The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1897-04-14
Enforcing the Prohibitory Law.

The suit against John Mooney, the
proprietor of certain real estate in
Montpelier that has been long and per-
sistently used for the illegal sale of in
toxicating liquors, reported in the local
news columns on page two OF this issue
of the WAToHMAN, is the first of the
kind ever brought in the State under
the statute that has long existed relat-
ing to the renting of real estate for use
as saloons. 1t is note OF warning
that landlords throughout the State
must heed. The violators of the pro-
hibitory code are not all of those that sell
forbidden beverages. This action
touches class of violators that has
hitherto enjoyed immunity from prose-
cution.
In bringing this suit, as well as in his
general course since he entered upon
the performance of his duties as States
attorney, Mr.. Rowland has justified the
confidence reposed in his fidelity and
ability by those supporters of law and
order who favored his nomination to
the office he now holds. Judge and
jury have been faithful to the spirit as
we'll as the strict letter of the law and
their oaths of office, and the result in
the case in question, and in others also,
has been gratifying to the true friends
of law, good order and temperance in
this county. The course pursued by
the States attorney will be applauded
by the great majority of the people of
this community. A decided step for
ward has been taken here in Washing
ton county; no step backward will be
countenanced.
In the same line of encouragement is
the action in the counties of Rutland
and Franklin against the prosecuting
officers for neglect of duty, or what is
practically malfeasance in office. The
scandals that have disgraced the ad-
ministration of law and encouraged
law-breakers, in those and other Sec
tons of the State, are receiving judicial
notice. Guilty or derelict officers will
be punished as the law prescribes, if
the Judges do their duty. There is
evidence that they intend to do their
full duty, and all the people who have
looked with loathing and disgust on the
scandalous mal.administration of the
law in some parts of the State will say
amen.
There is no middle course in this
business of enforcing the prohibitory
law; anything short of full, complete
and impartial execution of the law, and
visitation of its penalties upon offend
ers of whatever rank or class or social
condition, layman or official, is both
failure of the purpose of the law and a
culpable disregard of sworn public duty
by every official concerned, from the
judge on the bench downward. A firm,
dignifed, resolute, consistent and per-
sistent course of official action, in every
part of the State, in respect of the en-
forcement of the prohibitory law, is
demanded by every consideration Of
public policy and public morals, by
every good and law.abiding citizen,
whatever his individual opinions as to
the wisdom or expediency of the ex-
listing law. 1t is the law Of the State,
and until it is repealed or modified it
should be faithfully enforced; and if it
is really a bad law, and there is any
force in the common saying respecting
such laws, the way to secure it's repeal
or modification is faithfully to enforce
it in it's letter and spirit.