Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1898-06-03
FURTHER CONCERNING TEMPERANCE
LEGISLATION,

We notice already considerable re-
spouse from different papers in the state
to the REGISTER editorials on our tenn
perance laws. And we are strongly in
hopes that the discussion will become
general, and lead ultimately to such ac-
ton as will best conduce to the interests
of temperance, morality and good gov
eminent. The practical working of our
present law is far from satisfactory,
largely, perhaps, because of its lax en-
forcement. But whatever the cause, no
remedy seems to be forthcoming, so that
the question has become a serious one
whether it may not be best to adopt
new system. In this connection the
Editor of the REGISTER, having had an
opportunity to observe the admirable
working of the South Carolina dispen-
sary law, which is modelled after the
Gothenburg system in vogue in Sweden
and Norway, has felt disposed to sug-
gest some such system to the careful
consideration of our voters.
The Bellows Falls Times copies quite
at length from the REGISTER on this
subject, apparently more or less in SYM
pathy, though not committing itself.
The Brattleboro Reformer has this to say
The REGISTER doesn't want license and
believes the best thing within reach is the
Norwegian system, after which the South
Carolina state dispensary law is modelled
scheme of state monopoly of the traffic that
goes beyond the town agency system in that
1t doesn't pretend to limit the traffic to
"medicinal, mechanical and chemical" pur-
poses. Whether this is the best method of
dealing with very difficult subject may be
n matter of extended argument. But the
REGISTER certainly takes a sensible view of
the facts when it says:
1t is beginning to he very evident to all
that the present prohibitory law has outlived
us usefulness. Its enforcement is spasmOdic, |
It's operation most unsatisfactory; so that as
soon as the voters feel sure that another law
can be secured, better adapted to the interest
OF temperance, they are we believe, without
question, or very serious division going
to try it.
The REGISTER has also received one or
more letters upon this subject, taking
the question into intelligent consid
GRAFTON, which it will publish next
week. la the meantime we hope the
other papers of the state will speak out
freely, so that, by all interests working
together, we shall be able to arrive at
some better condition as regards our
temperance legislation than now prevails. |
Some of the papers in the discussion
we notice mix up personal politics with
this question, because of our request to
Mr.. Smith of st. Adams, prominent as
candidate for governor, to let the public
know his opinions on this important sub
iect. This request arose from mistake
made by the Mirror & Farmer of New
Hampshire in publishing what purported
to be letter from Mr.. Smith on this
subject, but which was, in fact, written
by another Mr.. Smith of st. Adams,
which error the REGISTER copied. Mr..
Smiths name thus being introduced, we
followed up the matter to get at his real
opinions, hoping thus to advance dis
cussion and perhaps future action.
The REGISTER has from the start
rather sympathized with Mr.. Smiths |
candidacy; but at the same time it rec
ognizes that no man has any particular
claims upon the office of governor or
any other office, certainly not except as
he shall show himself fitted for it and in
sympathy with the wants Of the people.
Still less does the REGISTER sympa-
thize with any attempt to dictate to the
voters of Vermont who shall be their
candidates, or to pre-empt any office.
Vermont is willing enough to elect any
worthy son governor, but she takes no
stock in the idea that there is only one
worthy, nor in the other idea that men
are to select themselves for the different
offices. The Republican convention
is called to give the Republican voters of
Vermont opportunity to select as candi-
dates for the different state offices those
whom they think best qualified to fill
them.