Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1844-10-25

be concealed. Does not consistency of leg
Islation suggest the propriety Of either re-
pealIng the law in question, or authorizing
IT'S enforcement by process suited to the
case, and indispensable to give the law eff
feet To do this by the process suggested,
would seem TO be liable to 10 valid objection
This is a subject of much general impor-
lance The manifest tendency of the prac-
tice of exacting unlawful interest is, in the
first place, to beget contempt of the law,
and sharpen ingenuity for its invasion, the
general tendency of which is extremely per-
nicious,---but, in the second place, and
mainly, TO increase existing inequalities in
the condition of the people,-to make the
rich richer, and. the poor poorer leave
The necessiious 10 become the victims of the
temptation TO borrow on long credit, upon
an interest which seldom fails to complete
their ruin. Notwithstanding the facilities
for bank accommoda,ions-a mode of Dor
rowing which begets habits of promptness,
and cherishes sense Of honor highly use
fol 10 the communicate is believed that
the practice Of loaning upon unlawful inter-
est, prevails TO an extent, and produces re-
suits, which may well claim the earnest con-
sideration of the legislature.
The subject of licenses for the sale of in
toxicating liquors, has come to occupy so
much of the public attention, aud involves
question Of such deep interest to the COM
munity, that | cannot deem my duty dis
charged without inviting your attention to it,
1t is principle fundamental in our gov
eminent, that it is instituted "for the com
f mon benefit, protection and security Of the
: people" The correctness Of this principle,
asserted in our bill of rights, will, of course,
be conceded by all. In regard, therefore,
! TO the act of the government in licensing
J the traffic in intoxicating liquors, the great
} question would seem to be, whether such
traffic is for the common benefit" This
question is, at present, in effect, submitted
, 10 the decision OF the courts in the several
, counties, through whom alone, licenses can
be granted. There seems, however, 10 be
/ a prevailing sentiment that the power oil
: license should not remain in the courts, but
that it should, in some way, be brought
: nearer 10 the people. In this sentiment
, concur. The people are the source o.
, power. They know whether the traffic il
+ question is for their benefit, and are full,
competent to decide the question for them
] selves, without the Intervention Of the Judi
5 cial tribunals. 1t is submitted TO you
therefore, whether it be not practicable tc
I make some satisfactory provision by law
e for sending the question of licenses directl,
e TO them, and thus relieve the courts and the
e legislature from further trouble on the sub
: ject. Whether any, aud what provision
e shall be made, your wisdom will determine
! liz we would avail ourselves of the benefits
of experience, which il is always useful Il
| consult we have an example in Massachu
s sets, which it may be wise 10 consider
e The experiment of committing the whole
: subject TO commissioners, appointed by the
. people in the several counties, with authori
: ty to grant licenses to such extent as they
. may deem the public good to require, seems
= to have given general satisfaction TO tina
State. Should this be deemed an appropri
: ate mode Of giving effect to the peoples wish
: es, it would aid the important purpose Of re
!, moving the elections Of commissioners il
a the several counties as far as possible iron
d the influence of party politics, to have then
n holden on day devoted solely to that oh
4 ject, and as far removed, in point of time
from every other election, as the question it
: self ought TO be separated from, and eleva
!, ted above, the party contests of the day.
d There is another question connected will
e this subject, which seems to demand atten
: ton. 1t has been decided by the Suprem
!, Court that justices Of the peace have not ju
e risdicton of offences against the licens
/; laws. County courts have, therefore, exclu
e sive jurisdiction; and the result is, that, il
practice, prosecutions for such offences ar
: instituted but once in each year-grand il
S ries being usually no oftener summoned
i and States attornies, believe, seldom,
: ever, IN such cases. filing informations.-
r The obvious difficulty of reaching, by sue
: an annual process, all the violations of tn
e license laws, connected with the fact tina
h the maximum of the penalty is but ten dol
: lars, would seem TO suggest the propriety @
n either giving the jurisdiction 10 justices Q
S the peace, or of making provision that the
+ may bind over offenders with the witnesses
It to the county courts, as often as the often
ces shall be committed. IL we are to hav
: laws on this subject they should be enforced
it Every good citizen must desire this, what
:, ever may be his opinions on the question O
+ intemperance. Better, far better, to hav
If no laws, than to permit them to stand Oh
is the statute book unexecuted, since there i
I thus added to the prohibited, and yet per
mitted evil, that other great evil of practi
n cal denial of the rightful supremacy Of law
IS have been furnished in advance, wit
l. copies of the eighth annual reports of tn
/ Trustees and Superintendent Of the Yer
e mont Asylum for the Insane. From thes
'f reports il appears, that during the past year
n 232 patients have enjoyed the benefits of tn
Asylum; that 96 have been admitted to il
o. and IA DISCHARGED and that l5S remain