The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1918-08-19
Proposed National Prohibition
Amendment Is Next Question
DECLARES 1T VICIOUS
He Approves Of Many Changes in
Management OF State Business
Adopted by Gov. Graham.

clare myself q candidate for governor
at this time, () the recent reyela-
tions of a vicious business system in
the office of the state auditor, and (2)
the proposal Of the professional re-
formers to line up Vermont for ma
.ional prohibition. In my mind, the
second proposition is Of more import
ance, although the former is more
Immediately before the public mind.
During my lifelong residence in
Vermont, some of my time has been
given to public activities, and the re-
suit of those activities has, | hope,
appeared in some amendment of pub.
lie conditions.
II / were to consult my own con
yenience. should content myself
with such service as | might render
as private citizen. In fact, of late
years. the prospect of retiring from
business and politics has appealed toI
me very strongly. AT the same time,
| recognize in the present situation a
real emergency and an opportunity
for special public service.
Should you, therefore, in your
good judgment, call me to the high
office of Governor. ! feel that the
call OF duty should not be disregard
ed.
Perhaps my experience in business
its me for such service, and with tha;
in view | would cheerfully put aside
my personal inclinations and accept
the burden that your choice would
impose.
IN any event, shall continue to
give my best efforts to the cause Of
good government and my undivided
support to the state. and to the Gov
srnor OF the State, whoever he may
! be.
OF course, winning the war is the
frst thought that comes into every
ones mind In that We are all of one
accord. We wish Vermont to exert
all OF her power by the use Of men
and money to that end Incident to
that effort is the absolute necessity
OF preventing waste and misuse of the
public money. Recently we have
been shocked and Inundated by the
disclosure of shortages in the Office
OF the state auditor, which occurred
while Horace F. Graham was IN
charge
Without dwelling unduly on the
grief and chagrin which we all fee
in facing such a situation, 1t is plaif
that an utterly improper and danger
Gus system has grown up of handling
Of the states funds.
IL is an actual invitation TO fraut
and misappropriation. II should b,
remedied without delay, so that
shortage OF 100000 in the account o
any state officer should be made alb
solutely impossible.
In former campaigns | have callet
your attention to the loose method
Of accounting pursued by state ofIic
ars In 1902 | was permitted an in
spection of the books of the Auditor
Office only after had procured a mai
date from the Supreme court, direct
ing the Auditor to allow any citize
10 examine them.
In 1906 the System of bookkeepin
was changed and good syster
adopted, which has since been follow
ed, but in the Auditors office loos
methods of handling the cash an
vouchers still prevailed. and it is t
those methods that | attribute In
public scandal which confronts us.
II | am elected your Chief EXecl
tive, shall, If permitted by the Legi
lature, adopt such methods of accour
ing and handling the States money a
will prevent such an occurrence
the future.
heartily approve of many chan
es in the management Of State bus
ness adopted by Governor Grahar
and should wish to continue ther
The business of the State should |
conducted in a careful and busines
like manner, but the question of Fl
greater importance is that of the pr
posed ratification Of the Sheppai
amendment to the federal constit
tion, prohibiting the manufacture al
sale OF intoxicating liquors.
In 1902 the question of Local Opti,
or Prohibition, was presented to yc
and you voted for Local option, b
the Anti-Saloon League. which Is q
active political organization of the {
treme prohibitionists has maintain
large lobby at every session Of {
Legislature, and has sought to repC
or change the Local Option Law,
to emasculate II so that It would
come unpopular
In 1914 they worked the Perry /
through the Legislature. When III
was presented to YOU for your
proval you turned It down by 1876
majority Supported by unlimit
money, the paid hirelings of the Ar
Saloon League now propose to ha
the Legislature take the whole Qu
tlon out of the hands of the peol
foreyei
. After having been twice beaten
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