The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1922-10-09
WILL CAMPAIGN
TO DEFEAT THE
vOLsTEAD LAW
Says James E. Kennedy, Candi-
date For Congress
IS DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE
Mr.. Kennedy Says He Is Urged
By Both Republicans and
Democrats
is DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE

ESSEX Junction, Oct. y.-JameS r..
Kennedy, democratic candidate for
| Congress IN the first district, gave
out the following statement this
evening:
II have hesitated up to this time
about waging vigorous contest for
the election OF Congressman in this
district. SO well entrenched is the
opposition party that it has seemed
to me to be futile undertaking, but
within the past few days so many
things have happened that | am firm
ly convinced that the voters of this
first district prefer me for their con.
gressman.
With this belief in mind an
nounce to the voters of the district
that from now my campaign will be
conducted In such way that 1t will
be known that a contest is being
waged, at least on my part. Bear In
mind, however, that in no way will |
diyerge from legitimate and legal
methods. but shall conduct the af.
fairs OF my canvass In such way as
will permit OF no legitimate criticism.
MY first, foremost and most EN-.
phatic declaration is that am OPP
posed to the Volstead act, and this
on the ground that II is not tenn
perance measure. that this law does
not promote or foster temperance
and that under ii we are growing up
a generation OF citizens OF law viola.
tors and horde of rapidly becoming
millionaire bootleggers.
Il am temperance man. not now
because am a candidate for Office.
but have been a temperance man al.
ways. One of my duties while filling
the Office of Federal prohibition direc-
tor of Vermont was to enforce the
Volstead act. No one can claim that
did not do all that human strength
could do to enforce that act. Not
only did ] work my staff OF men to
the endurance test, but |, myself.
travelled the highways and the by
ways OF the state both day and night
to capture and apprehend the boot
leggers.
Was | criticised for this action ?
| Yes, and from whom did II come
First, and naturally from the bootleg
ging fraternity. secondly, and with
bCotlegger the Volstead press said
was going too far, even iayther than
the law demanded. and asked me to
desist But ! carried on with the
same determination and desire to up
hold the law. And 1t Is the expert.
ence that personally had In my en-.
deavor to enforce the Volstead law
that now causes me to declare that
1t is impossible OF enforcemens and
that under ii we are losing out rapit'
iy as a nation of law abiding citizens,
the great majority OF whom desire
1 temperance, but see no hope in the
Volstead act.
| Now, the question will be asked
why | have so suddenly decided to
make an active campaign for the Of
fee OF congressman and the voters
should know why. Within the past
two weeks have received requests
from every part OF the district, the
greater NunDer couliilS irohi ihenl
bers OF the republican party, urging
me, as most OF them express 1t. tC
represent their thought on the Vol
stead act, and that II will, they will
not only cast their ballots foc.. me bu'
they will exert every effort among
their neighbors and friends to secure
support for me.
\ with their minds and my mine
thinking so closely together | fine
that can not refuse the pressure
they have placed upon me, and
firmly believe that great majo>,.
Of the voters of the first district de
sire modification Of the VolsteaC
law, return to the good old days o
law and order, and as they are look
ing to me to represent them at Wash
lngton. promise that will conduc
campaign In the interest of temper
ance, but opposed to the Volstead nc
and with the hope of winning in Nc
vember."