Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1898-11-07

made was that suburban towns are as much
| interested in prohibition as larger towns
| and cities themselves because the sale OF
| liquor in large centers affects and con-
teammates them. The only way to prevent
| this is by a uniform law throughout the
| commonwealth. p. G. Dodge of Burling-
| ton who followed made an alleged expo
sure Of the liquor business in Burlington,
claiming that more saloons exist per capita
than in greater New York.
Bank Examiner W. A. Lord of Montpel-
ier was the next speaker. His idea of the
McGeary bill was that it was based on a
wrong which must be controlled by police
force. He also cited the city Of Woburn,
| Massachusetts, a license town where he
knew there were more unlicensed saloons
than licensed places and then showing the
changes which had been brought about in
Montpelier.
Emory S. Harris of Bennington was the
next champion Of high license and claimed
that a Judge of the supreme court and
legal talent were here to advocate prohib-
itory law because they are supported by
it. By this time McGeary had additional
facts which he presented.
Rev. DR.. Hawes Of Burlington was then
called for and said he wished Burlington
could be ftly represented here and b
felt that he represented the large majority
of conscientious people of Burlington who
did not want the open saloon in that
place. The meeting was closed with one
of the most disgraceful scenes ever witness
ed at 2 legislative session, and by which
Burlington has received a stain which can
not easily be erased from that city's fair
name.
John w. McGeary, father of the bill,
and Burlington's representative, is the
man who brought this about. After Mr..
Lords eloquent appeal in behalf of tenn
perance, Mr.. McGeary flung at him the
taunt that ''No man knew more about
liquor than w. A. Lord.' Mr.. Lord
made reply: 81 am sorry to be obig-
ed to acknowledge that is so. No more
was said until suggestion of adjourn
ment was made, when Hon. Frank Plum
lev rose and said: g cannot let this meet
ing close without expressing my abhOr-
renee of the dammable spirit which could
prompt the utterance that has been made
here tonight about man like W. A. Lord
Before he was done speaking, Mr.. McGeary
walked up to Mr.. PIumley's face and ut
tering something which could not be nm
derstood in the uproar which his actions
caused. Mr.. PIumIey brushed away Mr.
McGeary's fist, telling him to keep away
from his face. This only added to Nc
Geary's fury and following Mr.. Plumley
as he backed away, seemed about to strike
him, when he was seized by men and the
cry of ''Put him Out'' was raised. For
minute it seemed as though this would be
done, but better sense prevailed and order
was restored.
This calls for another explanation of the
events of the evening. P. c. Dodge, while
on his feet, began finging personal taunts
at Rev. DIR. Hawes, who sat in front of him.
So fragrant did his remarks become that
Senator Smith arose and asked him If he
could name a man in Burlington who
would believe the statements he was max
ing. The confusion this remark caused
for Messrs Dodge and McGeary showed
plainly to the audience that Senator Smith
had accomplished his purpose in showing
them their remarks were not representing
Burlington sentiment. The sentiment is
freely expressed here tonight that Burling-
ton democrats could not do themselves,
their city or their state any higher honor
than to hold an indignation meeting and
request Mr.. McGeary's resignation unless
the good sense of that gentleman by his
act makes this unnecessary.
1t seemed at one time Wednesday after
noon as though the McGeary bill would be
disposed of but it's promoters finally Sc
cured the passage of motion making it
a special order for next Wednesday at
II 80 a. m. The man who asked this pro-
longation of life for the measure was Mr..
5wasey of Barre and he was supported by
Messrs. Harris of Bennington and Colby |
of Victory while the motion was opposed |
by Mr.. En- cry of Chelsea.