St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1890-02-13
Gbe Galeou1llam.
John-bury, Thursday, Feb. 1a, 1890
STATE PRESS COMMENTS.
WEaf Vermont Papers Think of the High
License Movement.

Burlington Clipper: Many people
undoubtedly, are not altogether sat
ished with the prohibitory liquor
laws in Vermont, but 1t will be well
for such persons to look the matter
squarely in the face and ask what
advantages the high license plan
offers over the present laws for the
suppression of the rum traffic?
Morrisville Citizen: We think
these papers will find the task of try
ing to convince the people of Vermont
that high license IS far better for
them than prohibition very difficult
one. Better direct your labors to de-
handing the enforcement of the laws
we now have, then will prohibition
be found all right.
Middlebury Register: A DISPOSE
ton is manifested in certain quarters
to force an issue on the temperance
question during the coming state
campaign. Probably no one ac-
quainted with Vermont will main
tain for moment that the law we
haveis perfect in itself or that its prac-
teal operation IN every town is all
that could be desired However, the
state as a whole IS fairly free from
rum-sellers and rum-drinking, quite
as much so as are those communities
where high license or any other form
of liquor legislation except prOh1bi-
ton is in force. This being the case,
it would appear TO be the. part OF
wisdom to let the matter rest, or, at
any rate, to retain the principle and
torevise the law, if that would make
it more effective.
Woodstock Standard: The Rut-
land Herald whines because the press
of the state has ignored its frantic
efforts to stir up high license breeze.
Possibly the matter hasn't been
deemed worthy of notice. We advise
our neighbOr over the mountain not
to get too high in the air, he may
come down like a stick. The mouse
to be born this fall of its labor will
be exceeding small.
Island Pond Herald: The Herald
is earnestly III favor of temperance.
1t believes in moderation in all
things. 1t is opposed to sumptuary
laws, not because they enforce tenn
perance and good conduct, but for
the reason that they really promote
excesses and misdeineanors. 1t does
not approve of making acts criminal
which are in themselves innocent,
and thereby destroying respect for
law and weakening appreciation OF
the distinction between right and
wrong.
St Adams Messenger: If we are
not mistaken the people of Vermont
will face the music: on this ques-
ton in 1890 as they have faced it for
nearly forty years at the ballot-box.
The Herald evidently hatters itself
because its assaults upon the prohib-
itory law are not repealed every day
of the week, that it is to have an
easy walk-over In this it will find
not make a summer" neither does
the Rutland Herald express very
much of the temperance sentiment OF
the state. The people at no time
since the enactment of the law by
their own hands, and by large ma
jority, in 1852, have felt that its re-
peal was seriously threa tened. When
such action shall be taken as shall
satisfy them that the law is in dan
ger, it is not to be doubted that there
will again be a rallying as of old for
its maintenance, and such q rally as
will bring CONSERVATION to the Her
aid. Carry the assault far enough,
and we shall be disappointed if it
does not result in the reformation of
the old Vermont temperance society
/,
and township-with q revival and
Organiza ton of the vast temperance
sentiment and moral machinery of
the state.
Burlington Earth: The meeting
was great success as far as num-
bers were concerned, but the sober
minded citizens of the state will not
readily give adhesion to the saloon
element. 1t seems a self evident fact
that a license law, which throws the
saloons open indiscriminately to the
liquor as well as q prOhibitory law
properly enforced.
St Adams Sentry: This is the first
move in q campaign that may prove
exceedingly interesting to the advo-
Gates of the present law. But what
ever the result may be the people will
doubtless understand more about
the practical workings of the law, as
it now stands, than ever before, and
the supporters of the movement for
high license will not fail to show the
advantages of that system. So that
the mass of the people will be bene-
/, i 49, L, l.,
right will triumph. Let the contest
60 on
Poultney Journal: The question
that will overtop all others in this
state during the coming campaign,
especially in the next Legislature,
will be the question of high license.
Many of the leading temperance men
in this and other states are willing to
acknowledge that our prohibitory
law is a failure in a great measure
owing, as they claim, to neglect in
enforcing the law. After a trial OF
nearly forty years, with a change OF
men almost yearly, is it likely that
better men can be elected in the flu
ture than have been in the past? II
not, then why waste any time, but
give us n law that can be enforced, a
law that popular sentiment will help
to sustain and enforce. This is the
argument now used by those who
have been strong adherents to the
prohibition law in the past. We are
confident that this sentiment is gain
ing strength daily.
Ludlow Tribune: The opening gun
of the great campaign for law, order
and decency, has been fired, and
turns out to be a fire cracker of the
fzzle variety. This alleged move in
the interest of temperance on must