Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1920-11-04
YERMONTs VERDICT

vERMONvS VERDICT
Vermont gave its verdict Tuesday in
the most unmistable manner for sterling
Amercanism as we'll as progressive Re-
pubicanism. The people of the Green
Mountain State, Joined with most Of the
rest OF the United States in rolling I'D a
tremendous majority for Harding and
Coolidge, AS a special mark Of popular
favor for progressive politics they added
10 the vote for Hartness for the Cover.
norship so that ne ran ahead Of his
hcl5et In many counties.
This is particularly noteworthy as a po-
ntical manifestation. and we hasten to
acknowledge the support Of a number Of
patriotic Democrats for Eartness, who
continued during the campaign between
parties the spirit Of good fellowship with
which he caused the contest in the pri-
maries to stand out as unique in the po-
litical annals of Vermont We hail this
as evidence that progressive policies will
have strong support in the Legislature
regardless Of political affiliations. Party
lines are never very closely drawn In the
General Assembly and never marked by
partisan bitterness as in States where the
parties are evenly divided. We predict
that the Hartness program will have
support on the part Of Democrats as we'll
Republicans to a pronounced degree.
At the hour Of writing the returns are
not sufficiently complete to make posi-
Bile discussion OF the result in figures
on an assured basis. The law Of per-
centages applied to the returns from
scattering towns in different parts Of
the State indicates that the Republican
vote Is about three to one for the Demo-
cratic presidential ticket. In 1916 the vote
for Hughes was about two to each one
for Wilson. The Republican vote has in
creased about eo per cent. while the DEM
ocratic vote has Increased but little, a
large Democratic vote falling off In many
towns being made up in the larger places
Then the vote for Harding ought to he
in the vicinity of 1000 and the vote for
a. NoN dDout SV,Vvv, IedVlnR a nluTallty LOT
Harding and Coolidge Of 10000 or So
partial list Of returns from the leg
islative elections in different parts Of
the State indicates that the Senate will
be about as solidly Republican as usual.
In Grand Isle county, DR.. @. II. Branch,
Republican. was defeated by John e.
Montgomery of Isle La Motto by the close
vote Of 666 to 665 SO far as appears at
this time. Senator Montgomery will be
the sole representative of his party in
the upper branch Of the Legislature.
The House Of Representatives will
have about the usual number of Demo-
Gratis, Chittenden county contributes two
In the person Of Mayor Jackson Of Bur-
lington and the veteran Daniel O'Brien Of
South Burlington. Colchester varied It's
traditional policy by electing H. A.
Bailey. Republican representative. st.
Adams also elected a Democrat in the
person of A. A. Parmelee, NJ H. Alex
ander having been defeated for' repre-
sentative although he was elected States
attorney
In this connection the legislative cleo
lions seem to have simpllfied the prob
lem Of the election of speaker Of the
House to a marked degree. Mr. Alexander
had been seriously mentioned in that con-
nection, but his failure to secure election
eliminates him. The surprising defeat of
Speaker c. s. Dana Of New Haven re-
lieves Addison county of the embarrass-
n1ent Of being put in the position Of seek
ing to name the presiding officers Of
both branches Of the Legislature. with
corresponding domination of the COM
mittees.
At this time, Mr.. Billings Of Wood
stock, who had no opposition to his cleo
ton In his town as representative.
seems to have a rapidly clearing field
for election to the speakership.
The entire Republican county ticket in
Chittenden county was elected nv the
usual substantial majorities. and Levi p.
Smith has every reason to be proud Of
the handsome showing he made In four
Of the six wards in the city. All In ALL
II was great day for Vermont Repub-
llcansm.
It is now UP to the Republicans of ver-
mont to demonstrate that they really
stand for a Vermont Of enlarged oppor-
tunity for Vermont youth and Of progress
In education, road making and construc-
tive policies in general