Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-03-08

In presenting the bill now under consider
.tion vour committee have not attempted to
present the average of public opinion, but
ave desired to be found leaning towards the
siorsl deuSsnds Of society, and in urging the
,easurcs reported fully realize the conflict
eswcen this selfish dcmorali5ing tendency of
.,ciety, fsks dt'rs road So all hat IS sril
.ni hcalthful moral sentiment which paases
OF At ina yinsry. ethical difficulties in accom-
lssAiag great good.
Iaasmuch then, as all men. who by unlaw-
al sale Of intoxicating liquors do it in defiance
public opinion and the law which is the cN-
onent Of public opinion, hut do II through the
romptngs Of their own selfish purposes, they
,hoald be held strictly responsible for the
arse which ii in3icss upon society.
At the same time the executor of such laws
hould he held equally responsible for avoid
ng tho application Of That law which emboid-
ms the viostor TO continuance of his evil
practice The safety Of society demands one
~ much as the other.
In this view the committee advised that the
officer who neelects TO institute proceedings
xpon the demands of two or more citizens
shall nc subject to fine. Also that warrant
shall he issued upon the oath or motion of one
indiyi dual instead of three as now provided.
That liquors which may be seized by war
RAM NAV Dt Sciycu without " tia'
liquors forfeited under the law shall be pub
licly destroyed in all cases.
The subject which was submitted to the
committee was openly discussed, and all who
desired had the privilege of offering their
views and suggesting measures to meet the
difficulty, from which has been selected the
bill presented.
In submitting their report the committee beg
leave to express the convictions which these
hearings renewedly force upon us. and we
ask YOU seriously to consider this question in
its true light.
The ruinous consequences of this evil are
rapidly spreading. 1t is not an uncertain or
underlined evil. 1t is commended TO your no.
tce and action by no less a peril than that OF
the Generalization and ruin of nearly half OF
the Young men now entering upon society.
1t is no longer necessary to go into the large
cities or towns to see hourly evidences of its
baneful influences, but in the country towns
and many a home, everywhere in Maine, I'M
restricted license seems to have its victim.
Let the parent and guardian consider his
responsibility while this question is before
him. Let the statesman consider the consc-
quences of such state of public morals in A
people who govern themselves, where the
strength of the nation is in the individual puri-
ty of its citizens. Let no rash or uncertain
measures be adopted. Nothing is gained by
i'll timed or boisterous denunciations. or eX-
periments of doubtful expediency, but having
become grounded in the principles of Prohibi-
ton, maintain it in good faith leaving no
loop-hole for escape of willful offenders against
the law. Such a course faithfully and con-
sstently pcrsevcred in, will commend itself
to the people and will be supported, while the
undue excitement of ultra measures will have
their day md then sink below n common level