The Meeker herald., 1888-03-31

for by Republicans, Democrats ana
Greenbackers alike, II not being con
sidered u party question. By It's adop'
tion, IT was understood that prohibition
was divorced from partisan politics.
During the many years the Maine law
has existed II has been repeatedly
strengthened and intensified In its pro-
visions by the most sump.unry ieslsla-
ton; the spy system has been In vogue.
and special officers have been appointed
whose whole duty was TO execute the
law aud close up the grog shops.
Whether the law has been enforced as
II should have been, there is diiler-
enee OF opinion, but there are but few
who deny that II has not been IN Well
enforced ~ the laws prohibiting muir
der, arson, burglary, or any other crime.
sun, at the same time. liquor selling
has gone on, either secretly or openly,
in iiagrant defiance OF law, Just as much
as tho Killing Of human lrings, the
burning Of buildings, or robbery, or
theft. In ali the cities, whisky, gin,
brandy and beer can be easily and
readily obtained by Thirsty morials.
Much OF IL Is sold openly. over regular
bars, jus, the same as in Boston or New
York, bu, more is sold on the sly. some
bar,cndcrs carry their entire stock IN
one OF their pockets, and when their
customers ask for a drink they whip ont
a bottle or flask. ani prnIucc n glass
and pitcher OF water handy by them.
Onc unfamiliar with the workings VI
til. prohibl,ory law d-c.iy.s himself
when he aillrms that there IL no liquor
selling In Maine, OF attempts 10 escape
on the plea that. II there Is, l; is con-
fined to secret places. These persons
~. not cosnixant, of their own personal
knowledge. OF what they stat. as y fact
but tii.. ,helf evidence from somebody
cls-. just as ignorant Ui III. true nllua'
ton "a, themselves. OT who. for obvious
reasons. mi.r-pT-scnts the fac,s, The
Illicit traiiic, Ia those who pretend TO
know from personal investigation. pre-
walls 10 an .Xi-u; iliaI s,-rms scarcely
possible. aui even la places wh.r, tile
law - supposed 10 H. vigorously cn.
forced. There are eleven liquor i'm
iuT,-rs In the State Nhu have been DO.
ing big business foT years, aud have
never been troubled. One OF ih-m has
t"-n engaged Ia trade during Ia, entire
.Nisirncr of the elaine law, ani hnr
never 80, lccn nolcs;ci. u0;withsiaui.
In. tia, lie aiVcEilsrt his spurious
.oo.l, la tho local paI-n, every time hr
receives u fresh importation. This very
,lay he has stock. II IL said. ol sJ1.,uL
worth oI wines and liquors ou hand,
The uriy liquor impuIi-g Who las ever
t-.n ,soublcl IL one ia Augusta, and
tile r-aspn. lac alleges, 'hA, Lila hun,n"ss
| ~ss ,u,-tf-t-.i With ~ bccauhr Of hii
Democratic politics.
In I,nsof. u Is u notorious fact tia
tho inv IL rally u nuili,y. aud that III,
liquor traffic there II practically IT,
c-ns-j. In many places. either ON ac'
count u ruillc rcu,imtnt or for rUliii'
cal purposes. the sale ui in;"NicaniS i'
permitted Ia - uii, and there seems Ia
L. as much drinking M there was In
those ".uci old times" when YVES,
India rum was sold on tap without ~.
sitictinu.
The failure q: prohibition in Maine To-
prohibit. after THIRTY. four yrHrs Of trial.
has led to starting ;h- hostile move
meat previously Fri-u-,i in. Il has its
origin In Waldo county, and means. uu-
iouhi.iily the formation .. u license
Law riTty. ThUsc interested In the
movement dtlau ihht "ihc present prn.
hibii0Ty Law Is wong Aud imprar,icahlc
In principle. suhyctsiyc OF the personal
liberty Of the citizen. aud cannot b. .n.
forced without resort Ia extreme. ltb!-
ttaiy methods. rcrugnant Ia the scUii.
meat # intelligent communities AMI In
violation of some Of the most important
provisions -: the constitution Their.
Is cy.Ty Indication that this voices III"
sentiment Of u large aud respectable
number OF voters IN beth the Repuhli.
can pni Democratic parties. but
whether they can BE- induced to sever
their pDlitical ties and rally under the
banner OF license. iiu matter how well
they may think it will work, requires
developments vet to h. made. II tie
present movement does no, collapse. A
prominent Republican. who IA n close
observer. recently remarked: Its my
candid belief that within five years
Maine will change front and he q license
State. am satisfied that high license.
with proper safeguards. will do NOR. 10
promote the cause of temperance than
prohibition"