The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1888-05-29
--- - .
PROHIBITION IN MAINE.
Discovery of West Virginia Editor n
Tour of Investigation.

PORTLAND, Ne, May 23.-The agitation in
West Virginia over proposed prOhibtory amend
ment In that state has led several perons 10 write 10
prominent temperance men in Maine asking for an
exact statement Gs to the practical working of the
liquor law here great many replies have been
sent, detailing the excellent effect OF the constitu-
tional amendment, telling in glowing terms how
rum has mt last been banshed from the pioneer pro-
hibiton state, and saying that not glass of liquor
is now TO he had for love or money. The letters
were read in public ut several Temperance meetings
in West Virginia, and had Il marked effect until q
New York paper reached there some weeks ago
with M accurate and crcumsantia account Of the
discoveries of n correspondent who twas sent
through Maine TO find out exactly how the liquor
law works This ast0ni hing revelation of open
bars, free rum ard unrestricted liquor traffic in
duced Charles Hurdete Hart, editor ofthe Wheeling
IntelRcncer TO come TO Maine on tour of iGyesti-
CATION for himself
Mr. Hart arrived here with the belief that the pa
per must be mistaken, bat before he had been in
town twenty four hours he concluded that the cor
respondent had made truthful and unbiased re-
port. Mrs Hart, who accompanied her husband
was enthusiastic in her support Of the prohibitory
law, hasing her belief on the letters she had read
Mr.. and Mrs Hart reached here one Saturday night
and remained Sunday at a lirst-class hotel At
dinner, to their profound establishment n guest
seated opposite them ord red bottle of Wine and
the waiter, in matter-oi-iact way, drew the cork
and filed the glass. Still thinking that an excep-
ton to the law had been witnessed, Editor Hart
started out the next morning for stroll about town.
In two hours lie returned and told his wife that he
had visited over forty saloons where liquor sold
openly by the glnss. Thoroughly surprise d ut whet
had been discovered the Virginia editor determined
TO probe the matter to the bottom, and took his de-
parture with his wife for Augusta.
The first thing Mr. Hart did on arriving in Au-
gusa was to 90 to the state library in the capitol
with the expectation that it was well-stoeked With
prohibition literature. To his further aslonish-
ment II search from floor to ceiling failed to I'M
earth n single volume, treating OF prohibition or
dealing with tie forbidden traffic in any way. In
tour al ont town, he found without much difficult
ty, some practical illustrations of the workings OF
the prohibition law. lie had been Informed that
it possible for the weary traveller to slnke his
thirst, and II large number of saloons were visited
and liquor purchased in nearly every one. At one
part oil Water street In length OF about -four bun
drod yards, he found nine bars where LIQUOR wat
sold, and purchased liquor himself or saw it bough
Mt every one of them. lie visited twenty shops
where liquor was sold openly during the two DAYS
he WAS III Augusta and as ertained that upward of
thirty special licenses had been taken out by Angus
nm this was not all. lie called upon one Of the
leading citizens, n pronounced temperance man.
and asked him II he was aware OF the extent OF the
liquor traffic in the city, and that rum was being
sold openly on the street. The Au us,a gentleman
professcd anazenent and said the authorities
would not allow il. The West Vim innn, in his
Turn, was surprs d. and informed The citizen of
what lac had seen with his own eyes
Editor Hart continued his travels to Bangor
where The condition of affairs even worse than
Portland and Augusta. The hotel he stopped nj
was equiv ped with first class harroom aud quests
had only 10 press an electric button ana the lbuy
promptly served the best brands of liquors and
vines which money could buy. Here again. Il for
mid0hle array OF open rum sh. ps was discovered
and liquor flowed freely every hand Mr. Hart
also visited other cities III the state aud in ncaIlyGll
found the same condition of Affairs in the oti :
lie leaves the state With lateriug opinion OF tie
efficacy OF nohlblory amendments, Hud Is at loss
TO account for such condition OF affairs IN the ban
ner prohibition state.