Washington sentinel., 1899-06-17
An ExperImentin in Prohibition.

An Experiment in Prohibition.
The liquor question, like the
poor, we have always with US; and
at present, as at almost any time
for many years past, the best
method Of dealing with it IS being
actively discussed in many parts
OF the country. Public opinion
seems to be split between rGpres-
sive and restrictive legislation;
and, in view Of this tact and the
efforts OF those who favor prohibit
tory system in Leesburg, Va, and
Rockville, Md, where other meth
DDS have hitherto prevailed, the
experience ot Vermont, which has
had a prohibitory liquor law for
more than thirty years, furnishes
an instructive lesson. The Yer
mont law was passed by the Leg
islature OF 1851. In the Legisla
ture, as among the people, there
was a close division Of sentiment,
the law finally passing by a vote Of
or to 90, and being ratified by the
people OF the State by vote Of
22,2I5 to aG,o44"-~a popular major
ity of only I,I7I for the law.
According to its terms, the law
went into effect in March, 1883,
and has ever since remained the
settled policy of the State. AS
originally enacted, it merely for
bade the selling, furnishing or Civ
ing away of Intoxicating liquors,
under moderate penalties, and
provided Tor the appointment Of an
agent in each town, who should
be authorized to sell liquor for
medicinal and mechanical pur-
poses, the profits OF the sale accru-
ing to the town. But, from the
moment OF its adoption to the pres
eat time, the advocates Of the law
have been continually engaged in
enlarging its scope and strength
ening its provisions. Each Legis-
lature since 1858 has modified and
amended the law IN the direction
of increased thOroughness, sever
ity and efficiency. It's supporters
have indeed taken Thorough"
for their motto. Everything they
have asked has been granted by
successive Legislatures, and all
possible measures have been taken
to reader the law perfect. AS it
now stands, it constitutes an entire
chapter in the revised statutes,
and embraces more than fourscore
sections.
A glance at its provisions will
show that it is stringent enough
to satisfy the most thorough going
believers in repTessive legislation
1t absolutely iorbids the manuiac-
ture, sale, furnishing or giving
away Of Intoxicating liquors,
among which malt liquors and
lager beer are specifically included.
Cider must not be sold at any
place OF pub ic resort, nor may a
man in his own house give his
children, il they should be under
age, any liquors, The penalties
in all these cases are a fine OF ten
dollars tor a first offence, twenty
dollars for the second and three
months in the house of correction
for the third. A common seller"
is to be fined one hundred dollars
for the first ohense, and two hun
dred dollars for the Sc :ond, and
for the third is to be committed to
the house OF correction for four
months. He may also be prose
cuted for maintaining a nuisance
and in case Of conviction he is tc
be fined from twenty to two hun
dred dollars. and imprisoned from
one to three months; and his place
OF business is to be summarily
closed, nor may he reopen it before
furnishing heavy bond to aban
don the liquor traffic A person
bringing, or assisting in bringing
liquor into the State, is to be fneC
twenty dollars for the first offensC
and fifty for the second, and tor the
third is to be imprisoned for three
months. A travelling Liquor
agent is to be fined one hundred
dollars for the first offense Of sell
ing and three hundred dollars 10
the second and for the third fy'
hundred dollars and Imprisonment
six months.
All liquors kept tor purpose