Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1886-04-09
AGAINST LAW AND ORDER.

The following account, is taken from
the columns of "A recent issue of the Worth
american. the oldest and one of the most
conservative and reputable papers of
Philadelphia
The Hotel and Saloon-keeper's Union
yesterday declared war against law and
order--a cruel. relentless war in which
no mercy will be shown to opponents of
the liquor interests, even if clothed in
the authority of the commonwealth.
The boycott of the knights of Labor will
sink into utter insignticance compared
with the boycott of the liquor men. The
meeting yesterday afternoon showed by
its earnestness and enthusiasm that every
man was ready to go to extremes to car
ry out the agreement made. \ printed
circular was sent to each member of the
Hotel and Saloon-keepers' Union, signed
by Louis Fresney, president, and b.
Montague, secretary. \ line at the bot
tom advised each member to bring the
circular with him, and he was warned
that business of importance would be
transacted About two hundred mem
bers responded.
They had forgotten to appoint door
keeper, and some people had succeeded
in getting in who had no business there
The president requested all who were not
members to leave the room. Several
men walked out. a man was then in
structed to lock the door in the rear of
the room, and the door-keeper was in
structed to admit no one without creden-
tials in the shape of the printed circulars
which had been sent out. Even these
precautions did not satisfy the president,
for every man present was compelled to
show copy of the circular, and take
solemn pledge that to the best of his be-
lief there were no reporters in the room,
and that he would not reveal the nature
of the important business to be trans
acted.
The president announced that the liq
uOr men were organizing all over the
country, and that the membership of
their own body was increasing rapidly.
This information was received with APP
plauSe. The political side of the liquor
question was briefly discussed, and all
agreed to stand by their former promise
to aid in the election of men who favor
the cause of whskcy. The members
were advised to get in their work at the
primaries, and see that the right men
were nominated. At the polls they
should not ask what IA candidates politics
were, but find out whether he was for or
against the liquor interests. The instruc-
tons applied to every political office,
whether municipal, State or National.
The boycotting scheme. which was the
leading feature of the meeting, was APP
preached cautiously, for it so closely re-
sembled criminal conspiracy that the
secretary did not even dare to put it
down in black and white by spreading it
on the minutes. One member began the
subject by short explanation.
"Gentlemen," he said. ''you all know
that before any cases against Us get into
the courts they are passed upon by the
grand jury.
"Twenty-four men good and true"
sarcastically interrupted an uptown sal
loon keeper.
TOO good for us, continued the first
speaker. "EXperience has shown you, |
think, that true bill is found in nearly
every saloon-keepers' case. That's what
we want to stop, and we can do it. If
the grand jury will ignore bills against
us we are safe"
GLOW are you going to get them to do
it, came from one of the back seats.
Boycott every grand juror who dares
to indict saloon-keeper, was the reply.
tproarious applause followed.
The plan was then unfolded 70 the nj
cest detail. \ list of every grand juror
will be secured by the Union, and if Il
true bill is found against saloon-keepcr,
every member will be furnished with the
name and address of each Juror. Should
a Juror be "A business man, no saloon
keeper will patronize him. Every other
business man who buys goods of that
juror will also be boycottcd; and every
relative and friend of the saloon-keeper's
will be cOaXed or threatened to assist in
the boycott. As there are over 5000
saloon-keepers in the city they expect,
with the aid of their friends and relatives,
to crush any business man who, while ON
the grand jury, dares to oppose them.
''If Il juror is not in business we can
reach him in other ways explained the
speaker. ''If he is only an employee we
must try by every means at our COM
mand to have him discharged from his
position. Then prevent him from get
ting work elsewhere. Refuse To deal
with any party that gives him employ
ment, or with any party that patronizes
his employer. Give him no rest, harass
him, hound him, until he leaves the city.
Annoy him at every onnnrtunitV If a