St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1904-07-06

year Oh license.
House of Correction, Rutland.
May 1901, Al rn 1902. 42s.
1908. 1904, Qicense) $50
Burlington Courts.
Convictions, IntOxica ton Gases.
May 1901, April oO2, 129
1902, - 1908, 1911.
1908. " 1904, Qicense) 343.
st. Adams Courts.
Convictions, Intoxications and Breaches of
Peace.
May 1901, April 1902, 26o.
1908, :" 1904, Qicense) sos.
The aggregate above for the year pre-
ceding license is 713 while the aggre gate
for the year of license is 1347, an increase
of 80 per cent. Supt. Morgan, in his
annual report for commitments to the
House of Correction, attributes the in
crease almost wholly to the licensed sa-
loon.
In Mr.. Davenport financial argument
for the license law he places to the credit
of the towns at large $37, 579.25 net rev.
enue, but though including court fees.
sheriff and witness fees, ETC., he lodges
completely the added expense in police
departments, one of the greatest expenses
OF the, luxury of license every where. A
few illustrations will show this conclu-
sively. Fair Haven paid 5000, for extra
police protection, Middlebury, $72S,
Ludlow, $728. Here is police outgo of
more than $4,000, out of the $37 900 in
these three towns. Other towns of the
state paid for police protection in proper
ton and the cities much more. The
Board Of Commissioners cost the towns
an average OF $50, each and here is
$40 900 more to come out of the ST.
900. These and Others, (care for poor,
etc. extra expenditures incident to the
existence of the licensed sale OF intoxicat-
ing liquors will completely wipe out this
seeming met revenue" credited to the
towns. to say nothing of the moral loss
and loss OF time and money resulting
from the increased drunkenness.
Prima facie the states profit or net
revenue is given at $37 600, but the
House OF Correction at Rutland has been
over crowded throughout the year and
will have to be enlarged if license con-
| tinues, and this $37. 900 would cover
only small part OF this expense of the
enlargement of our state institutions.
Mr.. Davenport says F. D. Hale, state
/ auditor, reckoned up in 1896 eleven years
average net profit to state resulting from
fines and forieitures under the prohibitory
| law $13 900 annually (this should have
been S23, oOo), and then proceeds TO off
set this amount by items that should be
| "legitlmately charged to the LIQUOR traf
| hc." This argues just as strongly against
his statement OF $37, 900 net revenue
| under license.
| Mr.. Davenport refers to the Towr
| Agency system as the Community cor
rupting and soul otting farce, intimat
| ing that the saloon system has changed
the character OF men, but what would b.
his defense OF FIVE saloon men and thfe.
] policemen, including the chief, who re
Gently IN a trial on complaint of violation
| OF the liquor law. perjured themselve.
over and over again in defense OF the sa
| loon k eper.
Ii is untrue that perjury has been re
duced. 1t is untrue that license has pro
NOTED sobriety, good order and clear
government. 1t is untrue that illicit sci
ling has been stopped. 1t is untrue tina
hce nse In Vermont protects the boy.
from drink. 1t is uutru ne that eyery drur,l
IS ARRESTED on sight," Il is untrue thai
license gives any assurance of net reve
nue. to town or state. On the other hanc
drunkenness and crime have increasef
many told; many licenses have been re
vosed and MANY illicit sellers fined anf
| imprisoned; some seven suicides hay,
| been committed, tracea BILE directly to TIL
increased use of drink; thousands OF dol
lars have been drawn from our saving