The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1855-04-13

G. Mayor Dow's inaugural which was de-
livered on Monday, seems to have given
much satisfaction to the citizens Of Port.
land, the 4dyetiser says,to many who vot-
ed against him as well as to those who sup
ported his election. His remarks upon city
matters were pertinent, and to the point
Those who supposed his message would be
all Maine Law, were much Disappointed
We copy wha, he says respecting the law
and IL enforcement. The remarks are pre-
cisely as they should DO -
ut is no less the duty Of the city govern.
mnt to provide as far as possible for the
preservation for the peace and good order Of
III. community, aud for the domestic and
Preside peace and happiness Of the people.
than 10 construct drains, pave streets and
regulate the shipping in the harbor. And
everything which tends to produce poverty,
|pauperism, suffering and crime among tho
people, is legitimate subject for legal nc.
ton and municipal regulation.
You will readily anticipate that mean to
speak of the illegal traffic in Intoxicating
drinks, as the prolific and unfailing source
of all the evils allude to, and Of many
more Of which have not time to cpcak.-
The secret, unlawful rum traffic produces
moro suffering amongst US, than all other
causes Of evil combined. The people Of
this State for many years have turned their
attention steadily to this subject, and have
endeavored to provide remedy for the
terrible evils Of intemperance, and to that
end have procured the legal prohibition Of
the rum traffic.
In 1916 the licensing system was abol-
ishcd by our Legislature, and the traffic in
strong drinks forbidden, and in 1851 the
legislature followed up the policy already
commenced, by bill Of pains and penalties.
The result Of this measure is, that open
rum selling is generally abandoned through
out the State decent people are no longer
engaged in IL but where It exists at oil, II
is carried on by inscriptions men, with SO
cresy and caution. The last legislature, in
giving expression to the will Of the people,
that drinking houses and tipping shops
shall be suppressed in Maine, passed on &c,
for that purpose with increased pains and
penalties for its violation, and made it the
particular duty Of Selectmen Of towns and
Mayors and Aldermen OF cities, to see that
the act is properly enforced within their sew
eral jurisdictions.
consider the object Of that law, viz the
humiliation Of the rum traffic, as ono Of very
great Importance to the prosperity Of the
city in oil its various interests and to the
welfare and happiness of all our peopls.
shall not fail therefore to employ oil the
power which the law has put into my hands
and oil which you may entrust to me, fol
the accomplishment of the purpose contem'
plated by the Legislature.
I was induced to permit my name to BE-
used in the recent municipal canvass, in con
necion with the Office to which my fellow
citizens have done me the honor to elect me
by circumstances over which had no con.
troll, and Of which ! do not foresee the re-
currence. And IL in retiring from the re-
sponsible position which I now occupy, al
the end Of my term Of Office, l shall be able
to say that tho city is no longer cursed with
tho traffic in strong drinks, and that pros.
peri,y and happiness reign in oil her borders,
| shall consider it the happiest moment Of
my life."