Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1903-07-24
FRIDAY, JULY 81, 1908.
Both Sides Satisfied.

aggregation of wisdom IN this state
otherwise known as the editorial staff,
has devoted its supreme energy TO pro
and con discussions of the new liquor
law. Other subjects of much or little
consequence have claimed occasional
attention, but every daily, and most OF
the weeklies have, so to speak, been
editorially wide awake to the extent OF
unusual enthusiasm over the failure or
success of this new law, judged from ac-
complishments up to the present time.
And both sides seem satisfied over the
results. No one can with any degree OF
accuracy state the extent to which this
editorial voice expresses the sense and
judgment of the people, for it is solely
newspaper debate thus far, and must
so continue, with some platform oratory,
until the next election. Probably some
of the people, possibly very many of
them-we hope all of them-are read
ing the papers, thus becoming thorough
ly conversant with all the arguments ad-
vanced to show the reasonableness of
the pro or con conclusions arrived at by
our numerous brothers of the newspaper
fraternity. The discussion is certainly
entertaining and instructive, as it at
times rises to the level of the sublime,
and possibly is no less entertaining when
it occasionally drops to the level of the
ridiculous. All the vast territory be-
tween these extremes is being occupied
by temporary if not permanent settlers
Assuredly we may well rejoice that this
word contention is fair and courteous,
and we trust in all instances sincere, and
more blessed yet, the field is large one !;
it is an open race, with no entrance fee
required, and no promise of munifcent
emolument to the winner. Great free
dom of expression may be INDUCED in,
for the occupants of the judges stand
the people-enjoy looking on, while
from them no effort is demanded. To
be sure, it is a great issue, for upon it
hinges possibly the good Or ill of the
state in all its moral and material in
terests, and yet for the present we may
rest content that the heat time of the
fray has not arrived. 1t is like the
practice play of the untried troops, or
the locating of a line of skirmishes, or
the heaters sent into the jungle to make
a noise. But it is to our mind one of
the greatest questions, more far reaching
in its possible relations of all that have
head-lined the columns of the press for
many years. Thus far we have looked
on and given but little sign of COM
mendation or dissent, and such position
we shall continue, for a time, to take.
Apparently both sides or parties are
satisfied with results. The advocates of
prohibition are constantly crying 81 told
you So" "just what we had a right to
expect" as the press reports of local do
ings, and criminal court records, tell of
the large increase of arrests for drunk
enness and disorderliness. "There is no
greater breach of the moral and civil
law now than formerly" comes the re-
tort from the advocate of local option
license. at is open now and gets prose-
cuted whereas before it was hidden and
shielded" at is more damnable now
than before, and because of its publicity
livelier debaucher of society,"" shouts
the prohibition pro, to be answered by
the license pro, who says, at is a new
thing, and many men are unduly infu-
enced by the freedom occasioned by the
change from secrecy to openness in a
little while proper levels will be reached
and then all will be WE'LL" The one
tries to show that the hundreds and
thousands of dimes which drop into the
tills OF the saloons represent so much
bread or clothing which the poor chill
dren want and need, but fail to get
that they represent the increasing credit
On the ledgers of merchants who trust
poor people for the necessaries of life
hat the interests of the church are be-
ng threatened; that the virtue and beau
y OF the home are being aimed at
hat the standard of society is being
owered. On the other hand it is claim
ID that general business is increased in
'olume; that this form of legal restraint
lpon a, by all conceded, evil, is less
in its multitude of effects
han the old method. And SO the argu-
aent proceeds, much brain energy, and
cad and ink are expended, and it is we'll.
let both sides maintain a position of
ontentedness with results, and struggle
n for victory in the final will of the
eople. The HERALD's position, unless
shall be hereafter forced from it bv
he attack of circumstances, is : Give
he new law fair test Majority rule
eclared it. All must accept it as the
Nv of the state. If it fails in what it ,
ccomplishes to meet the wishes of the
lajority, then it will in due time be {
'nnted as an experiment of the past /
IS enforcement lies principally in the I
anHe pf ito frianla Be- |