The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-04-14
PROHIBITION IN MAINE.
Sentiment Turning Against II in Neal
Dow's own State.


PouTL.gp, Ne, April i3.-lt j. predicted
by those who have studied the growing sen
timenis In Maine against prohibition that
this State will have high license law within
three ycars. aud that the pioneer prohibit
tory State" will withdraw the stringent re-
s,rictions OF the liquor traffic which have
made Il famous The recent defeat Of Gen.
Neal Dow, the father Of prohibition" In
his race for the mayonliy Of Portland Il
pointed to as very significant dcmonsira-
ton that the people ac sick aud tired u
prohibition. when the most prominent
temperance advocate In the world b NJ the
head 81 both the Democratic aud Prohibition
regular tickets, not only fails Of election In
his own city, hut his nomination has the cf-
feet Of piling up a majority for the candidate
rcprrscnting free rum and non.cuforccmcnt
Of the law, double that which he ever re-
ccivcd before, there u good ground Tor the
high license prediction.
The movement ngninst the liquor Law has
recently taken definite shape, aud q strong
combination has been formed Of those inter
oatcd In repeating the present statutes. For
some months the hotel prOpriCtoIs and res
taurant keepers have been organizing secret
ly 30 act ~ cooperation with the liquor
dealers. Besides this a remarkable out
growth of the opposition 20 the liquor law
has inst come TO the surface Nv the shape 81
a personal liberty society unlike the social
organizations of those who carry on the for
hidden trsnlc the members Of this society
are prominent business aud professional
men, and among fhc number are several
clcrgymen. While this society, o. matter
of principle, aud not Of individual Interest,
aims nj an laws which restrict on personal
/ IEi...t.r a. at.satu1 Iuranl l. fla liunNF Law.
This society will exert n powerful influence
Ia favor Of high license, which could
not be brought 10 bear by liquor dealers,
and u u iuclf menace 10 the famous
Maine law" growing weakness In the
ranks of the PrOhibitionists also threatens n
revolt among the farmers, The last Icgis.
laturc accomplished the feat Of making
sweet cider an intoxicating liquor and plac'
ING Il upon the same level ns whisky or
brandy. Every penalty that attaches 10 a
professional rum seller u made 20 apply 10
Inc honest farmer who sells or gives away a
| glass Of sweet apple Juice ~ u drops from
| III cider press. Even " he stores bis cider
| for future sale o. vinegar, he n liable ~ a
| llquor dealer. and by this last achievement
OF the Prohibliionists Of Maine the great
| orchards Of Maine are wortc than valuelcss
n they are n temptation 10 violate the law.
| AZ last the granger element when has al
Tsvs bccn strong In support u prohibition.
ha. aroused itself and threatens 10 mako
| alliance with the rum sellers 10 repeal "the
| law"
The Void correspondent made tour Of
the state and found that 70 far o. the citlc.
arc concerned the law i openly and most
aagranily disregarded. Liquor was procured
Without difnculty IN Portland, Augusta
Hanger, Bath, Lewiston, Brunswick and
elsewhere. In Portland the correspondent
In some form or other. and he estimates
that there are 2. 800 open bars In the htaie
The national government tissues some ~
licenses 10 Maine liquor sellers, though th'
grccier number pursue the Illegal traii'
without them.