The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1914-08-13

| coming Legislature.
The matter Of first Importance {,
Vermont is the moral and physica
welfare OF her sons and daughter
who live within her borders. w
should have such q reorganization o.
our school system as will make III,
rural schools more efficient. II knowl
edge is power, as has been said, LEI
US give oil our children more power II
order that they may become better
farmers, better mechanics better bust
ness and professional men, better eiti'
zens.
The present state policy in relation
TO good roads has proved a success
and should be continued Money ex-
pended for highways is not state
expense but a paying investment. The
states policy in regard to encourag-
ing scientific forestry is also to be
commended, and it should be extended
as soon as the resources of the treas
ury permit
It may not be necessary to speak of
past achievements Of the republican
party, but few facts tending TO ex-
plain the present trend back to that
party are fundamental to my posi-
lion.
From 1860 to 1906 this country was
in the hands of the republican party
practically all the time. That party
fought the Civil War to a successful
termination and established such a
benefcent government that the coun-
try grew and prospered as no other
ever did since history has made re-
cords of mems deeds.
During that period the increase in
national wealth was over 100 billions
of dollars held in reserve.
We built over 100000 miles of rail-
roads during that time and the num-
Der of families who lived in their
own homes increased to over 10000
900 in 1900 These figures are almost
beyond comprehension.
Since 1905 we have been tearing
down that which we built up in the
80 years previous. Democratic and
progressive policies are destroying
the great enterprises which were our
pride.
The democrats have reduced our
tariff in accordance with their plat
form under the plea that such re-
duction would reduce the cost of liv-
ing. The result of their legislation
has been loss and damage to the ma
ton. Our imports show large in
crease since the new tariff went into
effect and our exports decrease. We
have so far shipped $150,0O0,000 in
gold to Europe to pay our trade bal
ances, and the end is not yet. The
business of our manufacturers has
been reduced, which necessitates the
discharge of thousands of laboring
men, until we have bread line from
New York to San Francisco and IN
empty car line reaching from Boston
to Denver. Thoughtful men of ali
parties throughout the nation toda
are turning to the republican party
with eyes of hope.
The leaders of the democratic par
ty have also shown that they are
totally unfit to cope with the complex
questions involved in> our relations
with foreign countries, having, in fact,
made this nation the laughing-stock
Of Europe by their laundering in Mex
leo and their mistakes abroad.
As Chautauqua attraction, the
democratic party is success; as a
governing force it is failure.
Has the party men of the old-time
courage, who will again take the reins
of government and by wise legislation
and a moderate tariff, framed to pro-
tect the interests of labor and manu-
featuring, bring back the good times
of the Mckinley administration; the
busy mill and the fat envelope? The
country is ready to welcome the re-
publican party back to power.
Previous to the convention, | do not
desire to advance my candidacy by
sending emissaries to solicit support,
but if this brief statement should
strike a responsive chord amcng the
republicans Of Vermont, | shall at
least enter the campaign with the
courage of my convictions, for | be-
lieve that the republican party is the
party of high ideals and constructive
leadership. | shall then with pleasure
join other republicans in discussing
with the voters of the state the repub-
lican platform and the reasons for
the faith that is in US.
| have always been in favor Of the
publication of campaign expenses by
candidates for public office, and !
propose to file with the republican
state committee statement Of all the
expenses of my campaign from this
date to the day of election.
PERCIVAL w. CLEMENT.