Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1874-01-23
Temperance Meeting at Chester,

Temperance Meeting ut Chester,
The annual meeting for the choice OF
officers was held oD the 18th inst. at the
Baptist church by the Union Temper
ance Society. After the election of OF
ficers the society was addressed by Rev.
Charles Hubbard, who in an earnest
manner gave an account OF the traffic in
spirituous liquors rs a beverage, and en-
couraged the friends of the cause in the
good work already begun-citing many
towns in this State as worthy examples
in the effort to enforce the law, aud cit.
ing the progress in some o. the western
States and also in Europe, and the en-
couraging movement begun by petition
to our Congress upon the subject, all of
which was pleasing to the friends of the
prohibition. He Endorsed that part of
Gov. Washburn's message which treated
upon the subject of the law in that State
saying that the sentiments therein ex-
pressed were in accordance with his own
views. BY request the Sec, Mr.. Gar
field read from a paper that part of
Gov. Washburn's message.
Mr.. S. III. Leonard, our Town Grand
Juror, in very lively and animated
manner, spoke of the law as every way
adapted to the wants of the people, and
the spikes and forks placed by the law
behind the officer toprompt him to do his
duty compelling him to execute the law,
and failing to do so he was liable t.
prosecution. His only chance by the
law was to stand up to the rack fodder
or no fodder.
Geo. L. Fletcher Esq. gave one of his
most animated and interesting speeches
on this occasion, abiding to the action
of the committee in giving notice to al
Iun Keepers and others, that they must
stop the sale of intoxicating drinks as s
beverage = giving them notice that il
was resolved that the law should be exc
cuted Each one made answer tina
they would observe the law and do al
requested, but their acts proved the vic
lation of their answers. They were pros
ecuted by the Grand Jury at Woodstock
and fined. To destroy the moral fore
and benefit which might result from tn,
prosecution, one of the law breaker
took paper which had the finger mark
of an inebriate upon it, and, as repor
says, two hundred of our most respectd6l
citizens signed it representing that tn
violator of the laws of our State, haC
kept nice and orderly house and ask
ing the States attorney to take this pa
per into consideration as an endorsement
of the sentiments of the town that N
fine should be enacted, but he was hap
Ply to say that said paper had no sue
effect, and that he was warranted in say
ing that the fine was not reduced from
six hundred dollars to two hundred an,
| forty dollars, but that the States Attor
ney looked upon said paper as an effo1
to draw him from his official duties. /
referring futher to said paper he said b
was willing to admit what was elaine
as to the most respectable citizens wh
signed it, but claimed the act aoGs more
degradation. He also said it was the
as it had been for TWO years past, the dl
ty of the citizens of the town to procur
the prosecution against all and ever
violator of the statute at home, and M
wait until each yearly converting of til
county Grand Jury for by so doing til
moral effect is lost ; but if the either
of each town would stand by the tow
, Grand Juror and notice each and ever
violator, it would have great force an
good would result from their actio
that there was no occasion to act secret,
! but openly and with determination as
: executing any other law of the State.
: The Rev. Mr.. Chaffee, H. B. Wood
: Mr.. Wilson, J. j. Miner, and S. !
: Weston made interesting remarks all il
dorsing the law and in favor of enforcin
: it in full, notwithstanding the most r
8 spectacle portion of our citizens opinic
Q to the contrary.
, A MEMBER.
Over 10000 acres of land were fo