Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1868-03-13
The County Commis,iOncrship and the
City Agency.

City Agency.
Martin Wire- Of Uudcrhiu was not. We
think, originally the selection of the more
pronounced Temperance men Of the County.
for County Commissioner. There were some.
at any rate, who were not fully satisfied as
to his views and who called on him in open
convention to declare his position on the
prohibitory law. lie announced himself a
hearty friend Of the law, and promised if
elected to administe-it faithfully. In carry
Ing out this pledge, (Which he has carried
QUIT he aroused very strong opposition, espe
cially in Burlington, among the active
opponents of the law. and among some Of its
lukewam friends. The facts of the case We
understand to be as follows. Mr. Wires
was expected to re-arpoint the then town
agent, who was recommended for rc-aupoint-
ment by the Mayor and Board of Aldermen
and by divers citizens. Perhaps Mr. Wires
himself expected to re-appoint him but he
thought best to come to Burlington and look |
the ground over before doing 50. On COM
ing here certain representations Were made |
to him by some Of our citizens: after hear
ing which Mr.. Wires went to the town agent.
and told him that respectable and respon-
sibIe men had made complaints concerning
the past management of the agency. assert
ing that liquor was sold freely to improper
persons, for improper purpose; that set
Of persons were in the habit of going into
the agency at any hour Of the day and
helping themselves to drinks from the city
stock of liquors. without hindrancc from the
agent that individuals had been tried and
punished for intozication in the Recorders
Court. who testified. when sober. that they
bought their liquor, by the glass, at the
city agency; and that Of the porter, stout
and malt liquors generally, sold by him, the
agent had made no return to the city. but
had bought and sold them rs a private sIecu-
ation. He askeI the agent what he had to
~ ~ tli'l'' Via - anu w lidht ittL It-
ably informed that the agent S answer was
that he had nothing 10 sag. OF course the
gent was informed that his services would
De dispensed with shortly, and in due time
worthy, upright and eyeryway excellent
nan succeeded him The change was not
made, however, without very earnest pro-
estations on the part Of some Of those who
ad special reasons for desiring no change.
me OF them, who apparently considered
himself entitled to special consideration, it
; reported sent word to the Commissioner, I
hat he - cog'dnt ire under the proposed
hanse and the reply was sent that he would
have 70 die then" We are not aware
nat any body did die, in consequence Of the
iange in the agency; but unquestionably
lmhe', Of individuals who had depended on
ee . nips' at the agency, found the new :
ADMINISTRATION Of the Office 4 very obnoxious
lie, and the purpose and plan were soon
rmed, which were carried into effect in the
cent election Of County Commissioner
AEaong those who did not seem pleased
tn the change Of agent were q majority Of
= Board Of Aldermen, and divers threats, -.
th as that they would not turn over the
eney to die new appomtce, that theywould .
luce his salary to nominal sum, &c, =
re at ri outed to some Of them. They did
Ike a very leisurely business Of turning =
9r III liquors, and for several weeks the =,
eac' was closed-of course to the seriou :
ou venience and distress Of many sick per- .,
Is some of whom had sent here from Grand
and other places at some distance, for o.
lors ordered by their physicians, and were 81
1liged to 20 without In time, however, :.
apt, Matthews obtained possession Of the ii
rencv, and held it four months and nineteen -
lys He then resigned to 60 into pleasanter n
ID more profitable business in another city, -.
ID strange to say, paid into the city treasu- ',
$50 more, as profits from his agency for =,
third of a year, than his predecessor had re- 81
rned and paid on the sales of the whole
ar previous The figures were soon after
zen in the FREE Pass, and the propriety Of T6
me explanation of the comparatively small ag