The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1895-11-20

license such an evil. The sale of liquor
must, therefore, be placed under rigid
control and it's use restricted to certain
concededly legitimate purposes. This
is the grouhd the prohlbitionist takes.
This is the doctrine of the Vermont
law; but the law, even in theory, is not
absolutely prohibitve. The state
recognizes the dangerous character OF
intoxicating drink as an article of
merchandise. 1t makes, on this ground,
radical distinction between the prod
uct of the distillery and the product of
the grist-mill 1t takes the traffic in
liquor into its own hands; it leaves the
traffic in bread to the free and unre-
stricted control of the citizen, stipulat.
ing only that he shall make and sell
honest bread. For furnishing liquors to
the people, it provides for commits
sioner in each county, and, through this
officer, for liquor agencies in the towns.
For the sale of liquor for every rational
use, ample provision is made. The
law is good in theory aud sound in NOR
ais. 1t is also efficient in practice,
when it is as faithfully enforced as
other laws are. In this respect it pre-
sents no exception to other laws. 1t
has no power to enforce itself.
This subject is not new, but it is
wholesome now and then to get back to
first principles. These matters are of
large present interest, because of the
clamor in certain quarters against the
states liquor code, because of certain
recent prosecutions under the law, and
because, further, of the open, notori-
GUS and fragrant disregard of the law
in some parts of the state. In respect
of the law itself, it is worth noting
here that all attempts at repeal or re
Taxation of its commandments have not
only signally failed, but year by year,
for generation past, the ingenuity
of lawmakers has been taxed to
strengthen its provisions and make
them more effective. In 1888, a meas
ure providing for high license, with
local option, was before the Legislature.
The then almost universal laxity in the
enforcement of the prohibitory law was
urged in justification of this move
ment. The proposed law was exceed
ingly rigorous in all its provisions. 1t
was designed, in good faith and with
honest purpose, to place the liquor traf-
fic under the most rigid control and
surveillance. The WATCHMAN sup
ported that measure. Its purpose was
accomplished. The agitation of that
year was the beginning of new era, in
this part of the state, in the enforce
ment of the liquor laws. The impulse,
beginning with the citizens, extended
to the prosecuting attorney, the jury
box and the bench itself. Here in CEN
trail Vermont, and in town which for
half century had borne the unenviable
distinction of being "the worst rum
hole in the state" it was shown that
the law could be enforced.
1t was made very clear by the result of
the agitation in 1888 that the existing
law embodies the settled and matured
policy OF the state in the matter of the
traffic in intoxicating liquors within its
borders. The determination to-day,
Notwithstanding the hullabaloo in GER
tain quarters, to stand by the law, is
firmer than ever before. We believe
this determination will be very visibly
made manifest. 1t will appear in the
demand that the officers of the law,
from the chief executive downward,
shall regard their oaths and enforce
this law in every part of the state, and
make an end of the disgraceful spec
tacle of wanton and defiant violation of
a statute 80 frequently and imperatively
reaffirmed.
That 80 open and fragrant nullifica-
ton OF law, and defiance of the power
and authority of the state, amounting
practically to rebellion, as exists in some
localities, not only goes unpublished,
but without an honest effort at punish
ment, ought to be cause for impeach-
ing every official having responsibility
in the matter. The bad example is
contagious. The contagion spreads,
and the disease involves the disregard
and violation of other laws-of all
laws. The law-abiding people of Yer
mont demand that the laws be en-
forced, impartially, efficiently, with
out fear or favor, against offenders
of every rank and quality, in every
part of the state; and we believe
they will find ways to impress this
demand upon the attention of off,
cials whose lack of courage, or sense
OF duty, or criminal unfaithfulness have
become scandal and a reproach to the
state.