Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1872-11-08


especially the Intelligent, Industrious,
business men of Vermont-is unchanged
and firm. They know that the rum shop
where the tempted and weak are decoyed
where their app cities are strengthened, and
their brains fired for deeds of crime, is
nuisance which should not he tolerated;
and they look, but too often look in vain,
for the class of officers now provided for, to
enforce the law and stop the evil. The Off
GERS in their turn, for want of a better ex-
cuse, complain that public $, ntinent don't
sustain them in their work. This COM
plant we regard rs an insult, at least, in
most cases, and as unfit to be made by any
officer who accepts an election and who
takes his solemn oath faithfully TO perform
his duty. We venture to express cur firm
belief that in any city, village or town in
Vermont where the prosecuting officer
should faithfully perform his duty and ef-
fcctually suppress the unlawful rum traffic,
he would find the popular sentiment of the
intelligent and business portion of the pop
ulation decidedly in his favor
But We have to deal with facts. We
have a good law against an enormous
evil 1t is for the highest good of the State
that it should be enforced. All admit that
it is not enforced as it should be. These
truths are scll-evident. What then shall be
done? Some say, "away with it, ii don't
answer lis purposes better not have law
than have it treated with such disrespect.
Let us have Il license, stringent license
law This suggestion we regard as un-
worthy to be made by sensible men. Ey-
cry law is violated. But who would ven
ture in Vermont to propose TO repeal the
laws against theft, arson, and other crimes,
and 10 license men for fee, TO steal, burn
buildings, keep gambling rooms and hous-
es of ill-fame? And why not with the
same propriety as TO repeal the law gE2lnst
the rum traffic, and license men
grog shops which stir mems passions y
| every other crime?
In view of the facts under consideration,
the most sensible course appears to be for
our legislature to provide for the appoint
ment of men to act on behalf Of the State
with special instruction and full powers to
enforce our laws now existing against the
grog-shops and their kindred sources Of
crime, and furnish them such inducements
in means of compensation rs will secure
the object. with our law remaining AS it
now is, the most efficient method for secur-
ing the desirable object, would, in our
| judgment, be by making the provisions
proposed in the state Police bill, now be-
fore the House of Representatives. BY this
measure the officers, being appointed,
would not be dependent for their office or
Al. to-. ,.r tI...s Inn
would be called on to prosecute. Having
jurisdiction through the State, they would
be free from those neighborhood relation
ships which now emharrass our prosecut-
ing officers. Having power TO carry each
case which they commence 10 final Judg-
ment, and an interest in the success OF such
prosecutions, or one half of the fine recov-
cred after it is collected and put in the State
Treasury, but not before, they would not
be very likely TO enter nouc pros. as we
have reason 10 believe is now d, ne by our
States Attorneys in many very clear cases
of guilt, where the appeal comes to the
County Court-in which the States Attor-
ney being sure of his pay, throws the cost
on the State, andSan glance smile ut the
respondent and confidently look Tor his
vote at the next election. There is reason
TO believe that the State now loses heavily
in fines and costs under the present sys
TEN, aud that many thousands of dollars
would be saved to the treasury by the meth
cd proposed, while the certainty OF tho
fines and other penalties would very great
~ re duce the violations Of law now so of
ten committed with impunity.
II has been alleged that the system IL
Massachusetts is a failure. The best reply
is that in that State, the only one which ha!
given it a fair trial, and where its value hal
become known, ii is established as an in
dispense bic institution of the State, its in
come above all expenses having averaged
over $50, 900 year, and that amount put il
the State Treasury being the least of II,
benefits. And the proposed hill now un
dei consideration for this State claims de
cided advantages over the Massachusetts
system. II should be remembered that a
in that State, the work of such officer
would not be confined to the suppression O
, the unlawful rum traffic, but having In
, same powers in all criminal cases as depu
ty sherlffs, constables and city policemen
| now nave, lutlI stINlcts may ne
! of great value in all parts of the State
without interfering with other officers an,
; more than city policemen now do with tn
, regularly elected officers Of the city.
But If we were to take up and give
sound and clear reply TO every objection
= which could be urged against the measure
, and present tho strongest possible argu
I ments in lis favor, there would still yer
; likely remain prejudice against II in som
, minds, or an opposition which exists /
! perfect harmony with the opposition TO tn
laws II would enforce, and which no reg
, soning could overcome.
F, We therefore respectfully urge the mem
., bers Of the Legislature when they are cal
a ed upon to record their votes on this bill
i to consider well whether their actor. shal
= be in accordance with the wishes of tn
criminals whose deadly work the measur
r is designed TO restrain, or according to tn
i counsel of many of our best and wisei
= men, and the highest good of the State, an
+, such as they can look back upon with pleas
4 ure, when their action shall be reviewe
under the clearer and stronger light Of al
I other day.-II. Witness.