The Portland daily press., 1874-06-24
THE sLUMs OF PORTLAND.
A Lady's Experience.

Mr. EDTroR:-Some weeks since, at the Or
ganzation of the "WomaL's movement in
this city, found myself placed, without my
knowledge, upon one of the committees to WIS.,
it the liquor dealers of this city. Deeming it a
duty to do all in my power to suppress this
traffic, engaged in the duties thus thrust upon
me, with as much zeal as the limited time at
my disposal allowed. / candidly acknowledge
that our reception, generally, at the lowest
rum shops in town, was courteous, if not fruit
full in good results. Some were ready to give
up their business, if they could find other bust
ness that would pay as we'll. Some considered
the City Agency as bad as their own places,
and thought that first should be closed up.
Some asked defantly why the hotels, and
wholesale dealers were not made to stop the
traffic. One man said that the law was enforc
ed almost entirely upon the smallest dealers;
that when any of the rich dealers were to have
search" they were notified long enough be-
rorehand so their property could be removed:
that shop beer" was seized in the shops of the
small dealers, while the barrels by the dozen,
SO marked. in the stores of the wholesale deal
ers were passed by without being winked at
knowledge This person CAD be interviewed by
auy who desire it, making application to
me. Many curious facts were developed in
these interviews can assure you.
In only one place were we insulted, and it is
of that place L now wish to say q few words.
The proprietor has his shop on Temple street,
and we have since learned that it is one OF the
worst places in the city-a place where the
best part of the lowest kind of Yankee drunk
ards get their miserable substitute for liquor.
The an-genblemanly proprietor has a trade by
which he might earn an honest livelihood.
When his name is written in the directory it
sounds better to have his trade mentioned than
to have it announced that he keeps rum
shop" On entering the shop the lady who
was with me said she called to see if she could
interest him in the subject of temperance. He
said he did not care to be interested in that
subject; that he sold rum and SO did they
pleasantly referring to the City Agency; that
they had better stay at home and mind their
business. After this outburst he stepped into
the bar room and came out with printed
paper. containing profane andialmost obscene
prayer, which he offered them, and showed
them out.
AT another time may send some more notes
of our travels among this unfortunate class,
but this will do for the present.
ONE OF THE VISITING COMMITTEE.
STATE CELEBRATIoN.-The 2Sth of next Au-
Suoo 10 1uC oloU duuifCiodiy VI ouO AUTHORIZATIONS
of o id Fellowship into this state At meet
ing of the Grand Lodge of this state held here
it was voted to celebrate the occasion iE this
city in grand style, under the auspices OF the
Grand Lodge in this city. The committee who
have the matter in charge are appointed from
different parts of the state. Every lodge and
encampment In the state are invited and several
visiting encampments from out of the state may
be expected. All the railroads coming into the
city have made arrangements to carry passen-
gers ON that day at balf fare. The following
programme has been decided upon:-A pro-
cession through the principal streets in the
morning, to be followed by an Grafton in City
Hall. Then grand clambake. Afterwards
a sail in the harbor in one of the steamers will
come off. The whole affair is to be wound up
by dance in City Hall in the evening.
The following officers of the Grand Lodge of
the United States have been invited to be pre-
sent:-Deputy Grand Sire, M. J. Duran of
Connecticut; Grand Secretary, james L. Ridg
lev and Grand Sire James B. Nicholson, of
Philadelphia.
The affair is in the hands of an efficient COM
mittee, and it is expected that it will be big
time, all the lodges in the state will unite to
celebrate the birth of Odd Fellowship in Maine.