Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-03-22

vainly trying to use for his own ends. |
From that time forth nothing was too
severe for Mir. Clement to say about re-
publican leaders, and "the machine be- |
came bitter morsel which he rolled in
ccssantly under his tongue.
MIR. Clement bolted and he went so far
outside the party that he has been trying
ever since to get ack with unsatisfactory
results. Those who attempt to excuse
or condone or pallate his bolt show how
he took the stump for the state republic
can ticket in 1904. and they even insist
that he contributed money to the rcpub-
lican campaign fund. of which we shall
have more 10 say some other day.
These apoloSists little dreamed how
deadly they were stabblng their cham
pion, when they sought TO demonstrate his
temporary return to republicansm in
1904. If they are to be believed. Percival
w. Clement, two years ago, waived all
that he had said in 1902 about the corrup-
ton OF the republican machine about the
venalty of republican leaders, about the
rottenness of republican politics, and act
ually Joined hands with Governor Bell
and other state officers, Senator Proctor
and Senator Dillingham;, and Congressman
State republican committee and the host of
republican leaders in the different counties
and in the different towns, including the
committees therein who make up the re-
publican organization. lie thus condoned
all the wickedness he had charged to
what he calls the machine" IL his apollo
gists are correct, and worked during the
campaign preceding the September cleo
ton 10 perpetuatc that organization.
1t is to be noted. however, that this was
| in 1904 when Percival W. Clement could
not be a candidate for governor without
breaking the mountain rule. which he.
early in that year, even threa tened with
assault and battery. 50 great was his
desire 10 serve as a martyr for some
| cause" If the republican machine"
were overthrown that year some martyr
on the east side of the state would be
the David which slew the republican
Goliath, and so the day of an accounting
was patiently postponed for another two
years.
! Now why did Percval w. Clement, in
19n4, take the stump for the republican
| State committee and the organization
and work for the election of candidates
he had so bitterly arraiened IN 1862?
! Tho gentleman from Rutland could have
remained entirely passive in the campaign
of two years ago, and allowed the guber-
material pendulum to take another swing
before launching another thunder bolt
against the republican machine. lie could
have rested without compromising his
cause
Some of Mr.. clements ill-adviscd adj
visers insisted, however. that he must get
into the game. ii he wanted people 10 for
get his bolt oc 1892 and he must he
for the governorship in 1906. And So this
alleged champion of clean caucuses and
pure politics and good government man
aged to secure an invitation TO speak
from oGe of his friends i'll the orGaniza-
tion--and he got into the game, not rcalz-
ing that nc was putting aside absolutely
and irrevocably the only "cause" for
which he could still claim to stand--the
fight against alleged "rcpublican rotten
|ness."
The campaign of 1906 is now at hand and
IPercival w. Clement is impatiently re
moving the moth balls from his charges
Of 1862 for use in another fight for pub
lie position. In his effort TO reach the
governorship he is repeating ,ne same old
gag about the wickedness of the repubii-
can administration, but he seems to over
look the fact that it is an administration
which he himseif-with open eyes
helped to install. We even have the same
State auditor he assailed way back in
19O2-but supported in 1904
, The people now know that, if there was
corruption. as charged, Percival W. Glenn
ent was willing TO pcrpetuate it and even
condone it for two years in order that
he might have another chance later on
to use ii as a steppng-stone to the
govcrnorship. The people now have
reason to know that he will put any
political "cause" under his feet provid-
ed he can use it as a stool on which tc
climb to public position.
Nay, more, the people now have every
right to believe that if Percival w. Glenn
cnt could be assured of the governorship
he would gladly cast aside everything II,
Is airing people TO say to-day about Tho
alleged wickedness of the republican ma.
chine" and "hs" as well as our, repub
lican administration, and put up for two
years more win condition of affair.
that, for a second time, has become un
bearabe to Mr.. Clement
This is the man who is to-day askin:
Vermont republicans to take him back in
to the fold and reward him with the high
est gift in their possession. This is tn,
Kind of champion of lost causes who il
asking the people OF the Green Mountain