The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1885-08-19
INDIGNATION MEETING.
Old Orchard .Citizens Pass Resoiu-
tons condemning the Action of the
SeIectmen.
(Special TO the Press. !

kOpCCldl w tllC LlCoo.l
OLD ORCHARD, Aug. 1S-A large number
OF the citizens and prominent men OF Old
Orchard gathered at the Music Hall to hold
an indignation meeting this afternoon.
About 4.25 the meeting was called to order,
and Mr.. F...G. Staples elected chairman, Mr..
John A. Larrabee clerk. Mr.. Staples then
read the following call, which had been cir
culated during the day:
''All citizens, friends and particularly the hotei
proprietors of the town of Old Orchard are here
by requested to meet the Selectmen OF the town OF
Old Orchard in Music Hall, on Tuesday, August
~ 1885, at O'Clock p. m., sharp for the purpose
OF ratifying or condemning the action of said
Seleetmen in their various official acts of the fiscal
year. Per order of Committee"
The following committee was then APP
pointed to draw up resolutions: VIM. Whit
tier, Henry Staples and Gilbert Wiley. They
submitted the following report;
While believing in proper observance of the
Sabbath, we condemn the acts of the municipal
officers OF Old Orchard as tending to not only in
lure our business, but TO hold up to the ridicule
of all other summer resorts, and is sanctioned by
neither usage nor experience; therefore
Resolved, That we the citizens of Old Orchard,
do hereby condemn the action Of the selectmen in
regard to enforcing law framed at the early date
of 1871, and not enforced by any other sumner
resort in the United States.
Resolved That we do believe the Sunday law
is only enforced by the selectmen of Old Orchard
or their agents as an arbitrary act.
Several citizens then spoke denouneing the
act of the selectmen. None of the selectmen
of Old Orchard were present, but their AGENT
Chief of Police" Lyons was there, and
when called upon spoke as follows.
l stand as a subordinate officer in this town.
The three selectmen unanimously required me to
do certain Offices; they ordered me to enforce the
Sunday law; to shut up places open on the Sab
bath and report l have done SO without fear or
favor; | have taken no step could help taking;
nave not tried to prosecute any one in particu-
lar; am glad to see you here; | think it is a
good move to come here and talk this matter
over.
One trader said the selectmen offered to
give him license to sell week days for $780,
and Sundays for $1,000 They claimed they
had right to license the storekeepers to sell
Sunday, which of course they had not, and
when they could not collect Sunday licenses
they arrested the traders for breaking the
law. The hotel proprietors denied the charge
of Mr.. Wesley G. Smith, that they instigated
or favored the shutting up of all business
places on the Sabbath.
Mr. William A. Whittier said while he had
charge of the police force, for six years,
things ran smooth. The Methodsts asked
him if arrangements couldn't be made to
have the traders, if they sold goods Sunday,
keep their Iwares inside and make no dis
play. This was done and there was no.com-
plant. This order remained for four years.
Mr. Staples of the Sea Shore made tell
ing speech, and also Mr. Whitmore of Wash
ington.
The resolutions were accepted without
dissenting voice, amid tremendous applause.