The Press., 1894-12-20
AN EXPERIMENT WORTH
 TRYING.

III luo eldDOfaGlOn or a theory TOT the control of the liquor traffic in towns like Stafford the Hartford Times has selected this town as good field for experiment. Undoubtedly the trial of this experiment here might be benefit to the world at large, whether or no it would be to this community. Shall we make Stafford into an experiment station?
 'It will probably be a novel idea to most of our readers that it is quite possi- ble to have fair trial of the Gothenburg plan of managing the liquor traffic with out having recourse to the legislature for any special authority. The Gothenburg plan, as many know, involves the forma- tion of a local company in the place where it is to be introduced, to which shall be drinks for stated period. The company is allowed fair profit on the money which it invests in the undertaking, and what ever sum remains, after this dividend to the company, is applied to some public object.
 We can see no reason why any Connec- ticut town which votes in favor of license may not try this plan, which is so highly commended by those who have studied it's operation in Norway. There are many towns which vote one year for license and the next year for no license, the results of one years experience being invariably such as to bring about a change at the en- suing election. If the town votes no license there follows a surl eptitious sale of intoXicants which leads to demoraliza- tion and feeling in the minds of a ma- jority that it would be better to allow the sale of liquor under the usual legal re- strictions. Then comes year of license. Licenses are obtained by dealers who sell bad liquor and encourage drunkenness among their patrons. Some who desire to obtain licenses are unable to do so, and at the next election these men make common cause with those who prefer the prohibition of the liquor traffic, with the result that at the ensuing election the majority again votes no license. Thus there is no established system, and fresh abuses are always creeping in.
 Let us take, for instance, a single con- munity, and we will select the village of Stafford Springs, manufacturing com munity. afford voted in favor of license in 1893, 353 to 344, and against license this year, 383 to 342. We will assume that the management of the liquor traffic there is substantially as we have outlined it above. Very likely the vote at the next election will be in favor of license. The liquor business is recognized as serious business there, and yet it is practically impossible wholly to suppress it. Those who desire intoxicating liquors will not cease to obtain them because the town by a comparatively small majority has voted not to legalize the sale during the coming year. But the sum which was received for licenses last year will be lost during the coming year, and the habits of the peo- pie will not be improved. Why should not the business men of Stafford Springs get together and agree to put the Goth enburg plan into operation after the next election? It will be entirely legal and proper for them to enter into an under standing with the licensing authorities that if the town votes for license the con- missioners will grant only one license, which shall go to the business mems or ganization. Then let the business men take charge of the matter, provide a de- cent place for the sale of liquor, see that only pure liquor is sold, and that good order is maintained at all times. The business will surely yield more than six per cent. revenue on the amount of money invested in it, and, after paying the li- cense, let the surplus go into the treasury of the town.
 We make this suggestion for what it is worth. It is in line with the ideas which are beginning to prevail in our municipal governments. The way to have the busi- ness of city or town well conducted is for the reputable citizens to take hold of it and see that it is well conducted. The Gothenburg plan for controlling the liq- uor traffic ought to be tried and this is the way to try it."