The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1908-06-08
FAvORS LOCAL OPTION
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ced as violating the local option prin.
ciple In No towns (4) Some of the
papers contain trenebant criticism of
the physicians who exhibit little NOR.
al stamina and less principle in the
Issuance OF prescriptions calling for
liquor. 1t Is affirmed that these pres
criptions in the number issued and In
the quantity of liquor called for, are
|criminally out of proportion to the
legitimate demands of medication. 1t
should be said to the credit of this
rightly honored profession that this
objection, while strongly urged in ev-
|ery reply in which it>appears, Is found
In comparatively few Of the papers re-
turned.
This committee does not under
stand that 1t is to make any personal
argument, either in favor of or against
the present law. We are to tabulate
and present the facts and figures whet-
her these facts and figures are or are
not. In accord with our personal views.
THE replies received would indicate
that the preponderance Of sentiment
among the manufacturers Of the state
| is In favor of the retention OF the pres
ent law. In some cases notifications
are suggested In minor particulars. or
the manufacturing class, among those
who would revert to a prohibitory law
Is manufacturer employing 1000 peo-
lple in city which has voted both
Yes and No under the present law.
He Is strongly Of the opinion that To-
cal option is detrimental to the best
interests of the state; that return to
a wise prohibitory enactment would be
beneficial. Other replies from manu-.
facturers In the same city are either
undecided ornot in favor of reversion
Among the larger employers In other
lparts of the state, one employing an
average of $50 and another employing
400. both in cities which have voted
both Yes and No. are In favor of re-
Itaining the present law. The replies
indicate that Al per cent Of the en-
lployers are In favor of prohibitory
law. The largest number of replies
received from any one class came from
the farmers. OF these 46 per cent
are in favor of a return to a prohibi
tory enactment; 81 per cent would re-
tain the present law; per cent are
undecided.
Eighteen per cent of the physicians
prefer prohibitory statute; SO pei
cent would make no radical change.
"Thirty-six per cent of the replies
from lawyers favor a prohibitory meas
ure; Ga per cent are opposed to sup
planting the present law.
"Fifty-seven Of the merchants would
revert; 40 per cent would not; pei
cent are undecided.
"Of the returns from the clergy, 4;
per cent are emphatic for prohibition
by statutory enactment; Is per cent
would favor such a return on certain
conditions; 36 per cent would not sub
vert the present local option law;
per cent were undecided
"Of the total replies received, 81
per cent are In favor of the enactment
Of state prohibitory law; IA per cen
are in favor of such an enactment OF
certain conditions SO per cent would
retain the present law and per cen
are undecided.
"A great variety of amendments are
suggested Those most frequentl,
urged are, In substance as follows
"a Make the county the voting uni
on this question; (2) establish tn,
business under state control; (3) pro
vide for the state analysis of the liz
uors sold; (4) make more stringen
the restrictions in regard to the issu
ance of physicians prescriptions; c.
abolish the second class license; C.
abolish the fifth class license.
More stress is laid on the last tw,
Recommendation than upon an.
others which appear In the replies.
Fl B, Kellogg,
Fl s. Pease."
The second part Of the report will
be printed In later issue.