Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1908-11-05
THE kIHsLEY sILL

We are Obliged TO the Rutland Herald
for calling our attention to ruisunder-
standing on our part OF the bill intro
duced by Mr.. Kinsley OF Rutland relating
to the establishment Of a STATE board OF
license commissioners. Instead Of pro-
viding that this board shall merely an
point the local boards OF license commis-
sioners in towns that vote yes, who shall
in turn name the licensees in their sever
al towns, the Kinsley bill contemplates
the direct naming Of licensees by such
state board, thus doing away altogether
with the parts taken in the process BY the
assistant judges and the local license
boards.
This is going step further than the
Republican state platform outlined, as
we recall it. which was that the power
to name license boards should be vested
in some authority other than that Of ju-
dietary officers. II is taking the matter
entirely out Of local contrcI.and giving
small state board, named By the govern
or, exclusive and final authority over
the liquor business Of the state.
We doubt il results would Justify such
q radical change in the law. The real
strength Of the present liquor law, and
what gives it favor among many who OBJ
iect to liquor selling, is its local option
feature. The question ID brought right
home every year to each locality and set
tied By each, for each, according to local
conditions. Through this comes a strong
and healthfuI home sentiment that stands
by the decision, be it yes or no, and sees
that 1t is carried out. The province of
the local boards of license commissioners
is not more in naming the licensees, after
full knowledge OF all that pertains.
gained by years OF residence and full ac-
guardianship, than in keeping close
watch and strong hand on the conduct
of the licensees throughout the period. In
receiving and Investigating and prosecute
ing complaints, and in acting as an ever
present brake on the unlawful traffic. II
requires that such a board should be
right on the spot all the time to do this.
No state board of three, whose wide
spread, duties would cover perhaps fifty
cities and towns, could possibly give this
matter due attention, and the slid would
be on to the sellers, in large measure.
Nor could such a board, coming as
strangers to city'or town, place the IL
censes as wisely and wen as a local
board, directly answerable TO home senti.
ment. A place on such state board-one
OF three to name all the licensees in Yer
mont-wouId be an opening for graf,
that would constantly invite suspicion
and sneers, even il there were not the
slightest occasion. OF all Offices filled by
governor, these would be the most i'm.
portant and Troublesome.
We quite agree with the Herald tina.
this step 'abolishes the principle Of local
option as far as regulation goes. . and that
is very important part Of the whole
scheme. A state board Of three, ap
pointive BY the governor, who should
name the local boards, Is is now dcne by
the assistant judges, was the kind Of an
act we were expecting to see introduced.
Such a board might properly and safely
grant licenses to wholesalers and drug.
gists, but should not extend its dutie,
further.