Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1903-01-16
THE LOCALIZED SALOON.
There is Without Doubt the Strongest
Kind Of Prejudice Against it in This
State,


Opposition to the measure is not by
any means confined to the out-and-out
prohibtionists, who believe that all
liquor selling is a 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 here
tofore. Disguised with certain phases
of prohibition, they inclined toward local
option. under the impression that it was
the only alternative. Now that 1t is
presented in cold type and they them
selves are forced to choose between the
act framed or the continuance of the
present system for a time we find 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 1t their
votes, when the actual reason. though
they may not wish to own 1t, is that
they cannot bring themselves to the ac-
tive support of law which means the
open. egalized saloon wherever cities or
towns may so vote IT Is a phase of
the same feeling as that which causes
drinking men to object, in license towns,
to the location of "a saloon near their
own homes. There is without doubt the
strongest kind of 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 lightly.
but quite often there Is grain of sim
cerlty about It. 1t is a recognition OF
the fact that the moral effect of the
saloon is such that even men whose
tastes would draw them to It, recoil
from inviting 1t 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
I improved in some direction. but along eX-
listing lines rather than in so radical
/ departure as the adoption of the license
/ theory. They will be found voting solid
ly against the act, stil hoping for ma
terial 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 for regulating the
traffic. Forced to choose between two
alternatives, neither of which represents
their views, they will support that which
promises the better results to the state,
as well 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 II that. to
| their minds, make ii very Objectionable.
/ Some of these complain that the act is
/ too drastic, even more SO than prohibit
ton Others find in it opportunities for
evasion that would allow freer selling
/ than they care to see inaugurated. Both
/ criticisms may have some basis in
! truth. and all serve to weaken support
| OF the measure.
In fact, il meets hot shot from every
/ quarter, as any constructive legislation
must This is right and proper. II 1t
/ 10 better than prohibition. We want It;
! If 1t is not we don't. And We have to
| guide us In our conclusions the text of
! the act itself well as the experience
| of this and other states