The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-02-08
OPPOSITION TO
SMILE LIQUOR
RADIUS BILL
Continued on sixth page)


the state.
Judge Darling not only opposed the
bill in an impressive and interesting
speech of over half an hour but sub.
mitted to cross examination by
Clifford II. Smith of the Vermont Anti
Saloon league and by Representative Al.
len of Vernon and by use of clever re-
partee caused repeated laughter at the
expense of his questioners.
Opponents of the bill were not. how
ever, permitted to hold undisputed sway,
| for toward the close of the hearing,
which was held in representatives. hall
directly after adjournment and attended
by several hundred people, Mr.. Smith,
secretary of the AntiSaloon league, Prof.
Groat of the University of Vermont and
DR.. +. Il. Clark Of the University of Yer
mont medical college, spoke in favor of
the measure. Representatives Cannon Of
Mortified and LaFleur Of Middlebury,
both of which towns would be affected
by the passage of the Hunt BILL briefly
voiced their opposition to the bill.
Representative Stearns of Burlington
opened the hearing with brief reference
to the statement of President Guy Potter
Benton made last week, when the head
of the state university said that similar
legislation had been passed in many
states. Mr.. Stearns mentioned many of
the larger universities of the country
such as Harvard, Brown, Yale, University
OF Rochester, Columbia, etc, to show that
none of the states in which they are To-
Gated have any such law. With the Har-
ward students a vote is taken each year
to ascertain If the body wishes to place
Cambridge in the license or no-license
column.
Mr.. Shaw, senator in the legislature
of 1915, pointed out that the idea came
out of the West, where most modern leg
islation emanates, but that q New Eng
land state has yet to adopt such a law.
In Ohio, where DIR. Benton was located
before coming to Vermont five years ago,
there is one instance where there is
two mile limit for an institution of high
err learning, and 200 yards is fixed as
the limit in the case of certain other in
situations. In Iowa, where DR.. Benton
was at one time located, saloons are held
at distance but breweries are allowed
to flourish anywhere.
Judge Darling followed Mr. Shaw and
discussed the question from practically
every angle, concluding by answering
questions flung at him by Mr.. Smith and
Allen. Judge Darling was
applauded vigorously.
Judge Darling said in opening that |
there are two propositions to consider, |
first, the University of Vermont; second, |
the people of Burlington.
He said that the university is supposed |
TO have the task of making leaders in
The different branches OF life and in pro-
fessions. Are we, questioned the speak
n, to place these prospective leaders in a
glass cage during their college career,
having them issue from the institution
without moral stamina?
The students, he argued, do not buy |
heir liquor in the open saloon but pur-
base it secretly and privately and take
: TO their rooms and club houses, that is,
he students who drink. He did not
gree with Dr. Benton that there are as
many as five or ten each year who sue
umb to the lure of the open saloon.
Judge Darling said that he was firm
'eliever in the ability of the people of
he state to conduct their own affairs
r to Ohio or Iowa.
He not only questioned the matter of
he University of Vermont wanting any
ueh legislation as the Hunt measure but
tated positively that certain members of
he board of trustees resented it. Ger
ainly if the board of trustees wanted
ny legislation for the benefit of the uni
ersity they know the way about the
tate House without guide and would
OF go to a small village on the other
de of the state to have it presented.
ertain people, said Judge Darling, never
ked the local option law and have done
Il they could to eirtumvent that law
Between the two extremes on the
lestion of prohibition, on one side the
importance fanatic and on the other the
runksrd and liquor interests, stand the
reat majority of people who usually see
lie question fairly and in the right light
II the good of the people.
Judge Darling said that just because
might be a good thing for st. Johns
Try to have saloon, never having vot-
license, il is ridiculous TO imagine a
II being introduced making compulsory
at town having a saloon but the Hunt
II planned to make Burlington dry
,ainst the expressed will of the people. !
The law starts a despised law in the !
more arbitrary than the j
Ration laws of the Revolution time, !
ID should it pass would lack support. !!
Secretary Smith of the Anti-Saloon i
ague asked Judge Darling if he had !
id that all of the people of Burlington I
sented the Hunt measure and after the 4
tier had attempted to show that they !
identity did, as evidenced by the vote y
the local option for the past 10 years I
d last years vote on the Perry bill, re- /
ated the question. Judge Darling, fac !.
2 his interrogation and within few 4
It of him, said: you are my fellow {
wnsman." The several hundred inter I.
Ted listeners appreciated the point and L
Dke into unsurpassed laughter at the !
ly. Representative Allen of Vernon =
70 endeavored to corner Judge Darling, -
{ finally decided that he could not 4
Itch the Burlington man and sat down
her discounted.
Col. ]. II. Mimms objected to dis
nchisement by indirection and said
It the measure in his opinion originat-
with the Anti-Saloon league. This
tement brought forth an instant de-
] from Mr.. Smith, who asked the com
ttee to believe him when he said that
league had no knowledge that such
was introduced until it made its APP
rance