St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1880-02-06
County Temperance Convention.

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called to order by Edward P. Allen
secretary, when Thomas Martin wal
elected temporary chairman. Afte
prayer by Rev. E. S. Locke, the repor
of the last meeting was read by tb.
secretary.
On motion of S. C. Otis, convention
proceeded to elect permanent officers
as follows;
President-Thomas Martin.
Secretary and Treasurer-Edwari
P. Allen.
Executive Committee-W. H. Pres
ton, st. Johnsbury E. w. Clark, Bar
net; Geo. R. Drew, Danville.
Vice Presidents-Barnet, A. s.
Laughlin; Burke, Alfred Finney; Dan
vile, Charles Gates Greton, Thomas
B. Hall; Hardwick, H. E. Carter
Ryegate, John Currier Walden, C. j.
Bell Wheelock, Chas. Rogers; SUIT
ton, II. A. Blake; Sheffield, S. C. Otis
Lyndon, w. P. Houghton; Newark,
Henry Packer; Kirby, P. w. Russell /;
Stannard, j. Fl. Clark Waterford,
iona. Lawrence st. Johnsbury, E. It.
Fairbanks.
The report of the County Commits
sioner was then called for, when C. L..
Morrill, made a detailed report of the
sales of liquor at the agencies during
the past eight months. He said that
before appointing his agents, he con-
suited with the selectmen of each town,
and also the former commissioner, and
then made his appointments, which
were the same as the previous commits
sioner had made except in the town of
Danville. Some complaints had been
received of both the Burke and Pea
cham agencies. In one case he found
the complaint without cause, and in
the other the matter was remedied.
There are only six towns where agen-
cies are established, as follows: Burke,
Danville, Hardwick, Lyndon, Peacham,
st. Johnsbury. This town sells much
the most liquor at its agency of any
town but it will be remembered that
besides supplying its own people, it
has to furnish liquor for Barnet, Water
ford, Kirby, a part of Danville, and a
part of Walden. Notwithstanding this
fact, the sales have gradually decreased
for the past two years. The total
amount sold in the county in the past
eight months, was 1139 gallons, for
which S4033.60 was received.
On motion of w. H. Preston the
proceeded to nominate a
person for county commissioner to be
at the next March election.
Charles l.. Morrill, was unanimously
nominated. Edward T. Fairbanks, j.
P. Otis, and Charles Gates were ap-
pointed a committee Oh resolutions.
After dinner, reports from the several
towns were heard. A. S. Laughlin
knew of no place where liquor was sold
at Stevens Village. They had no
agency, and thought it was easier to
control the sale for that reason. There
were four temperance organizations in
town, and he called the sentiment Of
the place healthy.
Thomas Martin was asked to speak
for McIndoes. He said there were
few hard cases, but as whole he called
it temperance community. He knew
of no place where liquor could be
bought.
George R. Drew reported for the
north part of Danville. He said the
worst atfliction they had was a few
who persisted in making and drinking
cider ahd beer. In this way a good
many drunkards were manufactured.
AT the Green there is one young man
who is under the influence of liquor
most of the time. He abuses his fami-
Iy, and although his wife tells that he
gets the liquor at Aaron Smiths hotel,
no action is taken against the seller.
l.. Morrill, had no doubt that liquor
was sold at the Green, and that St.
Johnsbury men bought it there.
Charles Gates said he was not dele
gated to report for Peacham, but he
was radical temperance man and
would say few words. He had
to make. Within a year he
had sinned-he had taken about a glass
of whiskey. 1t did not answer the pur-
pose for which it was intended. but
caused grief to himself and family. He
did not believe there was any need of
intoxicating liquor even for medicine.
w. Fl. Ward was not prepared to re-
port from Hardwick. That town was
not free from intemperance, but how
the liquor was brought in he did not
know. He was sure it did not come
by railroad or express. Mr.. Ward is
station agent Asa Woodbury., being
called upon, thought the Reform Club
in Hardwick was doing a good work,
and believed there was a less amount
Of liquor drank there than he had ever
known.
Harvey Dunn said Ryegate was
temperance town, and he did not know
where he could procure any liquor if he
wanted it. Some liquor was brought
in there from other towns, and some
from out of the state.
John Whitcher said there was no
agency in Walden, but those who want
ed LIQUOR could procure plenty in the