Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1898-11-03
A DlSGRACEFUL SCENE.
MIR. .McGeary's Unique Method of Advocat-
ing High License-Shakcs His Fist
in Hon. Frank Piumlcy's Face.
(From Our Staff Correspondent)

CFgom Our Staff Correspondent)
Montpelier, VT, Nov. IA public hear
ing on the McGeary local option bill was
opened i'm the general committee room this
afternoon at I o'clock Mr.. McGcary, au-
thor of the bill, was the first speaker. lie
naturally supported the measure and in
short speech made the statement that his
main argument would be made upon the
floor of the House.
Judge l.. II. Thompson of the Supreme
Court was asked to state his views on the
ability of tho courts and officials In en-
forcing the prohibltory law. His effort
was pronounced by all present as tn"
ablcst defence of the rrohibitory law Civ
en- in mary II day. lie spoke in calm,
dignilcd but forcible manner which con-
vinCed his hearers that the law could bc
enforced. Without attempting in any
way to reproduce his words "A few points
made are given: He exploded completely
the claims that the piohihitory law made
sneaks II men by comparing violators Of
the prohibltury law with any other class
cf criminals the thief Is nothing but Il
sneak. man who sets nrc to your house
is not an upright man, but acts the part
of a coward. The Judge then reviewed the
work Of the courts. grand Jurors, petit
jurors and attorneys in various counties
whore his official duties had taken him
and gave facts and figures showing thar
in every county, i'm every case which had
como to his knowledge, there had been
convictions against violators of the pee
hibtory law.
At the end of this review no one pres
ent doubted the ability of the courts 20
secure convictions. He stated that as a
result of his experience he was convinced
that when compared with other criminal
laws the prohibitory law was we'll cutorc-
ed. flc also suggested that where there
was difficulty in enforcing the prohhito"y
law in "a commonwealth like Vermont ne
would recommend n change in men rather
/ than a change in the law. His citatioas
| of changes in counties during his ,Vbcr-
/ icnC" whore efforts to enforce the proh
bitory law had been made We're unqucs-
tionablc proof Of the statements he ina lc
and gave to the temperance cause
strength the most able theorist could
never bring II. At the close OF Judge
Thomps1n'S speech an adjournment was
taken until evening.
! Tho evening session was held in Repre-
sentatiNes hall Mr.. Swasey of Barre
made bitter attack on the present pro-
hib.tcry law. With the aid of Mr.. Me-
Gcary he exhibited 4 list of names Of "su-
Icon keepers in Vermont on piece OF
paper about three rods In length. Hon.
Frank Plumlcy of Northiield was the next
speaker who spoke in defence of the pres
ent law He claimed that if it was Il good
thing to close saloons on one day in the
week aS proposed in McGeary's Jaw it
was seven times as good law which kept
saloons closed seven days in the week.
Another point he made was that subur-
ban towns are as much Interested in pro-
hibition as larger towns and cities thcn:-
selves because the sale of liquor In lar
ger centcrS Affects and contaminltes
them. The only way to prevent this is by
a uniform law throughout the common
wealth. l., G. Dodge of Burlington VINO
followed made an alleged expose Of the
in nytn ola ipnita ass
that more saloons exist there per capita
than in Greater New York
! Bank Examiner w. \. Lord Of Nontpci-
Ter was the next speaker. His idea of the
McGcary bill was that II was based on "a
wrong which must he controlled 10y police
force. He also cited the city of Woburn.
Massachusetts, Il license town whore he
knew there were moro unlicensed sa-
Icons than licensed places and then show
ed the changes which had been brought
about in Montpelier
Emory 5. Harris Of Bennington was the
next champion of hish license and claimed
that a judge of the Supreme Court and
legal talent were here to advocate pro-
mhitory law because they are supported
by it. by this time Mr.. McGeary had ad-
ditional facts which he presented.
i,rN Dr. iiawes Of Burlington was then
called for ana said he wished burlington
could he ntly represented here and lac fclt
that lac represented tho large majority of
conscientious people of Burlington who
did not want the open saloon in that
place. The meeting was closed with ono
of the most dlSGraCcful scenes ever wit
messed at u legislative session and hy
wh,ch burlington has received a stain
IwhiCA cannot easily be erased from that
o!ty's fair name.
MGEARY'S FLING AT LORD.
John w. McGeary, father of the bill.
and Burington's representative, is tAa
man who has brought this about. After
Mr. Lords eloquent appeal in behalf oi
It importance, Mr.. MCGeary flung at him
the taunt that mo man knew moro about
liquor than W. a. Lord" Mr.. Lori made
reply; Il am sorry to he Obliged to ac-
knowledge that is So" No more was sad
until suggestion of adjournment was
made, when Hon. Frank Pumlcy rose and
said: Il cannot let this meeting close
without expressing my abhorrcnce of tho
ddmnablc spirit which could prompt the
night about man like w. A. LCrd." Be
tore he was done speaking, Mir, Mc6eary
walked up To Mr.. Plumcy and as soon
as he stopped, began shaking his fist in
Mr.. Plumley's face and utt,rng some
tEng which could not be undcrS ood In
the uproar which his actions caused. Mr
| lumley brushed away Mr.. MCicary'
fist, telling him to keep away from hi
face. This only added to McGcarys fury
and following Mr.. Plumlcy as he back ID
away, seemed about to strike him, whcr
he was seized by mon and the cry &c "Pu;
! him out" was raised. For minute II
seemed as though this would he done, hut
better sense prevailed and order was re