The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1890-10-09

same service unuer slinllar conuitionS'
The act is suitably guarded by proper ex-
ceptions.
At the risk of quoting too literally the
views of another, / take from the first
annual report of the Interstate commerce
commissioner commission including
s,rong others, an honored son of Ver-
mont, Hon. Aldice f. Walker-giving
its views af the statute above referred to,
after having observed its workings.
Speaking first of favoritism in the trans
portation OF freight, they then proceed in
the following emphatic language:
''The evils of free transportation of
persons We're not less conspicuous than
those which have been mentioned. Con-
cerning freights-this, where it extends
beyond the persons engaged in railroad
service, was commonly favoiitism in a
most unjust and offensive form. Free
transportation was given not only to Sc
cure business, but to conciliate the favor
of localities and of public bodies; and,
who had, or claimed to have influence
which was capable of being made use of
% the prejudice of the railroads, it was
llso accepted by public officers of all
grades and of all varieties of service. In
hese last cases, the pass system was par
icularly obnoxious and baneful; for if
my returns were to be made, or expected
If public officers, it was of something not
heirs to give, but which belonged to the
>ublic or to constituents. A ticket en-
itling one to free passes by rail was Of
en- more effective in enlisting the assis-
ance and support of the holder than its
Jalue in money would have been, and in
great many cases it would be received if
when the offer of money, made to accom-
)lish the same end would have been
ipurned as IA bribe. Much suspicion of
public men resulted, which was some
lines just, also sometimes unjust and
ruel; and some deterioration of the NOR
Il sense of the community, traceable to this
;ause, was unavoidable while the abuse
continued. The parties most frequently
md largely favored were those possess
ing large means and having large business
interests.
"The general fact comes to me, that in
proportion to the distance they were car
ried those able to pay the most pay the
least. One without means had seldom
any grounds on which to demand free
transportation, while with wealth he was
likely to have many grounds on which he
oould make it for the interest of the rail
road company to favor him, and he was
sometimes favored with free transporta-
tions not only for himself and his family,
but for business agents also, and even
sometimes for his customers. The de-
mand for free transportation was often
in the nature of blackmall, and was yield
ed to unwillingly, and through fear of
damaging consequences from refusal.
But the evils were present as much when
it was extorted as when freely given"
1t is difficult to understand why the pro-
visions Of the interstate statute above
referred to should not be adopted in Ver-
mont. But it is unnecessary that add to
the argument of the interstate commerce
commission any of my own. have con-
ferred with the presidents of the leading
railroads in Vermont, and am assured
that with such condition as shonld prop
erly be made, such a law would probably
meet the hearty approval of every railroad
manager in the state. l earnestly hope
that you will not conclude the labors
of this session without placing upon our
statute book law substantially like that
quoted from the United States statute.
TEMPERANCE.
An attempt will be made at the present
session to disturb the long established
! policy of this state on the question of
temperance. l do not deem it necessary
to multiply words upon this subject. The
people of Vermont are not ready to lega-
lize the sale of Intoxicating liqnors in
public saloons, and all legislation should
be in harmony with the idea. If you find
the present law defective, correct these
defects; if you find any part thereof
dead letter on our statute books, repeal it;
if over.zealous friends of temperance
have secured the passage of such laws
which tend to impair the entire prohibi-
tory system of our state, modify such
| provisions to the end that the law may
more and more command the respect and
/ support of all good citizens, never forget
ing that the policy of prohibition is too
firmly intrenched in the hearts of the
great body Of the common people to al
low our seriously entertaining any prop.
osition of repeal My predecessor has de-
voted to this subject vast amount of
thought, and has given you in his retiring
message the result of his labors. l heart
lily endorse his recommendations, based
as they are upon an extensive experience
in liquor prosecutions and coming as they
do from one whose warm interest in all
matters pertaining to temperance entities
him to voice the sentiments of its friends
in Vermont.
AUSTRALIAN BALLOT SYSTEM.
The privilege of every voter to cast his
ballot without fear, and subject to no i'm
proper influence or espionage, is one of
the most sacred RICHES of American citi-
zenship. That the Australian system pro-
tects this right of the voter more fully
than any otEer yet suggested, is conce-
ded. Where it has been tried it has be-
come popular. The only important OBJ
lection to its sdoption, that l have heard
expressed, is that of expense. For the
purpose of carefully investigating this OBJ
, lection, ! h We cOrresponded with the
smaller towns in Massachusetts where
the law is in operation and learn that the
, cost is too small to be worthy of consid-
eIaion, being from five dollars to twenty
dollars in places corresponding in popu-
IatiOn to the large majority of Vermont