Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-01-28
DISCUSSION BEFORE THE TEMPER
ANCE COMMITTEE.


The Joint Special Committee of both branch
of the Legislature, upon the subject Oh
Temperance, met in session for the first time,
in the Senate Chamber, last Wednesday eve
ming. The committee was raised under the
following Senate order
ordered, That Joint Special Committee
of three on the part of the Senate, with such
as the House may join, BIZ appointed to con-
slider such part of the Governors Message as
refers to the subject of Temperance, and re-
port what changes, if any, are desirable in the
present law.
And the following were appointed that COM
mittee :-Messrs. Lang of Kennebec, Cleaves
of Oxford, and Webb of Somerset, of the
Senate: and Messrs. Whidden of Calais,
WATSON of Surry, Bearce of Turner Brown
of Arson, Halves of Vassalboro', Burgess of
Portland, and Lewis of Liberty, of the House.
The chairman explained that the object in
raising the committee was to take into consid-
Grafton that part of the Governors Message
| relating to temperance, and to afford an OPP
portunity TO the people and friends of temper
ance to discuss the matter fairly, plainly and
publicly, so that the committee may have the
help of their advice, recommendations and
experience to guide them in their actions.
The meetings will be held regularly, every
Wednesday evening, and it is hoped all those
interested in the subject will be present and
present such facts and suggestions as they
may think best.
We made full notes of the remarks of the
gentlemen who spoke, but have room for but
a brief abstract of each
Mr.. May. of Winthrop, said he was in favor
of State Police to execute the prohibitory
laws but he did not much expect to see it re-
established by the present legislature.
Mr.. Stckney, of Pressure Isle, spoke to
considerable length. In his opinion the sale
of Intoxicating liquors is the greatest outrage
upon society and the greatest evil in the com
munity. He held that it is the right of the
community to protect itself well from the
rumseller from the thief, and the incendia-
ry; and it is the duty of our law makers to
provide the means for protecting the COM
munity against the sale of intoxicating liquors.
The great question is, how shall it be done
masses to the fact that intoxicants are injuri-
Gus, unnecessary and improper. But we
| need something more to stop the rumseller.
We need a State Police or some power of that
kind, which shall not only ask him to desist
but will say to him you must stop, and to
make good that saying. The late constabu-
larry proved an entire success while in oper-
alton in his county,-Aroostook As repub-
licans we are pledged to do something for the
temperance cause in Maine; if not there are
multitudes of true men in Aroostook who will
do something themselves. If the party proves
true to its promises and the plank in the Ban
gor platform, those who voted for the new
party will return, if not, many thousands will
go with them.
Mr.. Morris, of Portland, said a great mis-
take has been made by temperance men in re-
Taxing their efforts toward moral suason, and
depending upon the prohibitory law. Voted
for the creation of the constabulary, in 1867,
and for its repeal in 1868. Thought public
opinion ueula0Gtu sucH actlOO IN eaCH case.
The right sort of men cannot be found in
Portland for constables. We should deal
with rumselling same as with any other crime,
without special officers.
Mr.. Longley, Of Greene, said he believed
the present law. was sufficient if enforced.
Thinks penalty might be attached to fail
ure of the local officers to enforce the law
which would produce the desired results. The
canstabulary did not have a fair trial Be
lieves those who acted in the third party will
act with the republican party in future if we
are true to the principles of prohibition, bu,
if not, they will sustain their separate organ
ization. 1t is so in Androscoggin County
The law is not now enforced, else there would
not be a wholesale liquor sign'upon the princi.
pal street of this city. Ok