Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-01-16
state Temperance Convention.

State, assembled at Meonian Hall, at noon
yesterday, for the purpose named in the call,
the holding Of convention to consult as to
the best interests of the temperance cause.
The convention was called to order by
Hon. Joshua Nye, who nominated Hon. n.
G. Hchborn ofStockton, as temporary chair
man. On taking the chair Mr.. Hichborn
thank the convention for the honor con-
ferred and said he was glad 10 see so many of
the friends of temperance present. WHO had
met together SO often in similar conventions.
The venerable Campmeeting John Allen
led the convention in prayer.
Col. +. Z. Shaw of Paris, was chosen tenn
porary Secretary, but declined on account of
other duties, and B. F. Hamilton of Bidde-
ford, was chosen in his stead.
On motion Of Mr.. Nye, the following COM
mittee was raised on permanent organization:
Joshua Nye of Augusta, Henry Tallman Of
Bath, Neal Dow of Portland, + +. Shaw of
Paris, J. S. kimball of Bangor.
Rev. John Allen made characteristic
speech while the committee on permanent
organization was out.
The committee on permanent organization
reported the following list of permanent Off
GERS of the convention
Presdent-IIon. Sidney Perham.
Vice Presidents-A. L. Morrill, of Read
field, Neal Dow of Portland, Geo. Z. Brickett
of Augusta, John S. Kimball of Bangor, n.
G. Hiehborn of Stockton, Q. G. Hall of Rock
land, E. w. Stetson of Damariscotta, d. I.
Tallman Of Richmond, Ara Cushman of Au-
burn, +. Z. Shaw of Paris, J. Is. 05good Of
Gardiner.
Secretaries-B. F. Hamilton Of Bijdcford,
Geo. E. Bracket OF Belfast.
The report was accepted ana the officers
declared elected.
The same committee was delegated to wait
upon the Governor and inform him Of his cleo
ton as President Of the convention.
The convention then adjourned to . - p.
VI.
AFTERNOON SESSION
In the absence of Mr.. Hichborn, temporary
chairman, DR.. Beckett of Augusta, Vice
President, took the chair.
Mr.. Nye, from the committee to inform the
Governor of his election as chairman, report
ed that the committee had attended to their
duty, and the Governor had accepted the
honor, and was present to enter upon the
duties of the Office.
Thereupon, the Governor appeared and
was enthusiastically received. On being in
troduced, the Governor thanked the conyen-
ton for the compliment conferred. He was
pleased to be here, as he was always pleased
to be with the friends of the cause of temper
ance. For great many years he had been
engaged in this work-he had been working
in this field for thirty eight years, in public
and private-had spoken in season and out of
season, and had seen its varying fortunes.
He noted its very great advancement in this
State; Remembered the time when custom
sanctioned drinking generally, and did not
consider it very bad if a man drank heavily.
This had changed and progress made in every
direction. We have reason to be proud of
the position Maine occupies on this question.
But there is still much to do. During the
year much progress has been made in the
children's organization, the Cold Water Tenn
pies, and the Reform Clubs. Children have
their influence on their parents and friends,
and many families to-day rejoice who one
year ago sat in sackcloth and in ashes. This
shows well for the moral influences that have
been used. How stands it in regard TO the
execution of the law? So far as the doctrine
of prohibition is concerned, no enc doubts
that it is an established principle, and is to
stand permanently on our statute books. In
regard to the measures adopted by the last
legislature, they have perhaps not had the
uccess that was anticipated or hoped for, but
we are convinced that with the law we have
had greater success than we would have had
without it. Sheriffs have done their duty as
general thing; some have shirked. Where
the law had been executed there has been less
of intemperance. In Portland, during the
summer months, some remarkable statistics
were shown in the criminal records, indlca-
ting great advances. This had been the case
in Bangor and other places. He urged the
friends present to go right forward in the
work. We stand upon impregnable ground.
No titful, spasmodic efforts will suffice, it is u
cause in which we have got TO work on pa
tently and persstently, and add to whatever
no 1nnk iper IN, Sot1 thn
present time.
On motion of Mr.. Dow of Portland, the
following committee was appointed to pre-
pare an address to be adopted by the conven-
ton and sent to the people: Neal Dow, j. s.
Kimball of Bangor, o. G. Hall of Rockland,
j. X. Osgood of Gardiner, G. +. Brckett of
Augusta. Subsequently DR.. Brckett and Mr..
Osgood withdrew from the committee, as their
work in the temperance cause was somewhat
different from that usually recommended at
these conventions.
Rev. Mr.. Cousens of IIallowell, was called
upon and gave an account of the progress OF
the Cold Water Temples in the State, that
now number eighty-three. Letters came to
him from various parts of the State and coun-
try, asking about these organizations.
Rev. Mr.. Martin of Augusta, spoke hope
fully of the cause in Augusta
DIR. A. j. w. Stevens of Parkman, said
that Piscataquis county had new Sheriff
and Deputies and the law is bound to be ex-
ecuted there. Did not know of but one
place in the whole county where liquor is
Sold Did not prescribe it for medicine and
did not believe it neediul for sick people.
DR.. Brickett was called upon and said he
was always ready to talk upon the subject of
temperance. He had been moderate drink
err for twenty-five years when the tidal wave
of reform reached him, and he thanked God
that he had been able to keep the pledge
inviolate. He wanted the old ''ramrods" to
partake of the spirit of the reform. We have
plenty of law, but moral means are more po-
tent than legal.
s!r. Tallman Of Bath, said he would do all
in his power to lift up the drunkard, but he
could not 60 to the rumseller and say, "God
bless your traffic." Let the whole State join
the reform movement, and say by its legisa-
ton that the traffic shall not exist here. Sub
sequently Mr.. Tallman remarked that he was
in favor Of abolishing the town and State
agencies.