The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1919-10-31
VERMONT EX-SOLDIERS
DEMAND EXPLANATION
OF COY. CLEMENT
Concerning Statements in a Letter
Bearing the Executives Signature
"A Tense Moment in Con-
vention at Bur-
lington.

Burlington, Oct 81 The Vermont
branch OF the American Legion, in first
annual convention in Burlington yes
terday, made a fat footed demand upon
Governor p. w. Clement, who was oc-
cupying seat on the platform of the
convention, that he explain certain
letter bearing his signature in which
were statements considered by the Le-
gion representatives as insulting to
men who wore the uniform Of the Unit
ed States army in the world war
Seated on the platform facing the
convention, Governor Clement was
called upon by II. Nelson Jackson Of
Burlington, who has headed the Yer
mont branch as temporary chairman
since its organization TO retract the
statements conveyed in this letter A
storm of applause from the floor of the
convention greeted the action Of Major
jackson, while not voice was raised
in defense of the governor.
Governor Clement had already ad,
dressed the convention, before any men.
tion had been made Of the letter in
question. In a voice which shook with
emotion, staining before the hostile
eyes Of the ex-service men OF the Green
mountain state, the governor tried toex-
plain his situation. His explanation
seemed not very satisfactory 10 the
convention until at the direct question
of Major Jackson, Governor Clement
said that he would write another letter
denying any intent in the first letter
to place a slur upon Vermont soldiers
or any other legitimate wearers OF the
uniform OF the United States.
This was one of the outstanding fea
lures of a convention that was full Of
interest and which closed at O'Clock
last night when clambake was served
by the Burlington Chamber Of Com.
merce. During the day the convention
chose Barre as the meeting place OF the
1920 convention.
Presi John NJ. Thomas of Middle
bury college was elected the first com.
mander Of the Vermont branch. Other
officers chosen were as follows:
First vice commander (army), John
+. Sullivan Of st. Adams; second vice.
commander navy, Herbert r. Pierce
of Montpelier; third ice.commander
tmarinel. John L. Cheesman of Mid
dlebury college; fourth vice e-comnander
tarmy nurse corpsl, Miss Lillian La.
Valley of Rutland secretary or adju-
tant, Joseph II. Fountain of Bmling-
ton; treasurer or finance officer, Red.
field Proctor of Proctor; state war risk
or insurance officer, T.. w Gibson of
BrattIeboro
Members OF the state executive com
mittee Of l3 were elected as follows
DR.. j. J. Ross Of Middlebury, Joel La
mere Of Ludlow, Ray +. Smith Of Rut-
land, Fl. 1. Newton Of Montpelier, Paul
Kicker Of Burlington, II S. Smith Of
st. Adams, r. w, McCuen OF Yer.
gennes, George L. Bates of Morrisyille.
Max Fisher of Barre, Daniel P. Thomp-
son of Bellows Falls, Bernard A. DON
leayy of Brattleboro, and L. F. Edger-
ton of Rochester
Two members of the national execu.
tive committee to which Vermont is
entitled, were also elected. These are
DR.. H. Nelson jackson Of Burlington
| and Col. Fred B. Thomas Of Montpelier.
There were several contests in the
| convention over delegates to the ma.
tional convention to be held at Mime
apolis Nov. 10, IL, r. These delegates
were elected as follows Regular dele.
gates with voting power, Howard A.
Allen OF Burlington, Guy Varnum Of
Barre, B. S. Hyland Of Rutland, Elmer
G. Sanborn of Bellows Falls, George
H. Horton of Winooski, Stephen S.
Cushman of st. Albans, William s.
Corey of Montpelier and Allen Fletch-
er of Johnson
Eight aternates to which Vermont is
entitled and who may take part in the
debate but not vote were chosen as
! follows: Donald N. Norton Of Yer
gennes, Donald A. Carly of Burlington,
Chauncey Adams of Danville, Miss Lii
lian LaValley of Rutland, John Shan.
/ ley of Winooski, Miss Marie Ree2e of
| Burlington, Mr. Watson of St Albans
and Captain Wilcox of st. Johhsbury.
The delegates at large elected we're:
]. Watson Webb Of Sheburne, Leon
ard II. Mason of Northfeld James p.
1 Donahue of Essex junction, Pearl
Clapp of Brattleboro, Carl Webster of
Orleans, w. J. Kelley Of Rutland, Mr..
I HINT of NTiudsor ond Mr. kVnhhar nf