Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1888-02-17
ADDISON COUNTY TEMPERANCE So.

ton then adjourned.
ADDISON COUNTY TEMPERANCE So
CIETY.
The annual meeting of this society was
held at the lecture room of the Congre-
gational church on Wednesday afternoon
and was we'll attended. Mrs. Clinton
Smith of Middlebury, first vice-president,
called the meeting to order, and the Sec
retary read the notice. Scripture was
read and prayer offered by Prof. Yager
The report of the secretary and treas
urer was read, accepted and adopted.
This committee on nominations was
chosen: Addison, Rev. J. H. Lincoln; ;
Cornwall, Rev. NJ. c. Stebbins; Middle
bury, Dea. L. C. Barrows; Monkton,
Danl Meader; New Haven, Ira j. Twitch-
ell Panton, r. L. Bristol; Salisbury, G..
A. Bump; Weybridge, w. G. Sturtevant.
On motion of Rev. Mr.. Palmer of Mid
dlebury committee on resolutions was
appointed as follows: DR.. F. Bond of
Cornwall, F. E. Stewart of Weybridge,
Rev. Mr.. Palmer. Mr.. Palmer wished to
be excused and Prof. Wager was chosen
in his place.
Rev. DIR. White of Middlebury made
an address. The prohibitory law, he
said, could not be executed till there was
a better public sentiment. There are too
many in every community who do not
believe even in total abstinence. The
fact is, however. that the use of wine
has been productive of wrong and shame
from the days of Noah to our own. We
need to 60 back to the beginning. 1t is
ridiculous to pay the county commits
sioner less than $50 a year. There are
those who honestly doubt whether the
law can be executed. He believed it
could; for it was right. The teaching in
our schools of the effects of alcohol and
narcotics is move in the right direction.
We must get our courage up. We must
do more work and indulge in less political
squabbling. He didn't see the way clear
for third party. Nothing can be ac-
complished for temperance till the people
are awakened to the sinfulness of dram
drinking. The point is to execute the
law. We have installed at Washington
a political steed, but he is not up to the
2 20 gait for prohibition. He did not
take much stock in high license, because
it would not accomplish anything toward
diminishing the sales of liquor. Maine
adopted prohibitory law in 1851 and it
works well in that it diminshes sales
and makes the selling and drinking dis
reputable. Prohibition sentiment is ad-
vancing and it needs only combined work
to make that policy universal. The
liquor habit is the great cause of poverty.
Legislation against liquor-drinking is
progressing in Scotland and elsewhere in
the old world. An immense amount of
work needs to be done in the way of
teaching both the high and the low the
harmful effects of the use of intoxicants.
The recent decision of the United States
supreme court in favor of prohibition is
great point gained. A censurable apa-
thy on the subject is the great hindrance
to the work. Personal conservation is
needed most of all.
Rev. Mr.. Lincoln reported as follows
for the committee on nominations, and
the report was accepted and adopted:
President, Rev. NJ. c. Stebbins of Cornwall; /;
vice e-presidents, Mrs. Clinton smith of Md
dlebury and Rev. W. NJ. Mayhem of Whiting:
secretary and treasurer, f. ii. Thorp of Mid
dlebury; executive committee, +. +. Stewart
OF Weybridge (chairman), Rev. NJ. ii. Smith of
vergennes, Ira Tupper of Ferrisburgh, c. E.
Smith OF Bristol, Rufus Smith of Addison, II.
T. Bristol of Panton, Daniel Meader OF Monk
ton, Ira j. Twitchel of New Haven, NJ. A.
Thomas OF Salisbury, T. p. Dwight Matthews
of Cornwall, j. f. Crane of Middlebury, Frank
Burge of Shoreham, Marcellus Royce OF Or
well, A. X. Hubbard OF Whiting j. +. Russell
of Bridport, l.. c. Needham OF Leicester.
F. f. Stewart thought that, inasmuch
as the nomination of county commits
sioner would hereafter be made in the
party conventions, there was room for
doubt whether this society had further
reason for existence. Its annual meet
ings had been largely in the nature of
supplements to the nominating conven-
tions. Prof. Yager thought the organ
ization ought not to be given up. Mr..
Stewart reaffirmed his belief that there
should be more enthusiasm shown. Judge
Knapp spoke strongly in favor of perpet-
uating the society, which had been use
full and would be useful in time to come.