The Portland daily press., 1888-01-19
ElxIng the Responsibility. =.

To the Editor Of the Press.
A notable sermon followed by a notable all
day temperance convention under the aus
pices of the Woman's Christian Temperance
Union in Portland promises to awaken our
citizens to lively appreciation Of the enor-
nifty Of the liquor traffic in our midst which
while almost nothing when compared with
cities of equal size in non-prohibition States,
fills every lover Of humanity and civil law
with sincere regret and demands more
rigid enforcement of our prohibitory laws.
Portland has population Of about 10000
inhabitants. has large and safe harbor in
which may be found vessels of almost every
nationality and is very important railroad
center with direct communication with
Canada and the other States of the Union.
1t has commercial relations with all parts Of
the world.
Dealing with so many nationalities, among
whom are many transitory visitors with
drinking habits, who often secretly bring
into our midst intoxicants; and who through
the efficiency of our patrol system are gen
orally arrested, the number Of arrests for
drunkenness is not surprising, neither in
view of the great profits realized in liquor
selling, the passion for strong drink in In
ebriates and the spirit of lawlessness which
is always developed in the vender of intox-
icants, that there are about 80 places where
intoxicants can be purchased surreptitiOusly
besides at some Of the druggists or apothe-
cary stores where liquors are sold by men
dishonoring their profession.
| We freely challenge any city Of equal size
IN any non-prohibition State to show as
good record or so few OF the children and
| youth growing up to manhood intemperate.
The general thrift, cleanliness and safety
/ Of the city speak volumes in commendatiOn
| Of our municipal authorities and business
men, the salutary influence OF our numerous
| churches, and of our various charitable and
| moral Institutions.
Portland citizens can point with pride to
the acknowledged ability. sterling integrity,
and tireless labors of our chief executive,
| Mayor Chapman, in all that tends to advance
their municipal interests.
Both the sermon referred to and the con-
vention bring into prominence a topic al
| ways vital to the interests of the city. B' IL
are free from political bias, the statements
| of the preacher are such as careful, con-
scientious and painstaklng lover of Chrisi
and humanity would make after giving all
the time possible to investigating the matter
which the pressing duties of large parisl
would warrant. He had no desire to injur'
the reputation of any man or class of men
but aimed to arouse public attention TO wha
he conceived was growing evil, lalthougl
| many others do not agree with HIM, an'
succeeded in doing it.
The w. c. L. u. had a similar object. Tn
Union is composed of many of the pObles
and most intelligent ladies of the city, am
under the direction Of those who are lover
Of home, of purity, and of humanity
The only criticism we desire to make re
specting either the sermon or convention,
the unaccountable censure Ct the wronl
parties for the continuation OF Illicit liquO
| traffic in this city.
One hearing the sermon, or attending tn
convention, would carry away the uninteT
tiOnal impression that the Mayor or the chic
marshal and his police force were unfaithft
in their duties respecting the liquor traffic.
This is unjust to both Mayor and Chic
Marshal who are men of Christian integrit
and we know from personal acquaintanc
that large proportion OF their police fore
are honest, upright and efficient men. Mor'
over this police force is very small, and bus
ly engaged with all the multitudiuous de
mands Of a city of 10000 inhabitants.
Let justice be paid, give honor to wh9i
, honor is due About twenty years ago IN
, State saw fit to take the seizure OF lntox
cants and their illegal vendors from local au
thorities and place IL in the bands OF spe'
ial force supported by the state, local polio
to aid when required by said special fore
! which was entitled ''Liquor Sherifs."
} The Chief Marshal on assuming his 0ffiC
in this city as instructed by the Mayor not
fed the liquor sheriffs of this county Qnclu'
, ing Portland and sixteen towns adjoining {
: the readiness Of his police force to assist q
J far as in their power, and has willingly don
so. The liquor sheriffs of this city nov
number three, and may be increased TO
many as are needed to close all the place
. where intoxicants are sold for beverage.
: For this one purpose they were create,
for this they draw their salary, and viii
having their headquarters at the CITY Bull
ing are in no way connected with the pOh'
department.
Not the Mayor, not his municipal assoc
ates nor the police, but the State liqu
sheriffs are responsible for the Illicit liqu
selling of Portland.
REV. N. L. WHIrAKER.