Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-04-11
RUTLAND MAN INDICATED
BY AN OVERWHELMING VOTE
Montpelier Selected as the Place for the State
Convention, the Date to Be Fixed Later
P. M. Meldon to Preside-Commit-
tee on Resolutions Named.

stepped forward and began his charges by
sion to prove his claims and would pro-
duce them In their proper place He then
referred to the letter which he had pre-
pared and sent out. The letter follows:
Burlington. VI. March 10, 1912
My Dear Mr. -:
I am writing you few lines on what
believe to be a very important matter
namely to do just a little house cleaning
for the good of the poor old Vermont
democracy by trying to get 1t out Of the
rut in which IT has lain for SO many
years.
Such men as yourself. and many others
might mention. persons who have the
confidence and respect of the people
where they are best known, should get to-
gether and try to select as leaders men
who meet the above requirements.
Four years ago. as candidate for COVER
nor, l made an extensive canvass of the
State, the expense Of which represented
quite a sum. no part OF which was fur
nished by Tom Browne or Harris. al
though Browne received $1,000 from the
national committee, evidence Of which l
have in my possession, in the shape of a
letter from another member Of the ma
tional committee, after an investigation
l could find only s75 Of this amount as
having been spent. what Harris did with
what he received I have no knowledge,
but neither Of them had a single rally in
their respective towns. eight years ago
s5.O 900 was sent to Vermont, this was In
the Parker campaign, headquarters were
established at Burlington, Harris In
charge, being a frequent visitor at head
quarters. noticed that during the CAM
paign, the most popular feature connect
ed Herewith, was a commodious refrig-
orator we'll filed with wet goods, after
the campaign was over a prominent men,
Der OF the then committee tried to have
an investigation as to how the funds were
spent. but his efforts were most unsuc-
cessful. When these conditions exist is 1t
any wonder that the Vermont democracy
should be the laughing stock Of the whole
country? Browne and Harris must CO.
the good Of the party demands it. VIII
you Help?
Very respectfully yours.
(Signedl j. f. BURKE.
THE CHARGES IN DETAIL.
II am here" said Mr.. Burke. ito de-
fend the statements I have sent out,
and leave II to the democrats Of YER
mont to say whether / am justified or
not.
THE charge is plain and specific
One thousand was received by him and
have got the evidence that after the
campaign was over, and after investi-
cation. I could flnd where only SIS Of
the money went"
The speaker was celebrating his
charges. when Mr.. Browne interrupted.
IT admit receiving $1,000 from the
national committe." said he. you need
not trouble yourself to prove that"
"AM right" returned the ex-mayor.
80 much is admitted. Now for my
evidence. / wrote to different places
where money ought to have been spent
but was not spent"
Called upon to specify these places.
he named Orange county and Mr..
knights. Washington county AMI Mr.
Howes, but said he didn't write Frank
lin or Bennington counties.
! Let Mr.. Burke go on" shouted n
voice. and the ex-mayor continued
saying that $50 was spent in Burling-
ton. and $50 or 25 In Fair Haven by Mr.
Carmody At this point. on account OF
the Interruptions. Mr.. Sibley called fol
a clear floor for the speaker.
The first charge" declared Mr.
Burke, Il think conclusive. I charge
that my Investigation showed that 81
was spent. but does not account fol
the rest of the money"
During an interruption. Mr.. Burk'
Intercepted Committeeman Carmody o
Fair Haven. in regard to the dispose
made Of a part Of the SIS which the ex
mayor could account for
did you use all the $50 in Fair Haven? ?
he demanded. After some hesitation ant
several repetitions of the query, while
litter passed around the hall, Mr.. Car
mody replied:
Yes. spent It all-before I got IT..
MR. BROWNIES REPLY
mo candidate in the United States.
said Mr. Browne, taking up the 1908 cam
paign. was ever supported more loyal
than we supported Mr.. Burke In his cam
paien. And there isn't a man In RNlan
to whom we owe dollar. and ther
wasn't one, either. a day or two afte
the election.
| AFTER got uouo pdiu tHo poSs"e
on $500 letters. besides paying for tn
stationery and for writing the letters.
don't ask anyone to take my word TO
it-there are the checks.
I'VE held a rally every night for thre
weeks Wherever ! was asked to 20 an
speak l went. and paid my own ex
penses.
They tell you am not good Catholic
Well. I leave that to my parish priest /
Rutland. They tell you was too friend
ly with the New York State COMMITTED
1t was my aim to have the New Yor
committee friendly toward Vernon
democrats"
Replying to the charge that he had nc
done his duty as a national COMMITTEES
man. Mr. Browne reviewed his service
In that Capacity. In vindication OF HI
record.
At this point reference was made froi
the floor to a story said to be current l
Washington county to the effect that IN
money was misappropriated. and 80 niue
disorder followed that the chairma
tnterfeyed.