Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1883-10-09

sent in detail those facts which conclu-
sively demonstrate that our prohibitory
laws have been productive Of great good
in mitigating the temptations Of the
dram-shop in Maine. No one claims
that they have extinguished the secret
dram-shop. Laws prohibiting murder
and robbery do not absolutely proven,
these crimes; they simply lessen and
mitigate them. That our prohibitory
laws have diminished the dram-sbop
evils more than license has done in Other
states, and more than license did when
tried in this state,-is within the person.
al observation of large number Of oul
citizens.
Replies to circulars addressed to each
town in Maine indicate that, in large
proportion Of the towns. intoxicating liq.
uors are not even secretly sold. mas
much as before the advent Of prohibition
there were from three TO a dozen open
dram-shops in nearly all of these towns,
this great change for the better of itself
demonstrates the success of our prohibit
tory laws.
In all but a very few of the towns and
cities, there is no free. open, undisguised
sale of liquors; and the secret sale is
conducted under more or less difficulties,
varying with the degree Of efficiency OF
the enforcement of the law, 80 Is for the
most part to offer little temptation to per-
sons not seeking for an opportunity te
crafty their appetites.
II is well-nigh the universal testimony
of those who have engaged in temperance
work that our prohibitory laws are an
impor,an, adjunct of moral agencies IN
the promotion Of temperance, not only
by diminishing the dram-shop tempta'
tons, but also by their educational in.
fiuence. The great improvement in the
drinking habits and the genef0 condition
of our people during the past forty years,
affords abundant evidence Of this.
But no cause, however good, car
triumph over error unless its friends la
Dor to secure success. We appeal there
fore. to every friend of temperance to
give his active efforts and his influence
to make the vote in favor Of prohibition
one year hence so storong that no one
can misunderstood the position Of Maine
on this question.
I, is highly important that there be SC
strong a vote of the people Of Maine OF
all political organizations as 70 lift the
question of temperance and prohibition
above partisanship into the sphere OF
common morality. Il is TO accomplish
this resul,-one most earnestly desired
by every friend Of temperance-thst the
undersigned State committee, composed
Of gentlemen connected with each Of the
political parties in Maine, appeal to each
individual voter without regard to MI
party affiliations. to sustain the cause o.
temperance and prohibition BY an affirm
alive vote on the amendment. and thu:
make the principle Of prohibiting dram
shops the policy, no, Of any party, but
that Of the people Of Maine withou. re-
gard to party names or associations.
Nelson Dingley, it,. Lewiston,
+. r. Simonton. Camden,
II. A. Shorey. Bridg.on,
State Lodge Of Good Templars.
]. W. Donegan, Bangor,
J. X. Osgood, Gardiner,
81. Carleton. Portland,
Sons Of Temperance.
Neal Dow, Portland,
Joshua Nye. Augusta.
d. w. LeLacheur, Portland,
State Temperance Society.
J. B. Aver. Bangor.
A. K. P. Buffum. Gardiner.
w. 7. Eus,is, Dixfeld,
From Reform Clubs.
/. Luce, Gardiner,
II. c. Munson. South Berwick,
r. W. Dunn, vaterville,
State Temperance Alliance.
Mrs. II. Ba,,tow, Bangor,
Juvenile Templars.
Mrs. NJ. L. ". Ste 7ens, Stroudwater.
Mrs. NJ. c. Cross nan, Bangor,
Mrs. Harriet Jones, Winthrop,
women's Christian Temp ance Union.
R. Dresser. Androscoggin.
l.. X. King, .Aroostook.
Job T. Sanford, Cumberland.
J.P. Thwine. Franklin.
J. C. Chillcot, Hancock.
r. W. Soule, Kennebec.
H. B. Eaton, Knox.
F. L. Carney, Lincoln.
]. S. Wright, Oxford.
]. S. Wheelwright, Penobscot.
c. c. Cone, Sagadahoc.
n B. Buxton. Somerset.
j. K Tsber, Waldo.
n. B. Mutt, Washington
H. H. Burbank, York.
SHE DID Nor SNoKE-The very gal