The Republican journal., 1882-11-30
Prohibition in Rockland.

We believe we do our sister city no injustice
when we say that for some time past Rockand
has been the home of rum-sellers, who have
carried on their nefarious traffic with compare
tive impunity. The press has denounced them,
but without avail. Their haunts were well
known. but they were seldom disturbed. In
deed, it was hardly worth while to secure an
arrest, as the Free Press says that ''for several
years it is well understood Il dishonest county
them from punishment" Now Rockland seems
to have officers who can be depended upon to
enforce the law, and public sentiment which
sustains and encourages them. This sentiment
is largely due, we believe, to the labors of the
Women's Christian Temperance Union, and the
members of this society have also been mainly
instrumental in bringing about the recent >eiz-
urcs of liquor and arrest of rum-sellers, and
which, if per>eyercd in, must eventually break
up the traffic. The Conference.-The says ::
. When the State Woman's Christian Tenn
perancc Union met here few weeks since,
the matter was discussed as to whether or not
it was the duty of members to sign search
In accordance with this decision number of
the ladies of the Union have been signing these
warrants before Justice Hicks, and upon them
several of the liquor sellers have been appre
hended." Three eases have been disposed of.
as follows: James Mclaughlin, fined 800 and
months at hard labor in Jail. and Fred Lorrain,
800 and costs. The eases We're all appealed
and bonds given. The Courier Gazette gives
the following incident of one of the trials:
Coombs insisted upon summoning into court
as a witness. Mrs. g. NJ. Brainard, president of
the W. {. L. L.. whose name was signed TO the
warrant under which he had been apprchend
ed. Just what his purpose was in taking such
step is not clear, though it is supposed it was
intended as an intimidation. for nearly all the
liqnor sellers We're assembled in the court room
as the hour came around. But they reckoned
without their host, for when the plucky presl-
dent appeared She was accompanied by Il body
guard OF Il dozen Of the brave women of the
Union, and the representatives of the two fac
tons faced each other throughout the scene
There was wait in proceedings for the defend
ants counsel. one of the ladies asked the Judge
if he had any objections to her offering prayer
"Cerainly not" was the courteous reply of his
honor, WhereupOn the lady arose. and amid a
hush addressed touching and eloquent petition
to the throne of grace. "Oh. God" she prayed
Thou knowc>t the hearts. Thou knOWest the
bitter sorrow, Of those whose loved ones are the
victims of intemperance." She proceeded in an
earnest appeal for those who sold intoxicating
liquors. that they might be led to see the error
OF their way and the evil they were creating
Those who heard the prayer say it was one of
the most beautiful they ever listened to. 1t GER
tanly was an unusual scene for our police
court room.
The Free Press says: Enough has been
done in these cases 10 prove conclUsivcly that
with ali the inventions and arts that may be
practiced by the violator> of the liquor laws.
vigilant and faithful officers can practically
break up the traffic. Men will be compelled TO
abandon the business if 20 closely followed up
that it is Improbable and the penalties OF fine
and imprisonment become too severe" That
is very true. But something more than yigilant
and faithful officers is needed. and that is Il Sll>-
tanning public sentiment, and temperance men
and women with the courage of their conyic-
tons.