The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1888-01-18

on the legal aspect of the topic were made
by Mrs. Stevens.
The next topic, Departments Of work Of
the Womans' Christian Temperance Union,
was presented by Mrs. George =: Hunt,
Mrs. Hunt spoke OF the National w. Q. L.
u, and its great work for the good among
all classes. The many branches and depart
ments of the W. G. Il. U. were referred to-,
Mrs. Stevens spoke at considerable length
concerning the soldiers at Togus and their
use of strong drink.
The next topic, DETERMINATION of the sa-
loon in politics, abolition of the traffic in
opium and intoxicating drinks" was pre-
sented by Mrs. Stevens. She said: "Ihe
prohibitory law can be enforced In this city
II the Mayor only says the word. No law
says the officer shall enforce the liquor law
provided public sentiment Is In favor OF 1t.
1t is not public sentiment that hinders the
enforcement of the law, 1t is the political
sentiment"
above all in our own community, and what
Is going 0n.about us. Mr.. Bayley's sermon
seems to me to be a very kindly and modest
one, and in all its leading points true;, l
don't see how any impartial Judge can call 1t
a. political sermon. III venture TO say tnat
there have been on Commercial street fiom
20 to 90 saloons where liquor has been sold.
Within stones throw Of my house Is an
open dram shop. The open bars at our
hotels are the greatest source OF temptation
to our young men. / agree with Mr.. Bayley
that it Is the duty of the Christian people to
arouse public sentiment against them. The
liquor element who vote for the city ofiicials
whose duty IL Is to enforce the law nave an
understanding with them the police are con-
siderately blind. Sooner or later we must
meet this issue as Christians and as churches
What we want is the enforcement Of the law
and a man that will enforce the law"
Rev. A. K. p. Small said: II hope you all
read my sermon last Sunday which l
preached up at State street church. Mr.:
speak better than l could, but rose and
said amen. Now the question Is. can the
aw be enforced? If the city officers would
do what three ministers have done In the
last three weeks law need not be thought
Of"
Rev. Mr.. Wrighc said: "There has not
been vigorous effort in the past year to en-
force the liquor law. l will see to 1t that, SO
far as it is in my power, we shall have man
to enforce the law"
Rev. DR.. Whitaker said he agreed with
the remarks of DIR. Dalton, and spoke to
some length Of the fight for prohibition In
Rhode Island.
The next topic, "Better temperance in
struction in the schools; education OF the lg-
norant." was discussed by Mrs. Humphrey,
who spoke of the first efforts Of the w. q.
L. U. in this city.
Rev. Mr. Whitaker spoke to considerable
length on the Blair bill and the defeat OF the
pr0hibit0ry movement in the city OF Atlanta.
DR.. Crandall spoke of the better temper
ance education in our schools, arguing that
childhood was the time to begin the teaching
of temperance
The Union voted unanimously to endorse
the actien Of Rev. Mr.. Bayley also to extend
vote of thanks to the people OF the First
Baptist church for kindly opening their
church.
A vote Of thanks was then extended to the
speakers and to those present by Mrs. Ste
vens, in behalf Of the w. @. L. U. of Maine,
and by Mis-. Hunt in behalf of the w. G. T.
u of Portland. After music. benediction
was pronounced by Rev. Mr.. Whitaker, af-
ter which the meeting adjourned.
At different times during the day, nearly
all the pastors of the different churches
sion several hundred persons were in attend
ance.