The Portland daily press., 1880-06-03
A Discussion Of the Liquor Question.

Dodfu VI Iraue nave Deen thoroughly repaired
and re-arranged, and yesterday morning were
opened by a gathering of some of the most
prominent citizens. Among those present j.
B. Brown, Esq Hon. W. W. Thomas, Hon.
Israel Washburn, Jr., Hon. George W. Wood
man, Gen. Samuel j. Anderson, G. E. Jose,
Capt. j. B. Coyle, Woodbury. S. Dana, the
English Vice Corsul George Il. Starr, j. W.
Perkins, Charles S. Fobes, Thomas j. Little,
VIM. Allen, Jr. R. M. Richardson. Captain
Washington Ryan and large number of
others.
The meeting was called to order by Super.
intendent Rich who briefly stated the object
and gave some idea of the present condition of
the institution. He then nominated for chair
man Gen. S. j. Anderson, president of the
board of trade.
General Anderson made some brief remarks
urging the people to wake up, saying that he
regarded the business of Portland as duller
than in other places of less facility. He re-
ferred to the liquor law saying that it kept
away from the city large class of people who
would otherwise come here and who would be
a benefit to the city.
Ex-Governor Washburn was then called on.
He spoke of the advantages of having read
ing room where merchants could come and con-
verse freely. He wanted to see Portland flourish
and he suggested that following the example O.
other places the city should erect an extensive
but inexpensive exposition building upon
some suitable site, which should be for the pur-
pose of holding once year grand fair, which
should be contributed to by all portions of the
State. In this way everything that is made
in the State could be seen and the affair would
greatly benefit Portland.
The next speaker was Hon. George W.
Woodman. He referred to the advance which
has been made in the business of Portland
since he first was acquainted with the city.
He also spoke of the advantages of maintain
ing the Merchants Exchange.
Charles S. Fobes, Esq, was then called up
on. He said that he spoke as the treasurer of
the institution and not individually. The
people do not appreciate the advantage of a
board of trade and all exchange. They say
that it doesn't pay for the money invested.
Neither does parlor yet few are willing to
do without one. Mr.. Fobes then spoke of the
fact that Portland has not suffered from panics
because the merchants are always ready to
stand by each other. They support each other
heartily but 1t is difficult to get them to at
tend the board of trade meetings
Hon. w. w. Thomas said that it must be
conceded that an institution like this is neces-
sary and ought to be supported. Portland is
becoming the centre of summer travel to Old
Orchard and the islands of Casco Bay Visi-
tors always inquire for a place where they
may read the stock quotations and market re-
ports Portland is increasing in business,
Men of large business interest say that they
are doing more business to-day than ever be-
fore. The speaker then turned to Hon. George
W.. WOodman and inquired concerning his
business. That gentleman stated that his
business was larger than ever before. Messrs
G. E. Jose, Charles S. Fobes and John VI .
Perkins were asked the same question and all
responded that they were doing more business
than ever before.
Hon. j. B. Brown was next called upon
He stated that on his recent return from the
south he had found the business of Portland
dull. The people rely too much upon the fact
that this is commercial city. They point to
their railroads and splendid harbor and do
nothing. We must do something and not rely
ON our natural advantages. We must have
manufactures which will increase our popula-
ton and make our retail trade increase. No
city is SO much in want of the cooperation of
business men of means. The liquor law is I'M
popular and drives many away and keeps more
from coming. The red signs of "To Lett on
buildings and houses show how the law is
driving people away. Politicians dare not OPP
pose 1t even though they privately condemn it.
Capt. j. B. Coyle said he had no sympathy
with introducing liquor. People who own
real estate may want it, but the mass of the
people do not. A certain class of people would
be brought here by repeating the liquor law,
but business men wont put the business into
the hands OF drinking men. They may let
them tenements but the won't employ them
He then referred to the steamboat business
here, which he said was larger that it was five
years ago. He thanked the merchants for the
noble manner in which they had stood by the
Portland Steam Packet Company in the past.
Hon. w. w. Thomas rose again and said he
wished to make some additional statement.
He said he didn't care to live in purely man
ufacturing town where everything was full of
hustle. He stated that the little gain which
may be had from the sale of beer is over
Swallowed by the vast amount of misery pro-
duced. He referred to the immense increase
in the grocery business. Formerly a grocer
whose annual business amounted to $685. 90 or
$10O,ooO was considered large dealer. Now
We have grocers whose business foots up to
100000 annually.
Hon. j. B. Brown said that there was a
large class of young men who are to work and
make money. Manufactures would keep them
here, but without them they go off to the
West. What he wanted was to see our streets
TEEN with life like those of New York and
Boston. The business men should take hold
with will When subscriptions for the At
lantic q st: Lawrence railroad were solicited
he subscribed half of what he was worth. If
other men would take hold of new enterprises
like that things would be very different.
Mr.. G. E. Jose, after congratulating the city
upon the admirable quarters just opened,
which always give prestige to commercial
city, said that the topics before the meeting
had taken wide range which was to have
been expected. He then referred to the injury
that had been worked in the city and state by
the prohlbitory law. He had watched the
workings of that law for the past twenty-five
years, since 1856, and he claimed that any en-
lightened observer could not fail to note that
1t had been an injury morally and politically.
1t had been most fertile breeder of hypocrisy,
even in pulpits. He had known all the legisla
lures for the same period of time and in every
one from 70 to so per cent of the members were
addicted to taking liquor to a greater or less
extent, while they voted against it. And yet
the speaker dehed the strongest advocates of
prohibition to show that they city of Portland
was as prosperous, any more intelligent, any
more virtuous, if as much SO, as any city of it's
size among the places of commercial i'm
portance in the United States. Mr.. Jose also
alluded to the pluck Of Maine men who, in the
past, had made Portland what she was, and
thought our people should do all they could to
bring people to Portland instead of driving
them away.
Mr.. A. l.. Hobson made brief speech,
speaking highly of the Atlantic & st. Law
renee road and referring to the fact that Port
land exports 100000 shocks annually to the
West Indies.
A letter was read from Charles Mclaughlin
authorizing the management to sput down his
name for such sum as was thought best to help
along the enterprise.
An invitation was received to visit the
national silk loom.
The Board of Trade room has been connected
with the Exchange room by an elegant bronze
stair case of light and pretty design furnished
by W. w. Thomas. The rooms are beautifully
tinted in light canary color, and generally re-
fitted throughout. A pair of handsome new
blackboards from New York are placed in the
room and with the Encouragement of the
fixtures and furniture present very attractive
appearance.
Over SO different newspapers and periodicals
are now received at the Exchange rooms, and
as least 25 kilograms daily are furnished by
the enterprise and cooperation of the Western
Union Telegraph Company, which at the
regular prices would cost 5000 to $4,000 per
annum.
A telephone has been placed in the Ex-
change for the use of the subscribers.
Maine Homoopathists.
A PRESS dispatch from Augusta yesterday