Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1896-10-09

as it is, if they can be, or the law be modi-
fed, so il can be respected. Temperance
men must not bind themselves TO the fact
that something needs to be done. The en-
emies of temperance cannot contribute
anything toward the solution of the diff
culties. They simply propose high license,
which would mean open saloons made re-
spectacle by the sanction of law, which
would be worse than the imperfect enforce
n 1T Of the present law. In most of the
smaller towns no such condition exists as
is claimed to exist in larger towns.
"In considering the faults of the present
law it must be borne in mind that all
sumptuary laws are unsatisfactory. All
attempts TO control the sale Of spirituous
liquors have been attended with almost in
supersble difficulties IN states that have
the license system. These states have tried
one kind Of license system and then an
other in the vain endeavor to find one that
is perfect. There is no license system in
force in the United States that would,
think, be preferable to our present law.
am, therefore, in favor OF the present law
with such changes or notifications as time
and experience may prove necessary.
That the law has been of great value in
restricting the sale of liquors during the
reasonable person will deny. There should
be no hesitation in modifying the present
law if you believe ii will lessen the drink
ing of intoxicating liquor. The law given
Moses on Mount Sinai was modified when
the new dispensation came. Ii is pertinent
to inquire why the law is not better en-
forced. There are several reasons, among
which may be mentioned want Of interest
of the people, especially the business men.
in its enforcement. Not that they do not
want the law enforced and the liquor traffic
stopped, but they are busy with their own
affairs and think they have no duties in
connection with il. Although there are
many thoroughly competent and honest
sheriffs, states attorneys, grand jurors,
Judges and justices, it will be found, where
the law is tiagrantly violated, that those
officers are either timid, incompetent or
dishonest. No one has any power to sus-
pend or remove any of those officials.
at is claimed by some prosecuting Of
ficers, and there is some ground for the
claim, that they en- orce the law as rig
idly as public sentiment will sustain them.
| think, however, that in most cases they
mistake the real public sentiment, as do
not believe there is any community in Yer
mont in which an officer will not be sus-
tanned in enforcing the law impartially and
and with firmness and good judgment. No
community will sustain an officer who al
lows an open saloon on a main street to
run undisturbed and prosecutes some man
for furnishing his comrades liquor from his
bottle. Every officer whose duty it is to
enforce the law and sustain order knows
before he accepts the office the many dlsa-
greeable duties he will have to perform,
=, 70 he
sponsibility he has no right to accept the
office. Whatever may be the remedy for
the evils that exist it is not in my opinion
More law. We have law enough now.
Our statutes are fairly groaning with the
weight of it. Better one page of law that
is enforced than library full that is not
and cannot be.
az will make, however, a few suggestions
of changes, viz: That the judges of the
municipal courts be paid salaries instead OF
fees. This will be, in my opinion, of great
benefit in the enforcement of the law and
will cost the state less than under the pres
emit fee system. 1t will relieve the courts
from the accusation that they impose small
fines so that respondents will be frequent
contributors to their support. would
also suggest that the law be so changed as
to stop, If possible, the device frequently
resorted to by the saloon keepers of en-
ploying persons called 'fne-takers,' so
that only first offences will be found and
small fines imposed. l would change the
law so that persons convicted the first time
of selling would be punished the same as
for second offences, if there had been pre-
vious convictions of a person or persons
for violation of law in the same place.
The board of pharmacy should be author
lied and directed to annul the licenses of
druggists who are convicted of illegal sell
ing"
In conclusion the gratifying result of the
Vermont election is recognized, the state
meeting the demand of the hour by "send-
ing $4,000 of her patriotic sons to the
polls to cast their ballots for the cause of
good government and sound finance" An
incoming wave of prosperity is predicted
as the result of the November election.