Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1903-01-29
License In the West.
Bethel. Vt


tAhls D i'sf Jan ~ AaN"r
MIR. EDITOR: Although so far from
the field OF conflict, yet as from week
TO week ! read the HERALD, notice the
comments OF the press, and realize the
almost superhuman efforts that are be-
ing put forth by the advocates OF high
license 10 overthrow the very found
alton OF honor and integrity of the old
Green Mountain state, my heart Is
stirred within me, for the old state,
with its thousands of pleasant reeollec-
tions, its matchless scenery, and its
hitherto unblemished name, is as dear
to its sons that are absent, as 10 those
that remain.
While IL Is not my purpose 10 write
temperance lecture, (and | could not
ii would) the wish that might take
few hundred of those Vermont voters
that are "halting between two opin-
ions, that are undecided whether TO
vote yes or no. with me in my
travels through this western country
and let their own eyes behold the re-
suit of high license and OF local option
if might do this, | would not be
afraid 10 take the responsibility OF the
result Of the vote on Feb. Sd.
In my travels through Minnesota,
North and South Dakota and Iowa
have seen something of the effects OF
high license and of local option, and
have made It somewhat of a study
And while | do not intend TO take
space for long letter. will note one
or two points that struck me most
forcibly.
Let me meet the young men, be-
tween the ages of sixteen and twenty
one years, of any town and | will tell
yon II that town has license or has
had within three years. IL is not be-
cause the young men cannot obtain
the ''fire-water" for, contrary. to the
high license doctrine, Vermont under
prohibition never saw the "blind pigs
and the "boot-leggingH that the I'M
licensed towns here experience under
local option.
The reason is this. When an evil is
legalized by law, the ban, the dis
honor, seems to be removed.
The idea that high license is neces-
sary 10 the business interests and
growth OF a town does not prove true
here. The thriving town of Wahpe-
ton, N. d., is just across the river
from Breckenridge, Mimi. town OF
Just about the same size, the same rail-
road facilities, and they both are in the
Red river valley, than which there is
no more fertile soil on earth. Wahpe-
ton Is an ideal town Of perhaps 1900
population, with clean streets, fine
residences and fine stores OF all kinds.
and everything about the town denot-
ing prosperity, and not a saloon In
town and there never mas been. Breck-
lnrldge has dirty. filthy streets, broken
sidewalks, residences poor and many
of them devoid OF paint, with some
very good business blocks occupied by
saloons. The better class Of its bust
ness men live in Wahpeton because
they feel safer ''o'nights Main street
Is at least one-half mile in length and
every other door a saloon or low dive
Breckinridge has as great natural adj
Eantages and receives thousands of
dollars annually for licenses that Wab-
peton does not, yet that class Of ejti-
zens that are benefit to any town do
not choose to live there.
Voters Of Vermont, which town
would you rather live in ? You saw this
Is an extreme case. Perhaps. but the
contrast holds true anywhere and
town becomes demoralized in the ratio
mat the saloon element gains control
Nhen You have permitted the camel
70 put his nose through Your door. Won
nave nav invited him to come in bodily and
live with you.
W. II. RICHARDSON.