The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1902-10-29
THE BATTELL BILL.
Synopsis of Measure to Regulate
the Liquor Traffic in We no t.

OF the several bills before t,c Cen
eral Assembly regulating and restrict
ing the sale of intoxicating liquors,
none receives more favorable comment
than House bill No. 104, introduced
by Mr.. Battell, the member from
Middlebury.
Mr.. Battell's purpose has been to
eliminate from the law those features
which are considered objectionable
in the existing statutes, but not to
allow the unrestricted sale of liquor
for private gain. Every dollar of
profit accruing from liquor sales will
go to the towns and cities of the State,
each town or city making whatever
use of the funds received its voters
direct. All receipts will go to the
State treasurer and the profits will be
distributed by him to each city and
town on the basis of population.
The object of the bill is to provide
for the sale of liquors under the direc-
ton and control of the State, through
places designated as State stores.
Biennially towns and cities at their
March meeting shall choose liquor
elector and the electors in each
county shall elect board of three
county liquor commissioners who
shall receive 50 per day while en-
ployed, no member to receive over
thirty days compensation each year.
This board together with the board
of State commissioners which shall
be elected by the General Assembly,
as shall "A State Superintendent, who
is to have charge of the central store,
shall direct the sale of intoxicating
liquors and exercise a supervision
over the State store keepers. The
salaries of the State commissioners
shall not exceed 81, 600 per year on a
| $40 day basis; State superintendent
to receive 50, 600 per year. With the
exception of store keepers, who shall
be appointed annually, all liquor Off
GERS shall hold Office two years, unless
removed by death or violation of
| trust.
The measure embodies the local
| option idea, as it provides that each
Down shall annually at its March
meeting decide by vote if State store
shall be located therein, and allows
light wines and malt liquors to be
sold by the glass in such stores, if
the town so wishes. Druggists OBJ
tanning "A sufficient number of voters
signatures to petition may be per-
! 1ulUteu W stll lluuOIS III OIiSihdi pawn
ages for medicinal use upon the pay
ment of a $50 for license, all liquor
| to be bought at State store at ten
per cent profit to the State.
Every person having charge of the
sale and distribution of liquor under
this act must furnish a heavy bond,
the same to be forfeited if violations
occur or damage results from sales
made in violation of law.
Hotel keepers may furnish their
guests, at meals, with wines and malt
liquors, under restrictions similar to
those imposed upon druggists; that
is, they are to secure the signatures
of one-fourth of the voters of their
town or city to their application for
license before such license shall be
issued. All liquors are to be pur-
chased at State store, the price to be
fixed by the State commissioners.
No State store can be established,
hotel or druggists license issued, in
towns voting against the establish
ment of State store. This act pro-
vides that all perons may procure
liquor tor use as beverage, except
they be minors or drunkards. 1t is not
the intention of the Trainer of the bill
to deny or abridge any persons liberty
regarding the use of intoXlcants, but
seeks to furnish pure liquors at a fair
price, the same to be determined by
the State commissioners, and to have
the sale of the same conducted upon
lines that shall tend to lessen intoxica-
ton and to turn whatever revenue
accrues from the traffic ito the
treasures of the towns and cities OF
the State.
1,A n-fn lAl IGI nI
for every 5000 population, and one
store may be established in towns OF
less population, if the towns so vote.
The compensation of store keepers
shall be decided by the county liquor
commissioners. Provisions are made
relative to the location of stores as re-
CARDS their distance from churches and
schoolhouses.