Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-03-11
OIJE LOCAL. OPTION As OTHERS
SEE II.

IT Is helpful at times to see our
selves as others see us. This applies
to communities as we'll as individuals
1t particularly applies to city like
Burlington in connection with the
exemplifcation Of the various posi-
bilitics of local option. Our neigh
bors Of New York are discussing the
question of applying to the larger
cities the provision for local option
now in force in the rural sections OF
the state and the New York Sun. ever
or the watch for live developments
concerning a live subject, discusses
local options operation in Burling
| ton and other towns in Vermont as
| follows
The liquor question in Vermont
never seems to be settled TO the sat
isfaction Of either the vets or drys.
one year Rutland votes for license.
and the next year It swings the other
way. Burlington also oscillates be-
tween the saloon and the water wagon
in the irrepressible conflict between
| fSlGihW, TPpubllCtu. anu
Burke. democrat, for mayor. which
ushers in the spring. Burke pulled
through by Is votes on Tuesday this
fifth battle with Bigelow and Bur-
llington declared for license.
! The solid vote OF s,omersets Ave
citizens for rum must nave sickenad
the soul of q prohbitlonist. but there
were tidlngs of great JOY in the re-
torns from Baltimore whose II citi-
aens voted no. We observe that the
mile square city of Ncrgennes went
wet this year. why not, when the
procession of the dubious to the To-
cal doctors for druggists prescrip-
lions is never ending under a dry ad-
ministration? In fact. all over Yer
mont where local option means no IL
cense bee line Of worn pavement or
pressed clay can BIO found between the
doctors door and the druggists shop
lThs IL the seamy side Of local option
and the subterfuge signifies adulter
ated whiskey that corrodes the human
stomach. For that matter. the drink
lawfully purveyed under see-saw
system of license and prohibition with
IT'S feeting profits Is none Of the beat
Vernon: is great field for the pure
food law if there Is an honest desire
to enforce it,
Coming nearer home we hnd th'
Rutland Herald commenting on thu
subject as follows:
1t is always interesting to get thu
opinions of outsiders on somethins
5 that an outsider can have no specia
knowledge OF. The Sun has CONF
nearer the truth in discussing Yer
mont than most papers do.
There is no special relation betwee!
Burke and booze. however. neithe
f does Bigelow mean. necessarily. hu
, me citation. Burlington was wet on
year under Bizelow and dry ono year
I'urkc's administrations has varie
t from dampness to dessication. Their
Is no relation between the mayoralt
contests in Burlington and the loca
Z option vote. Neither Is there any blu
e an occasional relation between tn
mayoralty contests Of any city in Yer
mont and the Yes" or NO" vote
What the Sun says about uncertaint
is true, The condition Is wholeson!
That locals option.
G The reference to pure liquors
:, especially pertinent. The quality
liquors sold in Vermont drug store
3 under mo license" or in second-clas
t licensed places IN small towns Is sim
, plv fearful. The trade supplies III
-. latter places with the most hagran
alcoholic compounds, diluted whiskle
l and chemically colored liquors. IN
= drug stores are but little better. Gel
tainly "A great deal could be done
purify the liquors purveyed IN thes
places even with tho continual ms
o tive for quick financial gain that
d an unavoidable factor In the local or
tion situation.
a As a matter OF fact dealers In II
+; toxicating liquo. In this city subm
=. samples to the State laboratory Tor
"a tcst In accordance with legal require
), ments. and II there is any ground
~ complaint OF the sale Of impure |
=. ouors in this city the remedy Is vel
J.. simple, When the people OF New Vol
y city reach point where they CT
:. have the benefit of similar protectio
= the luminous Sun will be in far be
ter position than at present to indu'l
a in unseemly levity regarding the ma
a. ner In which tho liquor question
>. handled In Vermont. II it must spe:
- OF the uncertainties OF local optic
it need not go outside OF Its Sta
~ Malone, which has Just had spirit
contest over different kinds of
), censes submitted to the vote OF
10 people. to say nothing OF host
-, other towns. would AFFORD the Sun
>, the material and data. both liquid a
>, solid. necessary to meet the reQuil
ments of its Righteousness.
rs
t., ENFORCE THE TAX LAW.
. The assessors elected in the diff