Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-01-27
State Temperance Convention.
FORENOON MEETING.

Hon. Joshua Nve. called the convention to
| order. l.. W. Starbird Secretary, then read
the call for the meeting. Singing. II hear
thy welcome voice" Prayer by Rev. Mr.
Pope of Thomaston. Mr.. Pope prayed that
1.-The Lord may guide our present Governor
and Legislature in this matter of temper
| ance.''
At the suggestion of the chair. it was voted
to dispense with the reading of the records of
the last meeting. The chair announced that
the convention was really for business. and
said 'There will be no gag applied in this
convention. any man can speak upon this
floor, if he is disposed
Mr.. Simonton of Camden. addressed the
convention at some length, and urged har-
monions action. He said, ''the question Of
temperance is one that rises far above all
sectarian feeling, and representing as | do
the Good Templars of this State am happy
to welcome the representatives of all temper
ance organizations. The speaker eulogiZed
the prohibtory law. and Gen. Neal Dow as
its anthr, and characterized the temperance
work in this State as the ''grandest success
of any effort in the interest of moral reforma-
ton that he had ever read of in ancient or
modern history"
On motion of Mr.. Simonton of Camden, the
chair was instructed to appoint a committee
on Order of Business to consist of five
On motion Of Gen. Neal Dow. the chair
was instructed to appoint a committee on
resolutions TO consist of seven
On motion of Mr.. Chapman of Deer;ng,
the chair appointed Mr.. Chapman of Deering.
Mr.. Tallman of Bath and Mr.. Berry of Pitts
ton. committee to wait upon the Governor
and request his attendance upon the copycn-
ton.
Mr. Simonton Of Camden said Il see
Camp Meeting John Allen here, and as it is a
little cold. suggest that he warm us up"
The chair invited Mr.. Allen to address the
convention; and as the aged veteran came
forward to the stage he was greeted with great
applause. Mr. Allen spoke briefly in his
characteristic style. He said that he is still
temperance man, and believes that the pl-
innate result of the agitation of this question
will be the abolition of intoxicating drinks
from our land, that we need not feel alarmed
if we do encounter seeming reverses. we
must not give up the fight He would not tell
the man who says the Maine law is failure,
that he lies. but nevertheless he don't tell the
truth we are ahead of every State in the
Union except Kansas. but he believed they
had got the start of US.
The chair announced the following as the
committee on order of businss: J IT. Gree
ley, China; X. w. Dunn, waterville; F..
Gould. Augusta; David Garland. Winslow :
Geo. Z. Bracket, Belfast
On motion of Mr.. Starbird the chair was
instructed to appoint a committee to consist
of one from each county, for the nomination
of officers of the society for the ensuing
year.
By request of Mr.. Greeley. the committee
on order Of business retired to the ante
room.
Mr.. Talman of Bath. was invited to adj
dress the convention and responded briefly.
He said we come here to advance the cause Of
temperance, what we want is to have our
hearts filled with this great subject Some
want third party. We have different ideas.
but we all want temperance. We want men
who are alive TO work in our behalf Be-
gin at the National Capitol and 20 through
the land Men are agoing to try to repeal
that cider law. Why; Because they like
rum" He urged action and systematic
work.
Mr.. Berry of Pittston. said: have Of
ten been puzzled to find place to supply
the wants of the inner man without getting
into place where they have something to
drink" he urged the member of the conven-
ton to visit the christian Temperance Cot
fee rooms" of Mrs. Hooker on Water street.
Mr.. Spratt Of Clinton, spoke at some
length. and in closing said; I'VE have got no
promise from the Governor in his message
that he will do anything for us. and | am
glad that there is not. We have been cheated
long enough
Mr. Greeley from the committee, reported
the order of business during the several ses-
sions Of the convention.