The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1917-03-05
Large Audience Present at
Annual Event i'm the
Auditorium
SPEAKERS WERE
LOCAL MINISTER'S

School Chorus Preceding Addresses
Some of the Points Brought Out in
the Discussion.
Clcrgymeu were the speakers in the
annual nnlieense rally in the Audi
torium last evening, which was varia-
ton from the usual custom. Although
n misty snowstorm began before the
meeting opened the audience was the
largest that has attended no-licensc
rally here in recent years, the first and
second doors being well filled. While
II is probably true that most OF the per
sons there were Of the same mind on
the license question Yet all felt that il
was decidedly worthwhile meeting.
The program was arranged by Rev.
Richard n. Clapp pastor of the Centre
Congregational church, ana included in
strumcntal numbers by combination
of Leitsinger's and the high school or.
chestra, vocal selections by the high
school chorus under the direction of the
supervisor, Frank NJ Cram, and speak
lux w ffNkUI nun tNlHiluy tHulIllldu VI
the local committee, Rev. r. Q. ;. Os-
good Of the Unitarian church, Rev. Ar
thur V. Woodwork Of the West Brattle
boro Congregational church, Rev. Thorn
as W. Owens Of the Methodist church,
Rev. James L. Rand of the Roman
Catholic church, and Rev. Mr.. Clapp.
On the platform also were Rev. George
A. q a II
church and Rev. Dclmar T.. Trout Of
the tniycrsalist church. The musical
numbers and speakers were warmly ap.
plaudcd and the program closed with
the singing Of one verse of America.
In opening the program of speaking
Smith simply outlined briefly the work
of the local committee aud stated that
the committee felt that the publicity
given, while IL might not change votes,
had wholesome influence in the coun.
~ by Keeping interest aroused.
Rev Mr. Osgood, the dean of the
Brattlchoro clergymcn, who came here
in 1897, told of conditions which existed
here NJ that time. Vermont was a pro
hibition state aud there was general
feeling Of apathy about the liquor qucs.
ton, the odorifcrous old town agency
room eNertng its baleful influence
among the people. Massachusetts. the
state from which he came, then had the
same law which Vermont now has, and
he was glad when this state adopted
that law. He felt that the two years
of license in Brattleboro after the law
was adopted furnished valuable object
lesson. The inertia Of the individual
he said, was hard TO fight against, and
he thought IL wise 20 come together each
year aud get greater inspiration TO dc
what was possible in the interest OF
temperance.
Rev. Mr.. Woodwork referred TO the
constantly increasing sentiment toward
temperance as bearing out the prophecy
of President Lincoln, who said that the
greatest question for the nation 10 face
after the adjustment of slavery was
the prohibition of the liquor traffic. The
business man realizes that temperate,
is essential 10 the welfare Of his EN-
ployes as well as himself. Scienc,
proves, he asserted, that the man who
takes one drink a day is never his nor
NAL self This is the age Of the create st
efficiency in business and the greatest
enemy Of efficiency is alcohol, as it is al
SO the greatcst cause of corruption il
politics
Rev. Mr.. Owens publicly thanked tn,
people Of Brattleboro for the privileg,
of living five years in a town of no sa
looms. He contrasted conditions her,
with those in New York where he wa
horn, and with those in Boston Hi
theme was the relation of liquor TO tn,
home and church. If il hurts either i
hurts the nation, aud he showed that j
does hurt all. lie was grateful that tn
town does not stand for the place
whore through swinging doors youn,
man can exchange his character 70
something that makes him a beast.
man should hc q king in his home. bu
liquor makes him slave. You men o
Vermont, he said, have deemed it I'm
wise 90 allow The women 90 vote. II j
up 10 YOU 20 clean out the liquor bust
ness. He made a plea for Y. NJ. G.
or community house for BrattlcborC
Rev. Father Rand expressed his pleas
urr az meeting the people of Brattlebor
publicly for the first time, especially a
they were gathered in preserving IN
fair name Of the town. He had though
there could b. no such place as Burlinl
ton, from which city he came. but h
had found one in Brattlcboro. althoug
somewhat smaller. lie said he admire
the civic pride of the people here an
when asking himself what made th
town SO beautiful the answer came
the civic pride of the people and III
absence of saloons. | am always and q
al times against the saloon, he state,
No one tights the saloon more than III
Catholic church. There il no argumei
whatsoever in favor of the saloon.
il against the best principles of citizel
ship against the home, against the o
eupants Of the home and a detriment I
the church II means the destruction
good citizenship and is against mora
civic and religious progress
Rev Mr.. Clapp spoke briefly in col
Guiding the program. lie expressed h
belief in the principle of statewiC
prohibition and said that there woul
be wet spots under any law ms long
the manufacture and shipment Of Ii
nor were permitted. Tn, time has u
terly passed for arguments for licen
an fha fgrnftud nf pargpuoE Iihorty =