The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1863-05-15
The Liquor Law.

The laws of the state ought to be obsyed
| by the people. If law is bad law, let it
be obeyed until it IS legally repealed, if il
/ does not require Us TO DO that which our con-
sciences forbid US to do. We assume that
there are no men in this state whose con-
sciences forbid them 10 obey the prohibitory
| liquor law.
This law aims 10 prohibit the sale and use
of Intoxicating liquors as a beverage-to
prevent inebriety and drunkenness with their
thousand evils. lis object then is good
one.
| Secondly, this law provides that liquors
may be sold for certain useful purposes, by
town agents, to be appointed 10y county
commissioner. The law especially designs
10 prohibit the town agents from selling IL
quors TO receive the profits on their sales.-
The design OF this provision is that the town
agents shall receive salary for their services,
and that the profits, on the sale of liquors, if
there is any, over and above the expenses
and paying the salary of the agents, shall 60
into the town treasures. The object of this
provision is, 10 remove from the minds of
agents the temptation 10 sell as much liquor
as they can, in order TO make as much p.oft
as they can.
Thirdly, it is of the utmost Importance
that The liquors to Be sold, by town agents,
for medical purposes, should be pure and free
from noxlous, POISONOUS drugs. To accom-
pllsh TINS object, the commissioner OF the
lasi two Years, adopted the plan of having
the liquors for the county furnished by some
one responsible house, having large depos-
ii, kept Al Montnelier, anu these LIQUORS lest
I'd b. compel=ni chemist. The underSign-
ed has concluded 10 continue the same Judi
cious course The liquors. for sale by town
agents, in tie county at Washington, during
the ensuing year, viii be tested 0y compe-
tent Chemist, a,d Nil b. furnished to town
agents az Montpelier.
l; is important that there should be a suffi-
eient number of agents in the county, so that
all persons who are disposed 10 be law-abid-
ing citizens-who dislike 10 purchase liquor
of Illegal dealers be suitably aceommo-
dated. and not 10 be C mpslled to purchase
of those who are selling contrary 10 the laws
/ of the state. Nh-re there is no town agent,
IT furnishes al excuse for illegal dealers, and
tends 10 break down the law. and create a
public sentimcn, against il. A temperance
man, and law-ablding citizen will not buv
liquor o. any man hui a town agent, if be
can possibly avoid il In the town of North
field, as an instance, during the last year,
they have lad no town agent; and we are
/ fully convinced that the tendency of this
state OF things is, to encourage quor deal
erS to sell, and Others to purchase liquors of
them Hence every such town ought to have
place where liquors for medical purposes
can be purchased of legal agent, and, not
compel those who need them to buy of ille-
gal dealers.
Lastly, the law ought TO be executed
against ali illegal dealers in liquors, 50 as TO
suppress the entire illegal traffic, or at least
as far as possible. Liquor selling and in
temperate drinking have greatly increased in
this county, il is believed, during the last
year
lntemnerance is now on The Increase
Temperance men have relaxed their efforts
for ;he cause The war has claimed the al
most exclusive attention, thoughts and anxi-
ETY. of our citizens. But, this great and
alarming evil in our midst, ought to claim
share of our attention. We hope, therefore,
that while the county commissioner shall
endeavor 10 see that good liquor is furnished
the town agents for medical purposes; and
while he shall endeavor to see to il that such
liquors are sold as judiciously as possible,
the people, especially the friends of temper
ance, will Use their influence 10 suppress the
illegal traffic. 1t is Of the highest importance
TO The welfare OF community that the sale and
use OF liquors should be confined to the pur-
poses specified by law. The commissioner
appeals TO all good citizens to aid in this nee
essary work of reform-in the endeavor to
suppess one of the greatest evils of the age.
ELI BALLoU,
Commissioner.