Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1855-02-02

| ~Nf NV "'tiO hidhiltst Dttdtic tit
defects of their pledge. True, the
use of distilled spirits was diminish
ed, while that Of fermentcd liquors
seemed TO increase.
Alter some eight or ten years ex-
Perlence, it became perfectly obvious,
that TO secure the object in view, a
more comprehensive pledge must be
adopted. In 1886, the pledge &c
ABSTAIN from the use of all intoxica-
ting drinks, was introduced and took
the place Of the former pledge
Strange as it may seem, many, on
this occasion, who had heen jealous
advocates Of the temperance cause,
the moment they saw their wine,
beer, and cider in danger, deserted
the temperance ranks, never to re-
turn. They were good temperance
men, SO long as they might freely
indulge in their beverage. Like
the Ium-drnker, when that was
included in the pledge, they also were
against us.
The action of the legislature
shows TO some extent the progress in
the temperance cause. In 1897. pc
titions from all parts Of the State, nu-
merously signed, were presented to
the General Assembly, asking for a
law prohibiting the making and ven
ding Of arden! spirits" and also ask
ing for the " repeal, or revision Of the
then existing license laws" Then,
as now, the constitution was, by the
advocates of rum, plead in bar to the
restrictive policy. The petitions,
with the constitutional question, were
referred TO a select committee. That
committee made a somewhat labored
report. They came TO the conclu-
sion, that "the Legislature had the
right to prohibit the traffic in ardent
spirits" but they doubted the expe-
dlency Of passing any such law
Something however had been gained.
The subject had been brought be-
fore the Legislature, aud their atten-
ton called To il.
In 1888 and in 1889 similar petit
tons and memorials were numerous
ly presented. They were referred To
committees, bat, like those OF 1887,
resulted in no legislative enactment.
They served however TO continue the
agitation Of the subject. And the
committee of 1899 asked leave of
the House, to hold their sessions in
the legislative tall, during the recess
of the House. This was refused.
The first law in this State. that
can be construed as having any rel
crence TO the temperance question,
was enacted in lSil. That year a
law was parsed authorizing the
board of civil authority of the sew
~'a ,owns' In hcense houses oi
( public entertainment, TO be descrIb-
ed IN their licenses as temperance
/ houses. Persons receiving these
licenses, were prohibited from < sell
ling, furnishing, or suffering TO be
sold, OF furnished, upon their prem
ises, any spirIiuous liquor Whatever.
by this act, an important point was
gained. 1t permitted the keeping of
temperance houses, which, before its
enactment, could no, be done, with
out the violation of law and incur
ring lis penalties.
In 1912, law passed confning
the time for granting licenses TO the
terms of the courts, so that no licen-
ses except for keeping temperance
houses, could be procured during
the recess.
In l6i4, the license system was
revised, u new act passed, and all
former laws repealed. This acl took
the business of granting licenses
from the courts, and provided for
the annual election of county com.
missioners, to whom the sole power
OF granting licenses was committed.
They were authorized to license
"one or two persons in each town,
TO sell for medicinal, chemical and
mechanical purposes only SO that
they might continue the general H.
cense system as before, or they might
restrict the sale, to those purposes,
as they might think proper. This
act made distinction between inns
aud taverns. The former were tenn
perance, the latter, tipping houses.
The commissioners could grant IL
censes to both, or to neither OF them,
as they chose. The commissioners
were elected by the voters in town
and froomcn's meetings. This aei
| wss eIr ia advance of any thing be-
fore. II brought The temperance
question, every year, TO the ballot
box, and forced lis consideration up
on the Whole community. This OPP
Grated very favorably in promoting
temperance principles.
10 this system, there were, how
ever, objections. One was, want
of uniformity among the counties -
In some, licenses were granted,
while in others, the sale was restrict
ed. The former monopolized the
rum trade. and supplied the latter
Though the consumption of alcohol
ic drinks, under the operation of this
law. was diminished; still i, was SO
easily evaded, that it proved ineili-
cient in accomplishing the object de-
sired.
In 1876 all previous laws on this
subject were repealed. The bust
ness of granting licenses was reslor-
ed TO the Courts. BY the provisions
OF the law Of that year, on the first