Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1910-03-03
WHAT OUR NEIGHBORS SAY
GRANGE WANTS A REFERENDUM
(From the Bellows Falls Tmes.)

OTrom the Bellows Falls Times)
The Vermont Grange at its last annual
gathering passed "A resolution favoring
anothet referendum OF the liquor ques-
ton. The presumption is that the Grange
would have the present local option law
and a State prohibtory measure yet to
drafted both submitted to n popular vote
and the voters OF the state given an OPP
portunity to express their preference.
This paper has said repeatedly that it
can see no objection to referendum of
this nature. If there Is n real demand for
1t. and the action of the Grange, the
Anti-Saloon League and most OF the State
church conventions indicates that there
Is such a demand. This paper, however
is still Of the opinion that tho present
law Is better temperance measure for
Vermont than any State prohlbitory law
mat Is likely to be framed. 1t Is certain
~ great improvement over the prohibl-
tory law which it supplanted.
AT the State convention G. +. Smith OF
Morrisvllle. master of the State Grange.
made plea in favor OF a referendum.
hmong other things he is reported 10
have said:
Thai the Grange stands for temper
ance is well known. All through our
work temperance is taught. As our or
der stands for developing a higher and a
better manhood. and womanhood. and
for the elevation of the American farm
err we cannot tolerate the saloon In our
midst Tho saloon In. always and every
where proved Itself a corrupting Unfit
ence to public affairs. 1t is not a manly
act to compromise with an evil. Prohibi-
tion VIII prohibit when backed By public
sentiment Proof OF this can be had by
visiting Kansas. Wines and liquors can
not he bought In the dining car while tho
train Is passing through the state Tenn
perance sentiment is growing rapidly IN
our country, and 1t is only a matter "
time when the liquor business must go.
Is Vermont to hasten or retard that day?
believe the time has come when our or
der should come out squarely ior another
referendum.
We think a large jorty Of our pco-
pie believe in temperance AMI do not
want the saloon. with its increase Of
drunkenness. crime poverty and dea:h
We think one OF the mistakes of oCr
last Legislature was in failing to pass
the bill requiring scientific temperance
instruction in our public schools. Ma
tional and State conventions have been
called to consider the conservation Of
our national resources
President Roosevelt once said: Each
child represents a potential addition to
the productive capacity and enlightened
citizenship of the nation, or If allowed
, suffer. Il potential addition To the tie
structiNe forces OF the comnutI',;'.'
Statistics have proven that where the
harmful effects Of alcoholic and narcotic
stilnulants have beer taught in the pub
lie schools, larger percentage of tho
people are ahstaincls and add to tho
assets OF the State. We need 10 increase
our assets and not our liabilities by max
ing drunkards. paupers and CRIMINALS.
Shall we not see to 1t that me1 are
elected to our next Legislature who will
vote to have our children. in tho public
schools. taught the law of health, 'nriul-
ing those which relate to the use OF alco
hoc drinks and narcotics. If We save
the children to-day we shall have say ed
the nation Tomorrow.