Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-03-01
Orange County Commissioners Report.

Orange County Commissioners Report.
In performing the duties Of Commissioner, Wis
tied, in the month Of May, all the towns In the
county except two-Onnge and Stafford ke-
ceyng communication that no agent was wanted
in those towns, they were not visited then. only
FIVE towns asked for agents during the year, those
towns being Chelsea, Newbury, Randolph, Tops
ham and Washington
Early in May received request TO re-appont
the agent In Chelsea At my first visit after
spending considerable time in examining his books
and conyersing with the selectmcn and temper
ance men Of the place, decided not to give him
an appointment, but to adjourn the matter until
some future time AT my second visit, gave him
an appointment, thinking he would perform the
duties of the Office ~ well or better than any other
individual that could be obtained. This agent re-
ports his sale Of liquor for nine months to be forty
five gallons less than last year in correspond
ing time.
Newbury was without an agent until August
4th, when 5 L. Swasey was recommended, and
received an appointment lie has filled the Office
1t Is believed TO the satisfaction Of the Temperance
people, as have heard no complaint against him
In Randolph there seemed to be very little OPP
position to the old agent and he wasre-appointed
The sales were large but there are no agents In
the adjoining towns, and large proportion oil the
liquor sold has gone to other places. This agent
reported his sale of liquors for nine months to be
sixty one gallons less than last year in cores
bonding time
was frequently solicited TO re-appoint the old
agent in ropsham before my visit in May, but at
that time | found strong party who were op-
posed to him, and decided not to make the al'-
pointment Consequently, they were without an
agent until June 18th, when they wished me to
appoint Blanchard C. Jones' informing me that
they had agreed upon him to sell their liquor, !
gave him an appointment which he held until
October ID, at which time he sent in his resigna-
ton, in consequence Of sickness In his family
Warren Bowen was then agreed upon, and was
appointed agent lie has held the Office until the
present time, and believe he has tried to do his
duty, having reduced the sales materially. In this
place in one instance liquor was obtained by false
representation, hut the law was promptly meted
cut to the offender, and think successfully rs
have not heard Of any attempt to repeat the Of
fence At. the commencement Of the year the
authorities had a few gallons Of whiskcy which
they feared was not good. They destroyed it,
seeming to think it was better to destroy it than TO
allow any one to take poisonous dnught. be
licye II all were thus considerable, it would do much
to improve Inequality Of liquors offered by agents.
received an official report from the president
Of a meeting held in Washington May NH, 1875,
numbering some sixty persons. The main topic
Of discussion was whether an agent was wanted to
sell liquors At the close Of said meeting vote
was taken, all voting no agent except three
again received short communication from this
town, dated May Dist, signed by the first select
man and two Of the leading citizens which reads
as follows: The authorities Of the town, and
some Of the leading citizens, are anxious to have
an agent appointed; therefore, perhaps you had
better come and see what can be said and done in
the premises. Please set your time, and let us
| know It. Come as soon As convenient Accord
ing to appointment, met the first seeotman al
| the Office Of II. A. White, on the 18th Of May
After spending a short time at this place, we re.
paired to the church, where a delegation Of lade.
awaited US, who seemed anxious that should
make no appointment They presented TO
monstance signed by about seventy ladies
mostly the married ladies Of the place After Tia,
reading Of this paper, very lively discussion en-
sued-the first seactman and others contendine
that an agent should be appointed to provide
| liquors for medicinal purposes, claiming that
during an epidemic which prevailed in town the
previous year, liquor was needed 10 suppress the
disease and it was thought best to provide against
Il recurrence, and have liquor il could be oh
tanned lawfully. 1t was also held that we should
set aside the remonstrance, on the ground that Ia
dies did not vote or take part in election They
were replied TO by AIessrs Seayer aud Smith, who
claimed that all persons entitled 10 the benefit
of the law without regard 10 sex or condition
that all had right to express their views ia the
own lawful way, and this seemed to be the righ
place to demonstrate 1t was also claimed tina
the physicians could provide themselves will
liquors sufficient to meet the demands Of sickness
| took the last view consequently did not appoint
an agent, but concluded to leave the matter, and
allow that noble band OF ladies to speak for tenn
perance learn the authorities very soon re
moved the liquors they had on hand, and mad,
disposal Of it, ! am told that the inhabitants hay,
been remarkably healthy since that time, thai
their rate OF mortality Is being much smaller
than in previous years, and I think the temper
ance people in Washington have reason to perse
we're in their labors Of good to their fellow men
Amount Of sales as given to me in the quarterly
reports Of the four agents selling in the coun
try, is as follows: Chelsea has sold one hun
bred and twenty-nine and one-half gallons Of thi.
about fifty and one-half gallons has gone TO othe
towns; Newbury has sold fifty-one and one
fourth gallons, and not any TO other towns Ran
dolph has sold two hundred and sixty and three
fourths gallons, Of this ninety-four and one-hal
gallons has gone TO other towns; Topsham ha,
sold about one hundred and thirteen gallons, o.
this about twenty-five gallons has gone to othei
towns; total amount for liquors lawfully sold il
the county during the last nine months, is two
thousand two hundred dollars and ninety-eght
cents.
feel that cannot leave this subject without
expressing to tho good people of the county my
thanks for the interest which they manifested in
the cause all seemed willing to give information
sought, and in all ways TO make my labors light
and pleasant. This report ! respectfully submit.
r. p. MARTIN County Commissioner