Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1876-02-18
County Coumlssioner's Report.

In compliance with the precedent essaD-
lished by my predecessors in office, make
the following report Of my official dolngs
during the past nine months Of the year.
The following agents have been appoint
ed Burlington, Miles A. Evarts, salary
5000; Colchester, John Uphsm, $500;
Essex. Calvin Howe, SIS; Hinesburgh,
Royal Bell, SIS; Huntington, Wesley M.
johnson, 500; Jericho. Stephen Curtis,
500; Richmond C. NJ. II. Ferguson, 500;
Milton, Beloster. Irish, $500; Westford, L.
NJ. Bates. $50.
Charlotte, Shelburn, South Burlington,
Underhill, Williston, St. George and Boil
ton have no agencies,
These agents were appointed either upon
personal consultation with leading temper
ance men and citizens of the towns, or upon
petitions numerously signed and with the
unanimous approval of the selectmen No
objections were made against any OF the
agents appointed, save one. though invita-
ton was given to that end in every instance.
The agent for the city of Burlington was
appointed upon the petition OF prominent
temperance men and citizens OF the CITY,
and the unanimous approval OF the Board
of Aldermen. 1t was not made without
due elaboration nor until the objections to
the appointment had been duly considered
The law contemplstes the sale and use
Of spirituous liquors for medicinal. chem
zeal and mechanical purposes only" and
prohibits their sale for any other purpose
whatever, or by any other agents than
those duly appointed according to its pro-
visions. The proper working of the law
and the best interests of the TEN peranee
cause seemed 10 your commissioner, there
fore, to require that the liquors for such
purposes should be accessible whenever
needed. The other agencies in the county
are open during all proper hours of the
day. The city agency should follow the
same rule Illegal sales might thereby
be lessened, and temperance people
spared the modification of procuring liquor
for legitimate purposes in clandestine
way, and 10 palpable violation of the law
they are seeking to enforce.
Your commissioner deemed all these OBJ
| iects would be best accomplished by the ap-
pointment OF Mr.. Evsrts, in preference to
the gentleman named in the petition Of
other prominent temperance men and cltl-
| zens of the city. And the result has fully
| justified the action Of the commissioner.
/ Mr.. Evarts has performed the duties OF the
| agency with faithfuluess and fidelity. dis
| long and intimate acquaintance with the
/ people Of the city has prevented him from
being often imposed upon by those who
| desire liquors for other purposes than al
/ lowed BY the law he has earnestly en-
deavored to carry out fully and to she letter
the instructions Of the commissioner. Not
lisp Of dissatisfaction has reached the
ears Of the commissioner from any
quarter, with respect tothe performance
Of his duties as agent. Mr.. Evarts has
/ made popular and tfhcient agent in carry
ing out the provisions Of the law.
The agents have all given bonds to the
county for the faithful performance of their
duties The instructions issued 10 them
were the same as those of my predecessor,
and the same adopted in convention Of
county commissioners held at Montpelier,
April "a, 1874. The quarterly report blanks
were also the same, and they have been rem
dered to me promptly at the close Of each
| quarter
The amount Of liquors sold at each agency
during the three quarters ending January
81 1875. Is as follows: