St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1903-03-11
Press Comment.

1here are, OF course, many tuIhso
which may happen in the fourteen or nj
teen months which lie between the pres
ent date and the next national conven'
ton. But we are inclined to think that
if Mr.. Roosevelt goes right on as at pres
ent, not bothering his head over dele
gates, little brusque sometimes, blum
dering sometimes, but singIe-mlndediy
and high mindedly doing his duty as he
sees it, without fear or favor, he Will be
an extremely difficult man to dislodge in
the presidential running. In short, as
the thing looks now, the only man who
can defeat Mr.. Roosevelt's denomination
is Mr.. Roosevelt, and he is not dong
much in that direction - Boston our
nal.
The coal strike has been a good thing
Tor Vermont in more ways than one.
The peop'e were obliged to burn WOOD,
and thus large sum of money has been
put in circulation here instead OF gong
out OF the state. More than this, many
people have purchased improved wood
stoves and have found that wood is
cheaper to burn than coal even at old
prices. 1t is safe to say there will be less
coal and more wood burned in the future
in Vermont and the state will be bene'
fitted thereby MiddIebury Register
We have got to have general rural free
delivery, and we have got to pay for it.
By and by the increased revenue Will
catch up with the expenditure, and the
thing will pay Tor ITSELF but in the mean
time the cost must be betrayed out OF he
national treasury. We are committed to
the policy OF irrigating the arid and semi
arid lands, and we cannot carry it out
without moneC. BY and by we shall
reap an advantage many fold what the
work costs, but the cost must be met in
the meantime. We have got to have ad-
equate coast defences and men to man
them. We have got to have frst-class
navy, and officers to command it, and
men to stand behind the guns. So all
along the line, new responsibilities bring
new OUTLAWS. \ frst.class power cannot
be maintained by picayune and cheese
pairing methods. Experience should have
taught the democratic spelbinders some
thing on this point, but probably it has
not. They are not addicted to learning
from experience - Boston Journal.
The Phoenix has TO disposition to
sqrirm or to jump on the passing band
wagon. 1t believes that license will in
crease the consumption liquors and will
work to the detriment of individuals, Of
families, of communities and of the state.
But prohibition has be- n kno cked out not
in the whole state, but in the particular
towns where it is not wanted. The stu
alton is not hopeless even from the stand
point of the most strenuous defenders Of
temperance. The towns which have
voted no will get prohibition of the gen.
uine brand. With one per cent beer de-
clared an Intoxicating liquor and con-
viction for violation of the law sure to
bring $500 fine and probably impris.
onment, the liquor traffic will he pretty
etftctually stamped out in nearly two
thirds OF the towns of the state In other
towns liquor will be sold under sanction
OF the law, but there are provisions for
strict control. The whole question of
dealing with the sale of intoxicants is
great and serious problem. In Vermont
there has been clamor Tor change and
many people were ready to fly from pres
ent evils to those they know not of. The
saloon is monster of vice which fastens
is entacles upon all victims it can reach.
But we are drifting away from the
t achings of some of the great leaders,
Abrah Lincoln among them, if we are
of so little faith as to believe that the
people cannot take care of themselves.
Prohibition has had its trial and has
been rejected. License is now on trial.
1t must prove ITSELF or answer to the
people. There is danger in the new law,
but the law must be supported and given
affair trial. Whatever ones belief it is not
time to lie pronely and to indulge in
pessmistic forebodings. We must face
the situation high of heart and resolute
of faith" and must be ready to strike
blow if the need appears.- Brattleboro
Phoenix.