Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1904-04-14
HOW THEY DIFFER.

Commenting on the announcement
of the Barre Telegram, a prohibition
list newspaper, that 1.-THE second-class
liquor license must 60" the esteemed
St. Adams Messenger. always alert to
make use of point in favor of its po-
sition, says
The contemporaries comment is
significant also OF the probability that
no Battell dispensary bill will receive
the support OF the prohibitiOnists. In
the structures on the secOnd-class
license, The Telegram reflects the
views of many warm advocates OF
license. Experience has shown in
Vermont beyond all doubt that the
much-dreaded "open saloon" with a
first-class license is less Of an evil than
the liquor store with a second-class
license. In occupying this position,
the contemporary has moved up on
10 the ground where The Messenger
and other newspapers stood some
years ago in their fight against the
prOhibitOry law and its obnoxious
''agencyn rumhole. There is almost
precisely the same objection TO all
three of these institutions, the prohi-
bition agency the Battell state "dis-
pensary," and the local option second
class "storen-that a man who only
wants or should be allowed TO have
one drink is sold a whole drunk and
practically can get nothing short of it
even if he tries
The Messenger might have added
that this objection lies against any
method of selling liquor in quantities
sufficient to cause intoxication-it is
unsafe to put into the hands of men
that which may be used by them TO
their own great detriment. Certainly
it is grievously unwise to furnish by
the pint or quart hard liquors to those
who, there is good reason to believe,
will use it immoderately and perhaps
become drunk.
But we cannot agree with the Mes
senger if it means to imply that there
is really no difference in degree of
danger to be apprehended from sec
ond-class licensed saloon, town
agency under the old prohibitory law,
or a state store under a dispensary
system. In our opinion, there is a
wide difference between them, due to
the basic principles on which they are
conducted.
1t is contrary to human nature that
ones desire to enrich himself should
not incline him to give his pocket the
benefit of every doubt when the ques-
ton arises, Is it safe to sell to this
man? On the other hand, when the /
sellers situation depends on the pau
city of DRINKS that can be traced to /
him, it is not difficult to see how
skilled in the matter of
he must be TO survive I
1t his post. Not but what there were
lnder prohibition malfeasances on the
part OF agents; not but what there
would be under a dispensary system
Tor humanity is tull OF faults and
prone to error; but the governing
motive is so widely different that there
could be but one result, were a change
made at some future time.
That this is not all fine theory, I'M
by experience, may be
when, mentally, one COM
,ares the amount of intoxication
to the old town agencies with
he amount now resulting from the
econd-class license. And because OF
letter supervision and improved reg
llations, we believe results under
ONE form of dispensary would be far
,etter than the old agency, even.
The secend-class license, or some
hing to take its place, cannot be done :
way with. Everybody who uses
liquor for any purpose cannot be COM !
,elled to step up to the bar and drink ,
t. The bulk of the trade in dollars at ,
,resent is conceded to be done at the
econd-class saloons, which indicates
he heavy demand for bottled goods.
'ome of this is misused-and probably
would be under any method OF human !,
ontrol. What all are seeking is the
minimum OF danger in the solution of
his great problem.
ORANGE COUNTY POLITICS. 1