The Bennington Evening Banner

Howe's Flip Releases
Local Option Men
From Pledges
Before Percival W. Clement became a candidate for Governor, thousands of Local Option men had pledged themselves to Frank E. Howe, believing him to be sincere in the position he took two years ago.
At that time Mr. Howe was vice president of the Local Option League for Bennington County and took a prominent and consistent part in the defeat of the infamous Perry act.
Since his first announcement Local Option men have flocked to his support.
When Mr. Howe reversed his position on local option and deliberately aligned himself with the forces that are trying, by a campaign of terrorism and political blackmail, to coerce every candidate into supporting ratification of the Sheppard amendment, men who believe in Vermont's right to settle its own problems were filled with dismay and embarrassment.
What is the duty of Local Option men in such a situation?
Are they bound to support Mr. Howe after he has repudiated the principle of local self government?
Are they estopped from supporting Mr. Clement, who stands where he always stood on Local Option who is also pledged, if elected, to a complete reorganization of the state's business system?
Read what Senator Wilson E. Aldrich of Rutland county says about the duty of self-respecting voters in that relation:
SENATOR ALDRICH ASKS TO BE RELEASED
FROM FORMER PLEDGE TO CANDIDATE HOWE
Rutland, Aug. 19th, 1918.
Hon. Frank E. Howe,
Bennington, Vt.
Dear Sir:—
When I signed your petitions, I did so with the understanding that you were a local option man. Knowing you were at that time vice president of the Local Option league and having been assured that you were opposed to the ratification of the Sheppard amendment, I was glad to enroll myself on your side. I was therefore very much surprised and embarrassed when I read your letter, endorsing national prohibition and reversing your position as I understood it. I would therefore ask to be released from my pledge, so that I can endorse and work for Mr. Percival W. Clement, who is not only a lifelong local option man, but stands for a complete reform of the state's methods of handling its funds and vouchers. I regret that this step seems necessary, as I have many pleasant recollections of your excellent work for local option and self-government in the past.
Very truly yours,
W. E. ALDRICH.
Vermont Local Option League Needs Funds
The League invites subscriptions from the friends of Local Option and self-government. Use the coupon and mail to the Secretary.
Raymond Trainor, Secretary, Local Option League,
White River Junction, Vt.:
I wish to subscribe..........dollars toward the expense of the educational campaign of the Local Option League, through the columns of the Vermont newspapers, and enclose my contribution herewith.
VERMONT LOCAL OPTION LEAGUE
Percival W. Clement, President.
Raymond Trainor, Secretary.