Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1859-03-18
For the Standard.

or the SulnQaIG-
Mr.. EDrroR I'm the Editorial COL
umns of your last paper you volunteered
TO criticise my administration as County
Commissioner the past year, and in view
of my probable reelection TO give me
some advice for the future, your advice
is that make better appointments in
some towns than did last year. Very
good. l had proposed the same thing to
myself, if was so unfortunate as to be
reelected. Now, Mr. Editor, did you
never trust some men in the whole range
of this County for your paper or your
services, whom you would not trust
again Or can you or any Other man go
through the towns ofthis county, in near
ly three-fourths ofwhich you are a strau-
ger to most of the people, and appoint
liquor agents, and not find at the close of
the year that you have made two or three
mistakes?
It might be done perhaps if the pro-
Eessed friends of Temperance took sufFi-
cient interest in the appointment of agents.
If they would hold conventions in the
several towns in the month of April, dis
cuss the subject, and select the best man
whom they could get to accept it, and
pledge himself to discharge the duties ac-
cording to law, and have such nomina-
ton ready to present to the commissioner
when be visits them the first of May
This would not only secure better agents
but save the county some expense, and
the commissioner much trouble in looking
up information-the Selectmen-and fin
ally an agent. In all this trouble he may
find the professed friends but real enc
mics of the law quite ready TO assist
him. Well, now, Mr.. Editor, for the
charges you prefer, you appointed al
least one agent ofintemperate habits and
was informed of the fact the next day
IF your account of his official conduct j,
correct, it is a sad misfortune that bis
good neighbors had not informedme of thai
fact the day beforehand again, THE CO m.
missioner has since been written TO that
the said agent had made that town per.
feet hell upon earth with the sale of hi,
miserable rum" 1t is another misfortune
that said letter was anonymous, and coulc
nos be traced to its origin. or the charge:
contained in it substantiated by those liv.
ing at the very mouth of the burning
pit.
Now l think, Mr.. Editor, that it vii
not be denied that the inhabitants of til,
town alluded to, stand as fair as those o
any other town in this county for temper
ance, morality, and religion, or at least
did SO stand before the appointment 0
said agent, now can it be possible tina
such men with their agent under S50t
bonds to the town for the faithful perior
nance Of his duties, and the Maine law
at their command, would suffer such &
state of things as represented by some o
the people of Irasburgh, think not
and if it is so l certainly have no bust
ness with the responsibility, until legiti
mately informed Of the fact. As to til,
miserable rum Of which you speak, I ad
NIT that all Intoxicating liquor as bey
erage is miserable enough, but that til,
liquor sold in this county by the agents !
poorer than that sold for the few year
past, do not believe, for the evidenc,
on that point is that it IS better; but
claim no merit on that score, as 1 had n
agency in furnishing it.
And now 1 would say to the friends O
temperance, let Us unite and sustain tn
law if it is worth sustaining; if not, unit
with its enemies and repeal it.
WM. J. HASTINGS.
Crafsbury, March 18th, 1859.