibition supportin,
Mccullough, who is either qualfedly o
unqualifedly opposed to the law, an,
nobody seems to know which. Beside
these there are many men supporting
Proctor with whom this subject is not ell
trely determinatiye Of their preference
1t Is suggested too that some of MI
Proctor's supporters are looking t
selfish political ends. This is a polit
cal assertion without specifications. Blu
it would be singular if this was not 81
Those things are incidental to the bes
designs. If anybody thinks that tn
same conditions are not common to a
the candidates and especially to one b,
sides Proctor he is blind to what a pref
many consider open to common obse
walton.
How much weight this subject {
High License will have seeking this o.
portunity, or how much the history
the temperance cause being swept avn
by political currents will repeat itse
time alone can tell.
Kind, but Inconsiderate.