Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1903-01-08

to govern the pT0pOseu sSsV01 =
strong enough to hold, but not e
chafe. 1t is the license law agalns
all shades of opposition. Any meas
ure would have to possess great inner
ent merit to realize a majority under
these conditions, and the present act
to Judge from all we can see and hear
does not fulfill the requirements, ac-
cording to the judgment of the great
mass of voters.
Opposition to the measure is not by
any means confined to the out-and-out
prohibitionists, who believe that ali
liquor selling is crime and all liquor
drinking a vice. Indeed, the great
bulk Of voting opposition comes from
men of less radical belief, many OF
whom have counted themselves for
license heretofore. Disguised with
certain phases OF prohibition, they
inclined toward local option, under the
impression that it was the only alter
native. Now that it is presented in
cold type and they themselves are
forced to choose between the act
framed or the continuance OF the pres
ent system for time we find a great
many of the license men shrinking
from the responsibility of adherence to
their theory. So they are scanning the
act with care TO discover, if possible,
some plausible grounds for refusing it
their votes, when the actual reason,
though they may not wish TO own it,
is that they cannot bring themselves
to the active support Of law which
means the open, legalized saloon
wherever cities or towns may so vote.
Itis a phase Of the same feeling as
that which causes drinking men to OBJ
iect, in license towns, 10 the location
of a saloon near their own homes.
There is without doubt the strongest
kind of a prejudice against the saloon
in this state. Moderate drinkers are
frequently heard to say, IL can get all
want now; | have no use for the
saloon Sometimes this is said light
ly, but quite often there is a grain OF
sincerity about it. 1t is recognition
of the fact that the moral effect OF the
saloon is such that even men whose
tastes would draw them to it, reeoil
from inviting it in.
Then there is a large class of voters
who are not entirely suited with
things as they are and who hope to see
them improved in some direction, but !
along existing lines rather than in so |
radical departure as the adoption Of
the license theory. They will be found |
voting solidly against the act, still |
hoping for material changes in the |
present law.
Opposed to the measure are also
most of the believers in the system of
state control, or of other means than
either prohibition or license Tor regu-
ating the traffic. Forced to choose be-
ween two alternatives. neither of
which represents their views, they will
support that which promises the better
results to the state, as well as the
adoption Of their own plan in future.
There are, doubtless, some men who
expected to vote for this act in the be-
ginning, but who will not do so on ac-
count of certain provisions In il that,
70 their minds, make it very objection
able. Some of these complain that
he act is too drastic. even more so
han prohibition. Others find in it OPP
portunities for evasion that would al 4
low freer selling than they care to see
Both criticisms may 4
have some basis in truth, and all serve
10 weaken support Of the measure.
In fact, it meets hot shot from every +
quarter, as any constructive legislation
must. This is right and proper. II it
is better than prohibition, we want 1t
If 1t is not, we don't. And we have to
guide us in our conclusions the text of
the act itself, as well as the experience
Of this and other states.