The Portland daily press., 1876-01-20
MATTERS In MAINE.
State Temperance Convention.
A LARGE AND EARNEST MEET
ING.

Especial to the Press.l

lOpSSiai " enS AAOoS'I
AUGUSTA, Jan. 19.-Ihe State Temperance
Convention is one of the most enthusiastic and
largely attended held for many years. This is
largely due to the prominence which the reform
element has assumed in the cause. Governor
Common presided in the afternoon. On taking
the chair he made an address which receives
the commentator of ALL
The afternoon session was devoted largely to
the reports of the reform clubs BY reformed
men. The reports as mass offered striking
proof of the temperance revival in Maine.
Mr.. Chadbourne of Saco claims that York is
the banner county. ..........
Mr.. Stetson of Damariscotta arraigned the
churches very severely for tho lack of interest
in the cause. Complaints were made of abuses
in town and city agencies, and legislation has
be en- suggested. ..
Gen. Neal Dow presented an address to the
people of the state, of which the following is
an abstract
1t reviews the field of the temperance reform
in Maine for the last quarter of a century and
cohgratulates the people on the great progress
that has been made in changing the drinking
habits of the people and the suppression of the
traffic of strong drinks. 1t declares that pro.
hbition of the traffic has produced great and
most benefcient results; that the larger portion
OF the state is entirely free from that traffic.
1t says that while the trade fingers in some of
the larger towns it is carried on secretly and
only by the lowest and vilest part of the peo-
pie, mostly foreigners. The legislature is ap-
pealed to as a matter of right to supply prompt
y such further penalties of the fine and
imprisonment as will effectually suppress the
manufacture of, and traffic in, intoxicating
drinks, and adds that the temperance move
ment never occupied so prominent position as
now.
On the meeting of the convention in the
evening Gen. Neal Dow spoke with his accus-
toned earnestness for an hour. He was fol-
lowed by Mrs. Allen of Orono, wife of Presi-
deut Allen, and two other ladies.
discussion followed respecting legislation.
Mr.. Hall of Damariscotta said there was law
enough.
DR.. Brickett of Augusta, also took the same
view.
Mr. Stetson of Damariscotta was sure that
further law is needed against whiskey sold as
cider and native wines.
Ex-Governor Dingley followed by stating
just what law Maine has, and said that the
nuisance act applied to cider..and other bever-
ages sold under that name. He said there was
law sufficient to close every dram shop in the
state.
There will be a sharp conflict between the
two wings tomorrow on the question of legis-
lation. 1t is understood that Messrs. Dingley,
Nye and Shorey prefer to let the law stand as
| it is, but Gen. Dow and few others, including
number of reformers, want more law. There
| is some feeling on the part of the latter
ITO the associated Pressl
Rev. Stephen Allen Accept the tSuperin-
tendency of the Industrial School.
Rev. Stephen Allen, d. D prominent
clergyman of the Methodist denomination, has
accepted the position of Superintendent of the
Industrial School for Girls at Hailowell, to
which he was elected by the board of manag-
ers at their meeting on the 18th inst.
Postal.
| WASHINGTON, Jan. 19.-William L. Boyd
has been appointed postmaster at Houlton, Me
Fatal Accident.
SKowHEGAN, Jan. 19-John Merry of Stark
80 years of age, was killed yesterday by tree
falling upon him. He leaves wife and on,
child.
| Accidents.
| PENNINGTON, Jan. 19-S. r. Mosher of thi
town, 70 years of age, was injured by tree to
day which in falling struck him on the head
He was unconscious for long time but will re
cover.
Wilton, son of Sewall Pease, ten years old
broke through the ice while skating to-day Blu
managed to save himself.