The Portland daily press., 1867-01-26
State Temperance Convention.
IRON OUR SPECIAL REPoRTER.l

ueieSdtion from the various IeuperaHce VI So
izations in and about Portland, left that city on
Wednesday, P. M. via the p. & r. kaiiroad' III
care of the veteran Conductor Mltchen' 10 az
tend the State Temperance Convention 70 pc
held in Augusta to-day. The enects OF the re-
cent storms were apparent IN the numerous
deem drifts thro' which we passed and in the oc-
casional stoppages we were compelled to make,
while the iron horse drove the snow blow
through the snow banks, still forming by the
action of the wind. We arrived at the CAPITAL
somewhat late, but in season for capital sup
per at the Cushnoc House.
Thursday uorning at 10 o'clock the Conyen-
ton was called to order by B. +. Tallman. ESQ.
OF kichmond' and Nelson Dingley, Esq, of
Lewiston, was chosen temporary Chairman
Prayer was offered by Rev Mr. woodruff, Of
Bangor. ptfs'
The preliminary organization was completed
and the usual committees were appointed. The
forenoon session was occupied in this business,
and the permanent organization was perfected
by the choice of Governor J. L. Chamberlain as
President with list of Vice Presidents and
Secretaries. fsi ,.s..,
AFTERNOON SESSION
The Convention came to order at o'clock
and shortly after Gov Chamberlain was intro
duced and received with great enthusiasm. On
taking the Chair he addressed the Convention
| in substance as follows: l19G ,".
GOVERNOR CHAMBERLAIN's SPEECH
| 1t was my design prior to my knowledge of
the honor you have conferred upon me, to iden-
| tify myself with this Convention and take such
a part as might be able in the good work in
which you are engaged. Though not actively
| engaged in any temperadce organization, do
| profess that this cause lies near my heart and
claim right to participate in your delibera-
tons by virtue of that clause of the call for this
meeting which includes all who would stay the
| tide of evil resulting from the vice you combat
This cause has my warmes sympathy and to
| its progress would lend all of aid which may
| be in my power. 'H
| 1t mas been suggested that inasmuch as the
measures coming before this Convention may
be presented to the Legislature for enactment
as law might feel delicacyin taking part with
you; but even if it be understood that L am
here, in my capacity as Chief Magistrate of the
| State, donot shrink from the resp0nSiJility
have duty as well as a right to identity my
4 self with this movement-for it is a movement
| not a dead issue, for what nobler care what
| more imperative demand rests upon the mag
istrate than that he do all he may to rescue his
people from so great an evil as that wrought
by intemperance? / understand as well as you
that but Tor this our prisons would not need
| enlarging. alp AiF h. Esg5. SKA 81 fsbEs !,
The Governor then commented briefly upon
the results TO the material welfare of the State
remarking that it becomes all good and true
citizens of the State to identify themselves
with this movement and lend their aid in stop.
ping SO great a drain upon our money re-
sources.
Governor C.'s address was received with fire.
quent and loud applause, and it will be ex
ceedingly gratifying to the friends of Temper
ance throughout the State to find him so fully
identified with them in thought and feeling.
! A letter was read from Judge Davis of Port
land, expressing his regret at his inability t.
be present. and giving the following statistsc
in relation to the enforcement of the law il
your city during the past six months:
THE whole number Of prosecutions ha
been i'- ''i II.
]. Discharged, iop.ia3 as1sdo9
\ Amount of fines paid, usi la. $500
T Tree persons have paid fines s each.
y Four ll" 3 :" "ss5a
Sne n,l@ aafoa 6 a
These seventeen persons have paid seventy
five fines and still continue the traffic. NJ
merous others have been fined several time
i and have not ceased their violation of the Law
From these facts Judge D. claims that the Law
should be so amended as to punish its viola
tions by imprisonment. ,4
The committee appointed to present amend
ments to the present Liquor Law reported
and after debate and amendment the repor
was adopted. 1t asks for the amendment Q
Sec. Z, by making the penalty for single sal
of liquor, $40 and costs and imprisonment 70
sixty days for the first offence, and for the sec
months; of the 18th section search and seizur
clause), by making the penalty $50 and cost
and sixty days imprisonment for each offence
| the party to give bonds to abide the sentenc
of the Supreme Corrt, and also bonds not t
sell while the case is pending. 1t also ask
for the establishment of a State Constabular
similar to that in operation in Massachusetts
EVENING SESSION.
In the evening an informal public hearing
before the Legislative Special Committee o.
the Amendment of the Liquor Law, was ha,
in Granite Hall. The hall was well filled ant
the matter at issue was ably presented by tn
gentlemen appointed by the Convention. Re
marks were made by Messrs. Munger and Ste
| l.
and d. B. Randall of Augusta, and Messrs
Dingley aid Cilley of Lewiston. Without at
tempting report of their remarks, it may b,
said that their purport was to show. 1st, that il
cities and large towns the law is not efficien
to stop the sale of Intoxicating drinks, I'd, tina
to make the penalty imprisonment for the frs
offence, would accomplish this object by til,
aid of, 3D., State Constabulary who should
not be affected by considerations of local poll
tics or private revenge These points were ell
oquently presented by the speakers. l
The Convention adjourned to meet tomorrow
morning. The attendance upon the Conven
ton has not been large, owing to the bad con-
dition of the roads and the difficulties of travel
but it has been more than made up in energy
and enthusiasm for it's lack in numbers
Whether the Legislature shall grant the
amendments prayed for or not, it cannot be
doubted that much good has been accomplish
ed in awakening renewed interest in the
cause. i54a ala4 80
p" FRIDAY MORNING 49, t't
! The Convention resumed its session at nine
o'clock, series of resolutions was adopted
of which the following is synopsis
The first recites that the Temperance men Of
Maine are neither few nor feeble that during
the rebellion this issue was in allegiance, hui
that the imperative demand is that no effor
should be spared to renew the war; ID. 4
The second terms slavery and rumsellno
twin elements of barbarism and expresses
desire that united in life they may not be di-
Weed in death.
The third recites the loyalty of the Temper.
ance men of the State -. oti,a.a =
The fourth pledges the Convention to vote
for none but Temperance men for office.
The fifth asks for amendment of Equor law
and for the establishment of State Constabrl-
| larry. ..f...-,
Measures were adopted looking to the organ
ization Of State Temperance Alliance
Adjourned. go LUTHER. .
| THE STATE. '