The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1907-03-01
4 FAIR ouEsrIoN.
And an Attempt to Answer Fairly Yes
terday's Interrogation.
(eomnlnnieated.l ]

A correspondent in Thursdays Times
asks the no-lieense advocates what will
be the nature OF their attempt to enforce
the law, should no,license be voted again
by the city. 1t u d fair question and we
will try to answer it fairly and frankly.
But, first Of all we desire to enter
a mild protest to his statement that
the city was never 80 Hooded with rum
as during the present year Is this not
bit extravagant? II IL true no doubt
that deal Of liquor has been consumed
in Barre in recent months And we
know where much Of ii has come from.
The saloon in South Barre has had a
large trade from the city. Liquor has
been bought there and shipped to the
purchaser BY express. This IL one Of
the bad features. among many good
ones, Of local option, What should have
been the good effect Of no-lieense III
Barre City has been compromised by Ii
eense in Barre Town. The no-iicense
people worked hard TO prevent the grant
ing Of license for South Barre, and at
one time appeared to have succeeded.
But the fact proved otherwise.
We are quite certain, and we have
heard the opinion expressed by many
who had been skeptical with regard to
no license, that conditions were better
from the temperance standpoint in 1906
under no-lieense that they had been for
dozen years. The law was about as
well enforced as could reasonably be ex-
pected. We looked for the same III
1906. But we repeat our former state.
ment that the saloon at South Barre has
impaired the effect Of no-license the past
the city has not been so well suppressed,
It il a natural tendency TO relax in
vigilance and vigor as time goes on. And
this tendency has To Be counteracted.
The no-license people are realizing this
and feel that something must be done
To encourage q stricter enforcement To
put ii briefly. this attempt will be made
along the lines of moral influence. We
are apt 10 expect too much OF our Off
cials. We often deny them the encour-
agement and support to which they have
o right And the no.iicense sentiment
which is strong enough 10 secure a mo-
law, should be equally strong to promote
the enforcement OF that law Moreover
tNtlb II a StttktHtAAAA AhA INV tiAtbINCitNHAi
whatever the law, and irrespective Of the
stand on the license question which ex-
lists among loyal citizens and patriots
For it IS tremendously important that
law as such shall be treated with re.
spect, its dignity upheld Therefore, the
sentiment along these two lines should
be made plain To the officials And It
lis our purpose 10 have them to under
stand, eouTteously and considerateIy, vet
firmly, that the advocates Of no-license
and the advocates Of treating the law
with respect because II is the law, are
expecting faithful and vigorous en-.
forcement Nor do we lack the faith
that the officials thus encouraged and
supported win do their whole duty.
ii law that is thus upheld by public
sentiment cannot be enforced, then local
self government is a failure, and our Yer.
mont local option law Is no better thar
the statute ii snperceded To neither
Of these propositions ae we ready yet
to assent.