Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1863-10-16

cause it does not accomplish those objects
for which it was enacted and because this
failure is remediless under such a law
We can put aside theorizing and specu-
lation now in considering the law. Its
validity as a law is conceded; its inefIi-
cacy as reform is demonstrated. 1t has
been tried for several years it has been
amended and perfected wherein trial de-
veloped weakness to its advocates and
friends. 1t is tho matured product Of
their wisdom, sincere zeal and watchful
experience. But with all this it is mis-
orably effective in restraining the traffic
in liquors. Wherefore maintain t, then ?
Why preserve a law which is practically
a dead letter; which is of the least effect
where it is most required; which is doubt
less effective where there is the slightest
need of it? Believing that the inefec-
tiveness Of this Liquor Law is remediless
we think it should yield to another, diff
ferent in principle, which will be more
effective as a restriction on the general
sale Of liquors, and which shall also bring
to the state treasury in this time of ne
cessity a handsome revenue.
"But," perhaps a friend of this law will
say of this, "The Liquor Law is not so
ineffective as you represent it" Let US
see how this is. In which of the large
towns Of Vermont is the sale of liquor
prevented? It is not in Burlington, not
in Montpelier, not in Rutland, or Brat F..
tleboro, or St. Albans There may be |
such towns, but we are sure they are few
and exceptional. 1t is not doubtful that
the Law is kept. 1t is certain that it is
broken, though how much is not gener-
ally known, If the friends of this Law
will 90 to the Collectors office Of Inter
nal Revenue in the several districts in
Vermont, they will find the demonstra-
ton of the impotence Of the Law. The
number Of licenses taken out under the
federal excise law shows the approximate
number Of sellers, but not the 'ghole num-
Der, as every Collector will probably de-
clare. In the largest towns in the state,
each Of which should have one agent
to sell liquors, are from ten to
ft1y licensed liquor sellers. Take this
district for example: in Bolton there are
two; in Richmond three; in Milton five ;
in Colchester six in Bakersfield five
10 St. Abans eleven; in Burlington for
ty eight, with an increased number of ap-
plications for the next year. In Mont
peler there are some two or three dozen
in Rutland about the same number. In
other towns we have not found the op
portunity to examine the records, but
from the best information we can get we
believe there is little difference in their
favor on the score of temperance. So
we have rigid Prohbitory Law with
severe penalties and at least forty eight
sellers of liquor in Burlington. Proba-
bly, there are ten-perhaps twenty more.
There are twenty or thirty in each Of the
other great towns small towns have
their proportion. These are the facts
about it. Does not the statement demon
strate the ineficacy of the Law? Now,
besides this, 60 TO any wholesale vendor
of liquor in the state for his opinion on
the law, and if he is candid he will tell
you the Law suits him he wants no
change. Is that a Good Prohibitory
Law which sellers Of the commodity
whose sale is prohibited do not want
changed? J? Not so at all.
"But the Law is a good one, only it is
not enforced" 1t is clear that it is not
1t is equally clear that the
Law is not a good one because it is not
and cannot be enforced. Such
laws have failed elsewhere as this one has
failed here. All similar attempts to do
similar things by legislation have uni
rormly failed. This last failure only en- ;
phasizes all experience. Why is not the
aw enforced? The men who are in fa, {
vor of it have controlled the legislature |
and have armed the Law with all the
powers and legal sanctions which their
discretion, their experience and ingenuity |
have suggested. We may presume that {
heir talents in this line are exhausted, t
however fertile in resources they may be. i
Why do they not enforce it? Why do c
lot they see that it is enforced? Some '
hing more is required than the mere en- G
lctment of law Of this character TO give G
effectiveness. s
We have seen spasmodic efforts to en- r
orce the Law, but the vigilance and en- v
'rgy requisite are itful, while the dispo- Y
ition to violate it is steady and strong. |.
The Law is constantly broken; punish a
nent is occasional, slight, and stings more b
han II repraecaa tho colo Tf tho rotob 4,