Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1902-10-23

! license-local option. These differ con
/ siderably in detail, but their general
plan is alike-the selling, for specified
sums, by the state, county or town, Of
the right to dispense liquors, as medi-
cine or as a beverage, in cities OF
towns so voting, with prohibition for
municipalities that do not so vote.
The yender is bound by close restric-
lions as to when and to whom he shall
sell, and some of the bills require him
to furnish bond, which is actionable
against in case he infringes the regula-
tions-and is caught at it.
The sixth measure embodies Joseph
Battell's plan for handling the traffic,
and is founded on the South Carolina
dispensary idea, with many changes to
make it conform to the needs of Yer
mont, as Mr.. Battell and his advisers
c ontemplate them. 1t provides for di-
rect state control ofthe liquor business,
through salaried officers and servants,
and that, under certain conditions,
liquor may be sold for other than ne
eessary purposes.
It is generally agreed that, in per-
Torrance of the convention pledges,
the assembly will pass a local option
act for submission to the voters. But
this is not their whole duty, as many
members see it. They are anxious
also to so change the existing system
as to make it less probable that the
voters will accept the plan which
means legalized saloons, run for pri-
vate gain. They believe that better
and more lasting solution of this vexed
problem than outright local option can
be devised, and they are bending their
thoughts and energies in the direction
of framing such a law as will be in the
nature of a compromise between the
two extremes, in the hope that a ma
iority large enough to insure its hearty
execution will register in its favor
OF the several plans thus tar pro-
posed, Mr.. Battell's most nearly meets
cur idea. We do not, however, favor
some Of his propositions, such as the
licensing of druggists and of hotels.
We believe that the state of Yer
mont can directly control the purchase
and sale of all the liquors used in the
state, at all places and for all pur-
poses. Not only do we believe it
possible, but in our opinion it can be
lone with far less danger and far
better results than to hand the traffic |
over to private parties.
We are opposed to the grog-shop
run for the personal profit OF the pro-
orietor, \ person who holds a license
or which he has paid several hundred
)r thousand dollars must first sell
enough liquor to pay for that license,
hen enough more to pay his running
expenses, then enough more to swell
his profits as much as possible. The
is great to dispense all the
liquor he can without regard to its
fleet on the community Though
pound to a degree by legal restrictions,
lie can often infringe them without
cal danger, and practice shows that
le does this in many instances. lie
AN afford to take risks anyway, when
t means dollars to him. Then the
icensee and his aids are not common
y men Of high sense of moral re-
such as really should
landle this dangerous traffic. The
licensed saloon is in practice public
,ttence by reason Of many things done
herein aside from the mere selling or
thinking of liquor. Il
On the other hand, we believe that
liquor can be dispensed in a proper
way by carefully selected men, who
erve on a salary only and are not
dependent on the amount of their sales
or a livelihood. st any rate, we
would like to see the plan outlined
,elow tried, before the state adopts
he private saloon scheme.
Let the governor appoint a commits
ion of enc. three or five members,
who shall have entire charge Of the
liquor system Of the state, make pur-
.hases, test liquors, dispense them to
he agencies. keep careful records and
accounts, and report to the state
auditor and state treasurer. Members
If this commission should furnish
heavy bonds for the faithful discharge
u their duties, which should be for
cited in case they are found guilty off
accepting a bride or side eonsidera-
ion from any liquor concern tor show
no it favor. These men should re-
'cive good salary.
Let the dispensing of liquor be d.