Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1895-12-20
VERMONT NEWS.
COMBINE AGAINST LAW.
A Bold Scheme Proposed to Ver-
mont Hotel Keepers.

UNOHI F1O(GI NSSpcTSs
The following is from the Saturdays
st. Albans Messenger:
The Messenger is able to present it's
readers tonight with the full details of
a proposed organization which, while it
has been threatened for some time, has
never before assumed the proportions it
now appears to have.
1t is nothing more nor less than an at
| tempt to combine great and moneyed
force against the prOhibitory law of Yer
mont and practically prevent its enforce
ment so far as hotels are concerned.
1t is proposed to organize the hotel
keepers of Vermont, to hold state con-
vention in Montpelier, and to draw up
plan whereby that organization should
resist the prosecution OF its members for
the sale of liquor ard stand by it's men,
bers in their fight against the courts.
The details of the plan are given in the
| following letter which is understood to
have been sent to every hotel keeper in
Vermont. This letter is now published
| for the first time, and the readers of the
Messenger may judge for themselves of
the boldness and possibilities of the
plan.
THE LETTER.
|
you this letter IN confidence, hoping
that you will give us your aid for mu-
tual protection and benefit. In later
days nearly all business and labor have
some organization for mutual protection
Hotel keepers have none, and therefore
are left as open prey for any and all
sharks.
" | have especial reference to the peo-
| pie who rob us through Vermont's pro-
hibition laws. My claim is that it is
necessary for hotel men to serve liquors
in moderate way to their guests. 1t is
demanded of them, and it is not possible
10 do a successful and satisfactory hotel
business without it.
. do not advocate that hotel keepers
shall turn thier houses into rum holes
or dives, but that they shall be allowed
to supply the wants of guests of their
| houses without a term in the work house
staring them in the face.
" In union there is strength. Then
let US organize and support each other.
Do not be faint-hearted; it can be done.
Let it be understood that if the law
strikes one it strikes all, and is liable to
end in the closing of every hotel in the
state. Then these fanatics will think
twice before they make move.
g If man is touched for selling, let
there be an investigating commtte of no.
tel men sent to look the case up. If it
is found he has only sold to guests of his
house in what we may term legitimate
way, then inform the authoritie sbring-
ing the suit that the organization will
stand Uy him.
If, however, it is found that he has
run business otherwise than as the or
ganization shall approve, then let him
take his own chances with the law.
This idea is, of course, only crude
and rudimentary, but, gentleman, it can
be worked out and made success.
Will you, then, help to bring it about?
LET us call convention of hotel keep
ers of Vermont say at Montpelier, at an
eally date, and there discuss this ques.
tion of mutual protection. 1t will give
to hotel keeping the strength and dig.
nifty that it does not possess to-day.
The expense will be but trihing, and
much good may come of it.
"Will you pledge yourself to attend
such meeting and give it your support?
An early answer will be pleasing.
There are 2l0 hotels in Vermont, rep
resenting over 81, 100000 capital.
III, l.. DOYLE AND 2l OTHERS.
address all letters to II. L. Doyle,
Propr. Avenue House, st. Johnsbury,
| VT -