Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1903-05-08
Middlebury, May 6, 1908.


Mr.. Editor:
Now that the open saloon has been
with us for several weeks, an opportun-
ity has been afforded to observe its work
ings 1t is not my intention to speak of
its operations comprehensively, but
merely to mention two features which
seem worth comment.
First, in regard to the anti-treatng
clause of the law. There is no doubt
that this strikes at great evil, and that
this American habit of buying for others,
as well as ourselves, at bars. is more con
ducive of drunkenness than any other
one thing. There is also no doubt that
moderate drinkers. those who are able
to pay for what they consume, and never
use liquor to eXcess-would welcome
such veto of misplaced hospitality if
the law could be rigidly enforced. But
it has already been manifested that it
cannot be. Its evasion is as easy as the
proverbial falling off log or as the boy
knew his father, and those who resort to
saloons have caught on seemingly
10y intuition The law is observed in its
letter, but smashed to bits as to its in
tent, and this is the simplest process of
infraction; the treater, if he has the
change in pocket, hands the required
amount to the treatee for his individual
drink, and they "join one another" in
fact, while each apparently pays for his
own. If the treater has not the change
he gets it from the bar tender, and says
to the one he has invited, ''here is that
dime Tor nickel | owe you" and thus
again the time dishonored American
custom triumphs over the law. In some
saloons checks are sold, redeemable in
cash or trade. A very short experience
has proved that this feature of the new
law must be imperative and should,
therefore, be removed from the statute.
Second, it was my intention chiefly in
writing to you to call attention to an
evil incident to the open saloon, perhaps
particularly so in d locality where these
institutions have been in desuetude,
whether innocuous or not, for half a
century; and that is the habit of remain
ing in a bar-room longer than is nee
essary to satisfy the demands of thirst
For bibulous purposes the frequently
useful military mandate, fire and fall
back should prevail, and it may be
that some agitation of this matter will
do good. If consumers, of whatever
standing in the community, realized
what a damage it was to their reputation,
not to mention any other consideration
to be noticed, as they inevitably will be,
remaining in bar-rOom for hours. per-
haps, when two minutes would suffice
to quench their thirst, they would all
Join the fire and fall back" brigade.
| This is in their own interest, indubta-
bly,; also in that of the bar-room itself
1t was to be expected that some from
out of town might spend more time than
was necessary, in the first blush of it.,
in the temples of high license, at
tracted by the new surroundings and
the novelty of the unacustomed free
dom; but it grieves me to say more or
! less residents of the village. some of
them of prominence and men who "have
| Travelled" -seem to be drifting into this
reprehensble habit. Every consideration
should influence them to avoid acquiring
the name of bar-room loafer; but it will
take very little indulgence in this class
of practice to give it to them. Fire
and fail back and you will be out of
danger.
COLCHESTER.