St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1880-02-20

knOlC that his statements are wholly lu-
correct. He has made, l think, the
best argument on that side that l have
seen; but his argument is wholly neu-
tralized by his incorrect statements.
| He says, '.Does any one believe that
the town needs 80 gallons per month
for medicinal purposes 2" Does he not
know that this amount was sold to ma
ny other towns? He says that this
covers only what comes in casks, and
that ale, porter, beer, champagne, CT
der, etc., is sold in unknown quantities,
and that no report is given of these to
the public. So far as my experience
goes, this is wholly incorrect, and the
present agent tells me that every thing
of that kind is included in the number
of gallons reported. Deduct these and
the amount of liquors would be consid
erably less. Very little cider is sold,
and that is not reported. There is not,
nor ever was, any champagne at the
agency.
Mr.. Locke says that under the agen-
cy system ''the agent can purchase liq-
uers on his own account, if disposed,
and sell at discretion, and give no re-
port to the commissioner or any one
elsen-all of which is incorrect. 1t is
ve1y evident that Mr.. Locke knows
but little about the prohibitory law, if
he did he would never have made state
ments which are so far wrong. 1t is
very certain that he does not know
what he is talking about.
l do not find fault with what he says
about former agents. If the garment
fits any one let him wear it. If | knew
it fitted me | would certainly wear it.
think it best always to wear good tit =
ting garments. But does it follow that
every body in responsible places is
dishonest because there is now and then
a defaulter? Mr.. Locke would not
wish to be judged by such a rule as
this. The great argument in this mat
ter seems to be that the agency does
not work to perfection. 1t is not
claimed that it does. 1t is like all hui
man affairs, quite imperfect. But does
it not come us near perfection as many
other things-as many other institu-
tions-say ouI cOngress-Or any of our
institutions, secular or sacred
Our court is probably the most i'm
portant secular institution in the coun-
try. How does that institution work
1t has learned judges, able lawyers, and
competent officers. Then there are two
rows of men in arm chairs, with legs
over the rail, that remind one of two
rows of cabbage heads. Is there any
: certainty that their decisions will pun
ish the guilty or render justice between
man and man ? no matter what the
proof may be. But shall we abolish
courts because of their imperfections
But some there are who claim that ev-
erything in regard to the ohibitory
law, town agencies and all temperance
matters, shall work to perfection.
Mr.. Locke says that ''first-class
physician told him that there was not a
reasonable doubt that nineteen TWEEN
tieths of the liquor sold at our agency
is used for drinking purposes" This is
the opinion of one man, and very like
ly very prejudiced one.
Misrepresentation and false state
ments have been made and persisted in
from the beginning of this movement.
Statistics have been given which have
been proved to be false by more than
one-half; yet No retraction has been
made. | think Mr.. Locke should not
have made statements that he cannot
substantiate still do not question his
integrity. He further says 'there is
to-day pile of bottles at the st. Johns
bury House which went from our agen-
Cyl filled with liquors, which liquors
were purchased and used for drinking
, purposes only-his (Mr. Walker's) or
ders are always honored at the agency
r etc. Mr.. Hall tells me that he has not
sold to that House more than about
four times since he has had the agency
So much for another mis-statement.
: This article is getting too lengthy
and still | have not said near all l in.
) tended to say. l have looked over the
) law, and have asked the opinion of the
best legal authority, which authority
says that there is nothing in the law
5 either by letter or by implication, to
authorize the town to take any actor
such as is contemplated.
. l hope that all the zeal that has beer
D expended of late will not subside afte
e the March meeting, but that we shall
a have the aid of numerous persons il
t temperance work that we have not haC
hitherto-if we shall, l shall not regre
r the present discussion of this subject.
e Mr.. Editor, am poor in titles ani
s have not the prefix or addition of any
E whatever, which is extremely bad whel
r titles are so cheap. l can only sub
!. scribe myself plain Fl. S. WRIGHT.
The Agency Question.