Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1878-06-17
THE MEETING OF THE COUNTY
REFORM CLUB.

REFORM CLUB.
An interesting and useful meeting of |
this temperance organization was held |
at South Craftsbury on Wednesday last
On account of great press of other mat
ters we cannot report it as full as it
deserves.
The meeting was called to order by |.
D. R. Collins, president. and prayer was
made by Rev. Boardman. Mr.. Collins
presented we'll written paper on the
subject of temperance and other reform,
which was well received.
The reports from the various temper
anee organizations present showed that
there was lull in active temperance
work in many localities in the county.
The Irasburgh club is, at present, the
most active in the county. 1t is believed
that little or no rum is sold in that town
outside of the agency. In Coventry the
club has mastered the enemy, and only
occasionally is there a track of the
'creetur" to be seen. 1t Is thought that
some rum is brought into town and sold
clandestinely by unknown parties. In
Craftsbury there is no place where liquor
is unlawfully sold the same is thought
to be true of Barton Landing, and sever
al other vicinities. Barton and Newport
were not thought to be the banner tenn
perance villages in the county. The re-
port from the neighboring club at North
Wolcott was very creditable. Three
hundred members, the utter defeat of the
enemy and the establishment of read
ing room and library, is the result of the
work in that place. Representatives
from Hardwick gave good accounts of
the work at South Hardwick.
The afternoon was chiefly devoted to
discussion of the mooted question, wheth-
er rumselling should be catalogued with
such crimes as theft, forgery, arson, &c.
Rev. W. J. johnson opened the discus
sion, taking the affirmative side His
remarks were pertinent and forcible. l..
H. Thompson being assigned the negative
side of the question, presented the argu-
ments of that side in an able and ingen-
ious manner. Mr.. Shedd of Coventry
also favored the negative, and put in
some effective arguments for that side.
Rev. Messrs. Clapp and Webb, Mr.. G.
H. Walworth and others spoke in the
affirmative. Mr.. Thompson in closing
that side of the question gathered up the
strong points in favor of his position,
and made very strong attack on the
enemy's ramparts. Mr.. johnson closed,
and in half hours speech, which was
filled with good sense, good points and
great ingenuity, completely demolished
the position of his opponents. 1t was a
Waterloo defeat.
Rev. Mr.. Thomas of West Glover de.
livered lecture in the evening, which
was of much interest.
The South Hardwick band was pres
ent, and added to the pleasure of the day
by the frequent discourse of appropriate
music. This band has had but few
months practice. but is able to do goot
playing, There are several excellen
musicians in it, and it is destined to b.
heard. The choir was ready at all call
to furnish appropriate music which wa
not only harmonious, but so sung tina
the aoords were understood. The people
though badly used in regard to notice o
the time, were prepared with open door
and we'll laden tables to welcome all VIII
came from out of town. The meetin,
was agreeable and interesting to thos
present from other sections, and we hop
satisfactory to the people where it wa
held.