Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1902-07-04
THE POLITICAL SITUATION.
As Seen Through Republican Eyes, Some In
teresting Facts and Fancies Let Out.

The Brattleboro correspondent of the
Springfield Sunday Republican sees
things in the following light:
The political situation in Vermont
is one of infinite possibilities for fun.
The Clement bolt has not materialized
according to promises from the conven-
tion, but there is plenty Of ground for
it unless evidence is very deceptive.
Mr. Clements paper, the Rutland Her
aid, has been publishing many affida
Wits, which allege the demoralizing
use of money in the race for delegates.
This wholesale debauchery of politics
is sufficient cause for political revolu-
tion, and it will come if the Democrats
will only make full and sensible use of
their opportunity Their policy is Ger
tainly to keep clear of alliance with
either Republican faction, nominate
their strongest man, who is undoubt-
edly T. W. Mooney of Rutland, and
make an aggressive and systematic can
vass in every school district of the
state. F. W. McGettrick of st. Al
bans, who was prominently mentioned
for governor, hits it exactly when he
declares that a surrender to either fac
tion of the Republican party would be
cowardly, insolent politics. Clement
went into the fight for the local option
cause, and he won it so completely that
as a matter of principle there is no
consistent ground left for him. He
went into it with declaration repeat
ed and emphatic that he would abide
the result A certain thing is that the
end of the prohibition system is near
and the collapse is proving about as
sudden as that of the deacon's one
Il = Il
years the Reformer here has been insist
ing that the supposed impregnability
of the prohibition law was a supersti-
tion and that it could never survive a
test before the people. The view has
been almost universally secuted as alb
surd, but events are amply vindicating
it. The caucus showed where well
toward one-half of the Republican
voters were opposed to prohibition, and
these added to the Democrats mean
two-t thirds of the whole vote of the
people. The anti-saloon league took a
wise step on the eve of the convention
in recommending a referendum of the
question to the voters, like that by
which the prohibition law was crigi
nally adopted 30 years ago. Several
conventions, notably those of
Windsor and Orange, have passed res
like those of the state conven-
tions. in favor of a referendum. but
that of Rutland, Clements own coun-
ty. supplants this with plank against
local option and high license. 1t is by
no means certain that prohibition can
be repealed at the next session of the
the old party machine will
make strong fight against it. The
state is full of second and third rate
lawyers who figure prominently il the
who need the business the
rum traffic affords to keep the wolf
from the door, and some of the liquor
iealers are contributors to the Repub
ican campaign funds. These facts,
added to the vicious system of repre-
'entation that enables from fourth
o one-third of the people to rule the
egislature give an immense advantage
o the old and established system, but
f the established pledges of the party
platform are violated in this way it will
mean music such as was never before
leard in the state.
County politics have been in abey-
nee with the approach of the county
The convention reveals
everal hot fights under way. The live
lest one is to be over the succession of
be late L. NJ Read as judge of pro-
ate in the Westminster district. z.
1. Albee, the register all through
udge Reads occupancy of the office,
;, of course, a candidate but is con-
ronted by H. d. Ryder, G. A. Wes-
on, F. A, Bolles of Bellows Falls and
!. f. Cudworth of Londonderry. Gov.
tickney has appointed Mr.. Albee to
II Judge Reads uneNpired term, but
I such a mix-up it is impossible to
1telligently interpret or predict the
utcome. The senatorship for the dis
'icU is also up for a squabble, with
ne Clement cause as guiding factor.
he understanding has been that the
omination had been decided to J. L.
'ivoll, but Clements men are putting
,rward NJ II. Lawrence as a candidate
9ainst him. There is also possibility
struggle over the side judgeship
! the southern part of the county.
oF