Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1839-03-13
For the Vermont Telegraph.
Temperance ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Rurn.Sellcrss sc.

u.
Ulcers, in this town, passed off in such
manner as 10 leave little or TO doubt that Z
he temperance principle was thoroughly
e. ted, and triumphed by handsome major 5
ty Of The freemen present. In the evening
he civil authority convened for the purpose I
Of approaching a suitable man 10 sell rum
also suitable man or men as inn-keerers.
Doct. Isaac F. Merriam, known as being
thorough temperance physician, was tho't
who sold rum the last year, and was accord
ingly appreciated, the authority thinking
they could dispense with the services OF
the merchants, in hat line, this year. So
far, so good. Next came the question, who !
shall keep tavern the coming year? A |
good deal Of discussion arose on that point (
An able advocate, W s., appearing |
for the rum party, it was hard for temper
ance men to meet and rcfute his arguments
and accordingly one man was appreciated
who said he would not keep house for
public entertainment without selling rum.
He gave his pledge, however, that he would
keep The crittur Gagged up! so that be would
charm no body unless they would give q
pence for the privilege Of seeing and hand
ling him ! This locks a lille encouraging.
For if the authority had not felt ashamed 10
tell the inn-keeper he might keep the SER
pent all the time in sight, they must Of
course have said, it is just as wrong TO
drink in the dark as in the light. All the
difference there is, some men will not drink
as much, and some others will drink more
What caused this feeling among some Of
The authority? The freemen said, during
the election, in tones that could not be
misunderstood, the majority Of US do not
want rum sold as common drink. Some
! fault has been found because one house was
appreciated and not The other in this village.
think if there lraS q urong in that case,
it was in perfect accordance with the usages
of authorities, in all sees since intoxicating
liquors have been sold as a beverage. So
that if man wishing 10 sell rum, will
complain Of such dealing. at this time, be
} will necessarily condemn the system, and
also indirectly acknowledge that lie has
formerly possessed a power he had no moral
right 10 hold or exercise over his neighbor.
from that snag the best way they can
, One of two things is certain. II is either
right or acrong to sell intoxicating liquors
as beverage. If II is right, then ! can
!, see no good reason why each man who
chooses, ought net to have the same privi-
lege of selling strong drink, that he has TO
work at farming or mechanical business.
and that too without asking the town or
county authorities whether he NAV. And
let him be taxed according TO his profit
But if ii is 'crong, can see no reason why
a avern-keeper should sell, any more than
any other man. Some of the authority say
they did not know of any man who weu!J
keep tavern in the village, except those
who now keep. And if they Kept, they
would sell rum, and they thought it better
to appreciate but one. That was right ir
one sense. When a man has pracriced
lying and theft. if he ceases stealing, VIC
i call II good so far. SO in this case, and the
5 devourer Is getting more closely corneIed
SO that the mischief he does may the more
), easily be traced 10 It's source. Last yea
Il The plea was brought that il would be o
e but little use to stop inn-keepers from sell
I ing rum because merchants could obtair
e thelT licenses Of the county court, wiihou
an appreciation from the town authorities
Nor, that ground for plea is removed
But how it is in regard 10 no ones calm.
L Tor an appreciation 10 keep public house il
e Inc village except the gentleman named
n Some say the authority would be depar,in,
{ from duly, should they go after man Il
= keep such house without selling stron.
drink. Let US see about that When
- man accepts and is sworn into any Office
> the understanding is that he is 10 look wei
. TO The interests over which be is TO exercis
e authority. When the seIectmen had powe
= TO cause bridge 10 be erected owe
Otter Creek, last year, did they NEE
the first night after their election and strik
Oft the job TO the lowest bidder? No. The
took time to ascertain who would do il I
the best advantage for the town. The
a. went into another town, 10 an experience
st bridge-builder, gave encouragement, prOcur
NJ ed his lowest terms and then lei ont IN