The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1911-01-05

ed good hearted women all over the
state to go to the polls and vote mo"
in some city naturally disposed tow
ard license. But the men OF that city
thus outvoted would know we'll
enough what the women never could
quite as thoroughly or directly appre-
ciate-that their vote no had only
substituted the shameless hypocricles
and corruptions of unenforced prohib-
tion for the decent regulation of the
present law. The liquor problem is
not one to be approached with mere
emotion and sentiment; II is too fear
fully practical.
But there is still another side to
the matter. OF course, being local
loption newspaper, some of our friends
will jump at once to the conclusion
that The Messenger will lose no OPP
portunity TO champion the liquor
interests" and charge again, for the
many hundredth time, that 1t does
not believe in Temperance" That is
to be expected and is already dis
counted But let us see If we can get
away from the pride of opinion or
the prejudice of earnest desire and
conviction in discussing this matter.
There are principles at stake far
more important than our petty dis
pute of opinion about liquor laws.
The fact remains that the Republican
party of Vermont is pledged to retain
the local option principle in the liquor
aw until that same form of referen-
dun to the people that once adopted
z 1t shall next time demand a change.
! Now, no amount OF sophistry and
spider-woyen reasoning can blind the
average man to the understanding
that the purpose Of giving women the
ballot under the local option law is,
In reality, to defeat its present intent
and substitute statewide prohibition
by indirection. The advocates of this
measure know that If the referendum
were made to the male voters today
the local option law would be con-
firmed by far greater vote than
adopted it in 1903. They hope, how
ever to nullify its plain intent and
purpose, by introducing into its opera
! ton the vote of a class of citizens
never contemplated in the franchise
when the law was framed and adopt
. ed
Let us bear in mind therefore, the
pledge of the Republican party to
keep good faith with the men OF Yer
mont about this liquor law and not to
repeal it except by the same process
Of referendum by which it was adopt
ed
Let US bear in mind that the "op-
ton contemplated by the law when
adopted, the option" that the Repub-
lican party is pledged so TO maintain
was the option of men and not OF men
{ and women.
, When the state OF Vermont gets
I ready TO admit women to equal fran
chise with men. the Messenger viii
accept the situation with the best
I philosophy and make the most OF II.
Z And If in those days the combined
/ vote OF the majority OF men and WON
! en- under local option law is oppos-
! ed to the licensed sale of liquor, It
win consider 1t TO be the duty Of good
citizens TO uphold and enforce the
I verdict of the polls. But, in the mean
/. time, II deprecates any attempt TO
I gain by stealth what the prohibition
, lists know they cannot gain In any
! other way. 1t simply suggests that
|. the Republican party owes It to its
J. own self-respect to be honest with it.
self and to keep its platform pledge
: with regard to local option, and I'M
+ I'll it is well informed that the e'ec-
3 torate that adopted the law has no
r more use for IT,
4 II Vermont is to return to state
4 prohibition let us do It honestly.
I. straightforwardly, like men. and not
|. sneak behind petticoats.- Adams
r Messenger.