The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1882-04-07
EYA correspondent of the Boston
Globe who appropriately dates his COM

Globe who appropriately dates his COM
munication April l, writes as follows:
The question of prohibition rs. license
is being quietly discussed throughout
the state. There is no public agitation
only the sober thought and calm DELHI
Grafton Of the people. This Is in man,
ner caused by the debates in Massachu.
sets, and the more so because of the
failure in Vermont to execute the liquor
and nuisance laws on our statute books.
The Legislature of 1882 is probably
to be called upon to consider these
matters growing ont of the condition
of affairs at Rutland, St. Adams, Ben
nington, Brattleboro, Bellows Falls,
White River junction and other large
towns in the state. Many of the PEG.
pie are coming to concede that one may
be genuine friend OF temperance
without believing a prohihi.ion law
tho only ruStiIvd or reform. The adj
vocates of prohibition have been until
recen ly. unwilling to admit men of
moderate views to their counsels or re-
gard them as temperance men In any
sense. An intolerant spirit has pre-
vented fair discussion of the Issues
which relate to the suppression or pre-
vention Of intemperance. A change
seems now to have como oyer the pub
lie mind, and an element among radical
temperance reformers seems willing TO
discuss the question whether prohibi-
ton prohibits under the present statutes
relating the sale of liquors. All intelli-
gent citizens agree that the good results
expected from prohibition, after nearly
thirty years of trial, have not been at.
tanned In Vermont. That the question
Will be discussed both by press and
people before the fall election is becom-
Ing very apparent to careful observers,
causing however, little public excite.
ment until the Legislature meets In
October next.
Many other Democratic and rum
papers are giving space to the same
kind of talk. II is evident that the ad.
vocates of license law are quietly
preparing for campaign In this state
in which their views arc to esitated.
There Is little need OF showing the
falsity of such talk as tho above. The
prohibitory sentiment of the state Is
evidently growing stronger instead OF
weaker. This is shown by the increas-
ing activity and boldness of temperance
men everywhere In the state. Though
apparent failure may have followed
their efforts In some of the large towns.
yet the very fact oftheir greater activity
shows an increasing public sentiment
behind them. 1t Is certain that the
people of Vermont will not call for q
license law to remedy the evils Of in-
temperance until the prohibitory law
has had what has not yet been accorded
to it-a chance to show what 1t can do
in that direction. License Is no correc.
tive of the evils of the alcoholic traffic
II has proved itself in Massachusetts,
and everywhere else an insidious means
of spreading intemperanc among the
young, who could not be reached by {
traffic placed under the ban of the law
No matter how strict q license Law
may be, 1t Is violated with as much
impunity by unlicensed sellers as ,
prohibitory law can be, and the YER,
men whose interests are most affected
by such unlicensed sale those who tax,
out and pay for licenses-dare no
; prosecute the unlicensed sellers, for th,