The Middlebury register and Addison County journal. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1883-1885, 1884-10-03

WE publish elsewhere letter from
ReY. NJ. d. Jump of Burlington, in which
he replies to remarks made in the last
issue of this paper upon his address de-
livered in Middlebury on the evening of
the 10th ult. He says he said Just what
he intended to say. But that cannot
have been the case if he used the word
''magistrate' in its dictionary sense.
Ninety-nine out of every 100 in popular
audience, and nine out of ten members
of the legal profession, would say that a
magistrate is one who sits for the hearing
of cases. That is the usual use of the
word in this part of the world. When,
therefore, it was said that 'magistrates
violated their official oaths.' nincty-nine
per cent of the audience understood that
the charge made was against justices of
the peace, municipal Judges and the
Judges of the county courts. The major
ity of our readers will bear us out in this
assertion. Mr.. Jump denies that the
statements he made were exaggerated
or sweeping" That is his opinion, based
upon his knowledge of the facts. 1t is
our opinion that when a man charges OF
insinuates that those who in a judicial
capacity administer our laws upon the
liquor traffic, or any other laws, habitu-
ally violate their official oaths, he is talk
ing of that concerning which he knows
nothing No reasonable person will say
he believes that the prosecuting officers
do their full duty in respect of the liquor
law; but it seems to us absurd to include
in the same category those before whom
the cases are tried. The natural infer.
ence from the closing sentence of the let.
ter under consideration is that these
statements are made with the view of eX,
posing the abuses and thus correcting
them ''by public sentiment" But pub
lie sentiment in and of itself amounts tC
little. If aroused, the most effectual way
in which it could exert itself would be
through the enactment of laws looking
TO the reform of the alleged abuses. Sucf
laws, however, already exist. In chap
ter 1876 of the revised laws, which deal
with "Traffic in Intoxicating Liquor" il
this section:
When Justice, grand juror, consta
BILE, selectman, county commissioner
sheriff, sheritf>s deputy, States attorney
or other officer whose duty it is to en-
force any of the provisions of this chap
ter, does not, on proper application bein!
made to him. perform faithfully his du
ties as specified in this chapter, he shall
be prosecuted by indictment or informa
ton of the States attorney and fined no
more than one hundred dollars and no
less than twenty dollars,
THE speaker knew precisely what h
was talking about; and could give tn
facts" he says; and his object in expos
ing the abuses is to have them corrected
by public sentiment. But as we hav
shown, public sentiment respecting thes
very same offences has expressed itsel
in law designed for the punishment o
offenders. 1t strikes US that public sent
ment has accomplished all it can IN tn
premises. The only thing necessary +
the punishment of the offender is that tn
proper authorities should possess reliabl
information of the offence. The law
all right, and here is man who can "giv
the facts" The best way for him to col
rect the abuses is to impart his informs
ton to the proper officer. To make til
charges in public addresses will do n
good, because public sentiment has ac
ed; it is now for him and such as he, VIII
know precisely what they are talkin
about, to do their part under the law b
securing the punishment of those WI
break It, We have pointed out ver
clearly, we think, the method provide
for correcting the abuses charged. No