Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-12-21
ENFORCING THE LAW.
COMMITTEE Of the Temperance Alliance
Visit the City Council.
vigorous Enforcement and On. NJ No.
Special Omeers.

Last evening the city government held .
special meeting to hear the committee of tho
Temperance Alliance recently formed in the
city by the pastors Of the churches. and cit.
liens, relative to better enforcement of tbe
prohibitory liquor law in Augusta.
After transacting some necessary business.
the aldermen and common council met in
joint convention.
hon. John l.. Stevens was the first speaker
and on arising presented the petition which
had, all told, some four hundred signature.
and read as follows:
The undersigned. legal voters in Augusta.
hereby petition YOU to enfore the law against
tue sale of Intoxicating drinks with vigor and
lmpartlallty the same as any other law, and
ior TINS purpose to appoint such additional
ponce force az in your judgment NAV be nee
essary. In this important work for the pub
Tic welfare we pledge to you our earnest CO.
operation and support
He then proceeded to present the wants of
the petitioners and his views regarding the
enforcement of the Law. in a clear and forci-
Bile manner. We come here not to dictate,
but asking protection against the monster
evil OF strong drink from which our city is
suffering. In the name and in behalf of the
law we come and ask its enforcement, offer
ing our sympathy and support. This is the
peoples law m de after many years of ex-
perience and deliberatiou; to ignore 1t is to
spurn the people and revolt against the gov.
eminent. Under our form of government
the official of q town or city have no option
in the matter but must enforce the law and
believe that you share the wishes of the pc
titioners that the law shall be impartially en-
forced. This petition is signed by all partie.
and it bears such names as Judge Samuel
Titcomb, Russell Eaton, Oscar Holway, L.
B. Fowler, Elisha Atkins, w. S. Badger,
Ira ID. Sturgis, s. 5. Brooks, DIR. Wilder, E.
c. Burleigh, Elias Milliken, B. F. Parrot,
J. II. Maniey, James E. Fuller, J. w.
North, o. d. Baker, Alden Sprague, C. II.
Mason, Ira Randall and others.
The editors of five newspapers have signed
twenty years ago the alternative of becom-
ing flourishing manufacturing city or re-
naming at a standstil, was presented to you.
You chose the former and today we hear the
han Of 10000 spindies at the dam and the
electric spark guides the hand of the weaver
| at the loom. Have not our citizens the reso
luton now to close up few miserable run
holes?
| Rev. Mr.. Skeele was somewhat puzzled to
know why they had come together when The
statutes of the State expressly stated that il
was the duty of the city officers to enforce
the law. He did not bring any charge against
the city government. As he understood il
this movement was to arouse public senti'
ment and show The officers that they were
upheld uy the people.
Rev. Mr.. White thought that the commit
tee were there in response to long feit neec
on the part of those who had the enforcing OF
the law in their hands. They asked that the
law against the sale of intoxit ating liquors
be enforced the same as any other law and
that the rumselers be hunted down. lie
knew there were many places 10 the city
where rum was sold and believed the evi
could be stamped out. The petitioners were
with the officers in this matter.
Rev. Mr.. Palmer would like to have al
those concerned in enforcing the law fee
their responsibility aud hoped that the people
would be grateful to the police for theil
efforts in maintaining law and order He
| 4 al bnta
a settled thing, and believed in protecting
the weaker classes lest they become danger
Gus classes.
Rev Mr.. White favored the appointment
enforcement of the law.
Mr.. g. B. Files--I trust that those en-
gagged in enfor cling the hduor law will fee
that they have the support of our best mel
taken will result in putting an end to the
traffic in liquor in Augusta.
Mr.. Elisha Atkins stated that he wa
strongly in sympathy with the movement
MIR. A. S. Bangs was also IN sympathy will
the effort being made to enforce the law ant
did not think there was any apology needed
from anyone.
Mr.. z. q. Doliver was heartily in ACCORD
with the action being taken.
Mr.. Stevens in circulating the petition ha'
found the occasion very suspicious one TO
the movement.
The joint convention then dissolved AM
an order was given passage directng tn
city marshal TO make more vigorous en-
forcement of the liquor law and that he ap
point one or more special officers for tn
purpose.
Hard On Our Young Democrats.
Morton is said to be the only really smar
youpg democrat in Augusts.-Bdth Times.