Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1854-02-17

'""h'y Commissioner.
According 10 a call for that purpose, u CON
%yention was held in Charlotte ~, tive lctb
inst, so nominate u COMMISSIONS far Chit
tenden County, for the year ensuing. q "
Benedict was chosen President; Mo,e, Grant
and ?. F. Smith, Vice Presidents. q.
Sampson md J. G. Wilder, Secrctarics.
A committee was appointed TO report reso.
lutions to the convention. i. ). ADAMS Of
Darlington, A. l.. Beach Of Charlotte, Or. J.
Work Of Huntington. we're the committee. A
committee consisting of two from each town
represented 10 the convention with an add.
tional two msIubers from Burlington, WAS ap-
pointed to bring in q nomination for = com.
missioner.
The committee reported Mr.. Z. Fl. WEES
1ER Of Charlotte, as their nouinee. The re-
port was adopted, mem con. and Mr.. Wheeler
stands as the candidate proposed to the
voters Of the county by the convention.
The committee on resolutions reported
three resolutions.
/. Resolved, That in the principle underlying the
prohibitoIy law Of Vermont, We recognize the fun
dameptal doctrine Of real repubi,cani,,n. that Govern.
ment i: instituted for the protection Of the weak
and helpless, and the restraint Of those who would
sacrifice the health and pesce Of others to their Owl
selfish advantage.
2. Resoiu,d, That as citizens Of Chittendsn County,
we have bad the opportunity 70 test the practical
ehcency Tor good Of prohibitory legislation Ell the sab-
lect Of the Traffic in Alcohol ; and wherever the law
has been enforced, its course has been marked en-
rhatically by an unmistakeable elimination Of crime,
pauperisn and misery, aud by al increase Of health
and prosperity, an elevation Of public sentiment and
a favorable influence upon the norsis of individuals
and the public.
After a few Introductory remarks of Mr..
Adams the chairman Of the committee, on tie
two resolutions severslly, they were adopted
without dissent.
The third resolution offered by the com
mittee was as follows:
8. Resolved, That whatever diff roncss Of opinion
may exist as to the effect Of the recent amendments,
upon the efficiency of the law, we agree that a faith
full enforcement of the law az it now stands will be
productive of much good to ourselves and our
neighbors, and the community, and therefore it be-
comes a binding and important duty OF TEN peranes
men, convinced of thu correctness Of it. principles,
surrounded by evidences, of its practical efficiency.
determined to waste neither time or strength in re-
GREETING the effect of amendments that for the pre-
sent Is not TO be remedied, we here and new pledge
ourselves TO a firm and faithful support Of the pro.
hibitory law, and promise our best efforts 10 secure
its full and legal enforcement in Chittendea County
Mr.. c. c. Briggs proposed an amendment,
to strike out the first clause, all that precedes
the words " we agree and to substitute the
following, " that although tho recent amend
ments of the lay prohibiting the traffic in in
to1lcating liquor have the effect to impair its
efficiency, yet"
This gave rise to q lively debate, Mr.
Briggs and others arguing that the law WAS
very seriously impairedin efficiency mention
ing fact. to show it, and that it was impor.
tant for the convention to say so, to strengthen
an influence at home end abroad for correct
t ing the defects hereafter. Mr.. Adams ant
others, arguing that it WAS doubtful whether
the law was really impaired as to Its e%f6cienc,
. to any great extent, that it was too soon e
speak positively on that point-that som'
{ valid objections were removed by some of th'
, amendments-that it was not advisable te
= awaken disputes on matters which it WAS GU
y of the power of anybody to alter now-ths
L the true way was to disregard those points 0
; difference, and to unite their energies to sus
; tain the Law as it is.
0 The amendment was adopted by a SINAI
maJoii'y Suo sus besoAotAoh ~ Smsneeo W
passed.
n Interesting statems nts were made by d.
y Goodyear, the present COMMISSIONS, on ii
: administration Of the law on the part of tt
u town agencies-in which be was able to Civ,
with few exceptions, the amount sold for sse
a quarter Of the year, in the several tow.
y Though the statements showed a surprisin
q reduction from what was VIGOROUSLY sol
before In the county, he thought that thsr
n was yet more used than was necessary or bet
eicial.
The two following resolutions were intr,
duced by Mr.. Sampson, and adopted.
4. Rssopsd, That this convention approve 81
ID plan OF the quarter million fund adopted by Il
State Society at its annual meeting in Montpeli
last month.
= S. Resolved, That our present Anti.Liquor
"a Maine Law, in its object, enactment and executio
is founded in and promotive Of the dearest int res
OF benevolence and humanity, and hence the inc
il laborious, seif-denying and per,evering efforts
persuade, reform and elevate the wretched inebris
whenever and wherever to be found: are in 4
ID highest degree consistent with the end and aim
this convention in nominating q County Comm
30 sioner, and all other lawful e~Iertions to suppress Il
t, traffic in intoxicating spirits as q common drink.
After passing Q resolution Of thanks f
at the use Of the house, and to the choir f
he obliging the convention with two Temperate
s, Songs sung-with spirit and effect, the col
v%ention adjourned.
h Though but a minority of the towns in Il
n County had representatives at the meetinj
&c the house was well filed, many ladies favo
: ing the convention with their presence.
SIS friendly spirit characterized oil the procse
IS ings.