The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1922-12-12
Prison for BoOtleggers and Rum Runners
Burlington Free Press.)


The Free Press has been insisting for
some time that our courts should impose
maximum penalties on criminals. The
effect of the imposing of sentence for
Imprisonment nine years on an automo-
bile thief by Judge Chase some time since
has had the effect we noted as probable
at the time. Professional automobile
thieves have since given Vermont wide
berth. In other directions stiff sentences
have also had very wholesome and
gratifying effect.
ON the other hand, we have repeatedly
noted the deplOrable effect of practically
minimum sentences in connection with
the violation Of the prohibition law In
the first place, we showed that the dis
closure provision of the law was not be-
| ing carried out in spirit, even if in letter.
The statement, Il got my booze from a
stranger" complies with the law.
Such a fake disclosure does not, how
ever fulfill the spirit of the law, which
makes it mandatory on the court TO re-
duire every person punished for lntoXIca-
ton TO tell where he secured the liquor.
If you think this law is enforced in your
community, ask your courts 10 tell you
how many convictions have resulted from
disclosure proceedings during the past
year.
The way in which our courts, as a
rule, have let bootleggers and rum-run-
ners out on very slight bail or probation
/ or with the payment VI NSA3 SiAleAi hiAta
| is nothing short of deplorable.
What is $500 BAN for a man who Is
persistently running rum from Canada
| into Vermont and thence to other states !.
What is fine of $500 and costs for a
rum-runner or bootlegger who is known
| to be a notorious and habitual yiolator
| of the law?
| In both of these instances the amounts
| imposed are equivalent to a license fee.
| a mere invitation TO violatOrs of the law
to continue in evil doing.
The enormity of the evil resulting
| from the imposing of practically mini
mum sentences in the case of rum-run
ners and bootleggers is also indicated by
La glance at the maximum penalty.
| The Vermont prohibitory law passed
| by the legislature in 1921 contains this
provision:
Section 655S of the General Laws is
| hereby amended so as to read as follows
| "A person who manufactures, sells,
barriers, transports, imports, exports, de
| livers, prescribes, possesses or furnishes
lany intoxicating liquor, except as au-
thorized in this chapter, or possesses a
/ still or other apparatus for the manufac-
ture of intoxicating liquor, or who ex-
poses or keeps with intent to furnish or
sell Intoxicating liquors, shall be inn
prisoned not more than II months nor
/ less than three months, or fined not more
than $1,000, nor less than $500, or
BOTH
Our judges have sworn not only to
/ uphold the constitution of the United
States and Vermont but also faithfully
TO perform their duties. We submit that
carrying out the spirit of Vermont's laws
is especially incumbent upon Vermont
justices of the peace, our municipal
courts and every other judicial officer.
We especially commend the attention
of the Burlington judicial and prosecut-
ing officers to the present need of jail
sentences under this provision of Yer
amont's prohibition law.