Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1919-11-06

! We have in this state a large number of
men looking for jobs just such as you de-
scribe, men who wish to find, positions
where they can draw largo salaries and
nave little or nothing to do. | may say
that the woods up here are full of them.
We have no State employment agencies.
which are interested in finding work for
! these men, nor do we pay railroad fares
or other expenses the men Just have to
shift for themselves. My idea is that our
supply Of men who are waiting for the
government to serve them something on a
silver platter exceeds the demand. and |
think that there is no opportunity for TAX
ing on an additional supply from other
States at the present time.
| know of no deserving cases in this
state which have not already received
careful attention and care on the part Of
friends, relatives and various service COM
mittees in the communities.
Yours truly.
(Signed PERCIVAL W. CLEMENT.
Governor
Joseph II. Fountain of this city, to whom
the first letter of the above group was
written. is the adjutant of the Vermont
State branch Of the American Legion. He
received these letters Just a few days ago.
as the correspondence shows. The letters
were presented Wednesday evening to the
general convention committee assembled
to make the final plans for the
convention. 1t was the unanimous
sentiment of this committee that the let
ter of the governor was in very bad taste
if not an insult to the ex-service men of
the country, and a committee was appoint
ed by the chairman to interview Governor
1uit la Or u
opportunity to retract the sentiments ex-
pressed and TO keep the matter out of
the general convention. IL this was done.
This committee was made of John NJ.
Thomas president of Middlebury College.
Frazer Metzger of Randolph and Henry
r.. Shaw of Burlington In accordance
with its instruction, this committee met
Governor Clement Thursday at the noon
hour and presented the case to him.
shortly before> one o'clock, the special
committee reported to the general con
vention committee that the governor had
expressed the highest regard for the ex-
service men, in the Interview which they
had with him. The committee also reported
that the governor had declared that he
had not had the American soldier in mind
a, all when he had dictated the answer
to DR.. Thoms letter, that he had had in
mind only the loafers of the country who
might don the uniform to gain soft jobs
under false pretenses. The committee
further reported that Governor Clement.
although declaring no intent to slur the
American soldier in the letter would
explain his meaning to the convention in
such manner that his viewpoint might
be understood
Directly after the address of General
Murch Il. Stewart at the afternoon ses-
sion. Governor Clement was introduced
and addressed the convention. He made
no direct reference to the letter in ques-
ton. but he expressed his confidence in
the Vermont soldiery and stated that the
acknowledgement had Informed him that
very few calls for aid of any kind from
Vermont boys who had been In the service
had been received by the State Of Vermont
You were ready to take up your
duties where they lay and perform
them as best you could" said Governor
Clement to the members OF the conven-
ton.
But" he added. there have been
thousands of men in uniform with lit
tie or nothing to do, looking for as
sistance. Some of these were not SOL
diers but the vast army Of men who
are looking for something from the
government, but who were not in the
war. | have no sympathy for those
Fellows and ] don't believe you have,
IT man hasn't served in the war and
hasn't had the experience. he shouldn't
expect anything" said the Governor.
Governor Clement reiterated that
Vermont men in the service had asked
for very little from the State since
they had been discharged, and declared
that this was to their credit.
vermont is proud to take care of
her worthy soldiers, proud to have the
opportunity to do it," said Governor
Clement.
During the course of his address
Governor Clement made no mention of
the letter in question. He said after
ward that he had not understood that
he had been expected to do so. direct
~ 1t evidently had been expected,
however, for after part of the business
or the afternoon had been transacted.
and before the Governor had left the
platform, Major Jackson brought the
smouldering fires into a lively flame.
Mr.. Jackson declared that he was
not satisfied with the explanation
which Governor Clement had made.
that he did not think the convention
as whole was satisfied, and then he
called upon John NJ. Thomas, chairman
OF the committee appointed to interview
Governor Clement, TO read the cores
pondence between the Governor and
Dr. Thorn, In the presence of the
Governor. and to make report upon
the action OF the committee.
Mr., Jacksons challenge was greeted
with great burst of cheering from the
moor or the convention. Dr. Thomas
proceeded to read the three letters CIV
en- above. At the close of the read
ing, there was ominous silence. DR.
Thomas denounced In no uncertain
terms the sentiments expressed in
Governor Clements letter, and Chair
man Tillotson then called upon the