News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1882-03-02
Questions by a Taxpayer.

What induces men to oppose the en-
forcement of a law that if obeyed
would save to the county of Lamoille
more than $4,000 per annum-a sum
far exceeding the entire poor tax OF
the county?
Why is it that almost every clergy
man, with many other good, quiet,
notwithstanding men, are sc much
more devoted and outspoken in regard
to the cause of temperance than the
office-seekers?
Why is it that mothers so often
manifest so much more zeal in the
cause Of temperance than their hus-
bands? Is it because they do not rely
upon some little petty office as a
means of popularity and do dare to do
their duty?
What induces fathers to encourage
their children to break any law, or to
treat with disrespect the efforts made
to suppress intemperance?
Why is it that some members of the
Vermont legislature from Lamoille
county. who with pride stood in their
places at Montpelier and advocated
and voted with an overwhelming ma
jority for our present liquor law and
now when called upon to aid in rem
dering such law available, under the
cover of some weak subterfuge ask to
be excused?
Do our liquor laws enable every
man to get all the liquor he needs, OF
good quality and at fair prices?
And finally, what do the enemies OF
our temperance laws expect to make
if they succeed in neutralizing its force
or defeating the benefits which it was
intended to give us, by the election of
a County Commissioner, and County
midtown Grand Jurors who are hostile
to the law? TAXPAYER.
The questions Of Taxpayer" we
will rot attempt to answer. We know
from personal observation how many
good people there are who are hearty
in their approval of all laws enacted
in the interest of temperance, but who
are "agin their enforcement"
If the taxpayers were as careful to
have competent officials whose duty it
is to see that the temperance laws are
faithfully carried out, as they are to
elect the man of their choice forever
seer of the Poor, Collector of Taxes,
or Listers, no rum Spectator would
dare take the chances of violating the
law, but so long as towns continue to
elect boards of civil authority that will
put men in nomination for grand and
petit jurors, whose official oaths will
exert no more restraint over their of
fetal acts than a glass of whisky, rum
spectators will snap their fingers at
the law, and triumphantly say "We
are safe" Taxpayers" reference to
the election of grand jurors is really
one which a proftably be brought
to the notice of our citizens for their
consideration at the coming town
meetings.
Our statute makes it the duty of
the board of civil authority to recon-
mend for the consideration of the town
meeting a list of names for grand and
petit jurors, after which it becomes
the right and, we think, the duty of
voters to vote upon such recommends
ton. If proper men be presented by
the board of civil authority, cote for
them, otherwise don'tdo it, and friends
of temperance everywhere may blame
themselves if they neglect this duty.
We should not abuse or sacrifice our
noble right as freemen for fear that
we will loose somebody's vote or the
sale of a pound Of tea. No voter has
the moral right to settle back with
calm indifference for the reason that
he believes himself and family safe.
should, to some extent, consider
himself the custodian of the veal Of
others.
The n in which the influence
of those opposed to temperance laws
in the making of these nominations is
executed may not be as apparent 20
all as is the fact that such an infu-
ence is exerted. For example: Some
time during town meeting, after the
most exciting business is over, some
one announces that the board of civil
authority will then get together to
make the nominations of grand and
petit jurors. Sometimes one-half the
board will be present, frequently only
three OF four, but of these two or
three do most of the talking. One of
the ''fellers in CHARGE" who is looking
the interests of the rumselIer,
suggests that SO and so is "a
good %feller," and Railways voted right"
Another of the board, who is in the
secret, suggests that so and Sc ssnever
had an Office" s'no more than right
that he should have something" and
before it has dawned upon the mind
those not on the alert, the list is
completed, and it would be just as futile
o try 10 enforce the law against Nor
nonism before a Mormon jury as to
ny a case of violation of temperance
with town or county grand jurors
IF this kind.
The facts are hat the contest be-
.ween temperance and anti-temper-
lnce is really one between rum policy
and money on the one hand, and NOR
duty and self-proteetien on the
and if Taxpayer" doubts it let
linn watch the machinery. He will
ind all on ''the still hunt" plan but
whether it be in the election of town
grand jurors, county grand jurors,
oetit jurors, County Commissioner, or
Attorney, it is frequently sue
and will cOntinue tn he 40 nm