The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1906-05-31
p. W. CLEMENT ACCEPTS.
VIII Run IS Independent Candidate
for Governor.

candidate for governor Of Vermont
/ Mr.. Clement has issned this statement
expressing bis willingness 10 comply
with the Wishes u those who hav'
signed the petitions. The formal state
| meui follows:
ITO Edward J.. Hall. George II
| Dewey, l.. S. knight, s. b. Hntchins,
/ s. ! Beatty, l.. II. Lombard, w. n.
n. Blair, Frank Wilcox II c. Soper,
In. A. Walker. c. l.. Hathaway, g. T,
shAnks, Y b. Markham, VIM. 3. Eat
On, and others, independent voters OF
Vermont;
am il receipt Of your request "
run a. an independent governor of the
state, morc extensively signed, you tel
me, than any reques, OF a similar
character ever before in the state oil
Vermont
CAUCUS LAW DIsTRusTED.
In the campaign Of 1902 the Ii
cense-I Local Option party demanded a
caucus law The Legislature which
was elected that year failed 10 pass
one, but the Legislature Of 1904 enacted
cunningly devised law which, put IN
operation now for the first time, seems
10 operate in a way calculated 10 per-
petuate the power Of the Republican
machine indefinitely. will not at
this time discuss the merits OF that
law or attempt 10 give the reasons for
its failure. The fact that it Is distrust-
ed and ignored by large majority OF
the voters in all parts Of the state Is
sufficient reason for your action and
for mine. In no part Of the state, so
far as | know, has majority of the
voters registered, and in some towns
the proportion of voters declaring
their party utilization is only one-quar-
ter of the total vote.
Under these conditions, il is ap-
parent that the nominations made
through such caucus action will not
represent the great majority of voters
in Vermont.
IL believe that every mans vote
should have its full weight and value
in making nominations for Office, as il
does in electing candidates TO office.
Yet under the present conditions this
cannot be, and as | understand it, II is
for the purpose of enabling every
Vermonter TO record his judgment
upon the questions which have at
tracted so much public attention dur
ing the last few months that you have
asked me TO stand as an independent
candidate for the Office of governor Of
the state.
80 understanding the motive which
prompts your action, ] accept the high
commission you tender me, and will
make my best effort 10 accomplish the
changes in state government you so
earnestly hope for.
WHY HE HAS CHANGED HIS PLANS.
Last fall, when ! announced in a
public letter my determination to con
test the Republican nomination in Re-
publican caucuses, il was not suppos-
ed that the caucus law would be repu-
dated by the people in the way il has
been. That fact has completely chang
ed the conditions, while the demand
for some action looking toward i'm
provement in state government is
greater and more insistent than ever.
sin view of these facts, ! cannot
consent 10 have my name presented in
the Republican state convention. We
cannot look 10 the machine which Is
now in control for improvement. 1t
offers no change except the change
from bad to worse, which always comes
with INSTRUMENTATION Of public af
fairs. The men who are in control of
political power stand pat and say 10
the voter, What are you going 10 do
about itf' They claim 10 represent
majority Of the Republican party.
You and do not believe it. We know
the Republican party believes in an
honest and economical administration
Of state affairs and that majority,
through machine methods, has been
denied fair expression Of it, wish.
We know that in towns Of many times
a Republican majority has put Demo
Gratis in Office when il was understood 1
that such Democrats were better fitted
10 administrate the affairs of that office
than the Republican candidate for the
Office, and, vice versa, Democrats do
not hesitate to support those of other
political faith. il they believe il for the
interest Of good government. The
best Republican and the best Demo
crai il he who can and will rise above
party when the occasion demands il.
We believe that this is the occasion
which demands patriotism rather than
partiaanship.
WOULD Turn OUT RrSo MASTER.
with you viii Join in an effort 70
urn oul the ring master who uses pub.
ic Office for graft and 10 perpetuate
Bis ovn power. and ! viii join with
y0n b. install those who VIII administer
FOR the benefit Of the gov.
srned viii join with you in repeal.
ng lARs which are obnoxious 10 the
people, and enact such as will in
measure relieve as Of our burdens aud
mako those burdens which are neoes-
sary bear equally upon all we have
1ow here, will join in such legisia.
alton "a viii attract capital 10 our
stkfu AMI tnep.Ns. thm xatus ~ al No