Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-07-05

The republican platform says that local
option should have n further trial and
the republican candidate agrees and yet
only four years ago he said he thought
prohibition was better for the State than
any scheme of license We are glad TO
know the republican machine does not In
tend to repeal the law.
To-day the side judges appoint license
commissioners and they generally belong
to the republican machine. Down in my
town this enables the republican cand
date for governor to round up the liquor
sellers and whole liquor interest to his
support. The side judge profession en-
ables machine leaders to control the liquor
vote and 1t Is queer situation that pro-
hibitionist Proctor running for governor
on n license-local option platform is
rounding up through his heelers the liquor
interest of the State to his support
The independent voters forced local
option on the State and II we should gain
the reins OF power we ought to remedy
the defects In the present law according
10 the best standards of other States,
notably that of Massachusetts. one
great drawback to general prosperity
is the products of double taxation. We
contend that the principle that property
should be taxed once and once only Is
absolutely Just and right, 1t is difficult
matter to handle but 1t can be done and
done without loss to the State income
and | promise you that if the independent
party wins, one of the first things under
taken will be relief from double taxation.
When l was in the Senate Of 1900 | in
troduced a resolution that provided joint
committee to examine the business of the
State, and the bill was introduced to
remedy things in the auditors office. The
bill passed the Senate but was killed in
the House. Tho speaker referred it to a
committee in the House other than the
one who had brought it and it was
Ismothcred in that committee. That speak
cr was Fletcher y. Proctor.
If that bill had passed you and | would
not be here to-day and the State of YER
mont would not be transacting business
in a careless and slip-shod manner. We
must have a new and better system of
accounting and while it will require
a larger staff of mon than we have
but it will save the State thousands of
dollars where it costs hundreds. The
present caucus law interferes with indi-
vidual liberty, the voter ought not to be
bound to 20 with any party, he ought
to have right to change his mind at
any time. And such changes should be
made as will give him the fullest benefit
in this respect.
The right of suffrage is the highest a
man can possess but it amounts to nothing
unless used with thought and conscience,
and we ask the Independent voters of
every party to join us in defeating the
machine which is responsible for the mis-
management of public affairs.
At the close of Mr.. Clements speech
the convention adjourned.
FIRST DISTRICT CONVENTION.
Tho first district congressional convon-
ton was held at three O'Clock
at The Strong Theatre. 1t was call
ed to order by ]. II. Donnelly of Yer
gennes. r. II. Hall of Pownal was APP
pointed temporary chairman and j. p.
Gauvn of Bennington, temporary secre-
tary. The temporary organization was
made permanent. after which e. Z. Gift
of Fair Haven was nominated as a can
ddate for Congress. His nomination was
unanimous. The district committee was
elected as follows:
| Addison county-J. II. Donnelly.
Bennington county,. T. Gauvin.
| Rutland county-T. w. Molonoy.
| Chittenden county,. l.. Graves.
Lamoille county-C. l.. Gates
| Franklin county-H. c. Cummings.
Grand Isle county-Frank Ford.
| SECOND DISTRICT CONVENTION.
| The second district congressional con-
Vontlon followed that OF the first district.
| = oil, taJ OH
man, with f. II. Clark of Windsor as
secretary. Three names were presented
/ for the office of congressman, They were
Don c. Pollard of Proctorsville, J. II
Senter of Montpelier and o. c. Miller OF
Newport. The names of Mr.. Pollard and
| Mr. Miller We're withdrawn and Mr. Sen
ter was unanimously nominated The dis
trict committee was elected as follows:
Essex county-C. NJ Fletcher OF
Caanan.
orange county-H. II. Ormsbee of Brad
ford.
Orleans county-D. j. sheehan OF
Lowell.
Washington county-C. ". Melcher OF
Barre.
Windham county, f. Byrne of Rock
ingham.
| Windsor-O. c. Sawyer of sharon.
Caledonia county-Elsha May Of St
Johnsbury