The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-05-22
PROHIBITION A FAILURE.
WEST VIRGINIA WANTS TO KNOW
HOW 1T WORKS IN MAINE.
Replies Telling How Rum Has Been
Banished Beyond tho Borders OF
the Northeast State Prove to Be
False.


prohibitory amendment in that State
has led several persons to write to
prominent temperance men in Maine,
asking for an exact stat ,ment as to
the practical workings Of the liquor law
here. A great many replies have been
sent detailing the excellent effect OF the
constitutional amendment, telling in glow
ing terms how rum has at last been ban
ished from the pioneer prohibition State,
and saying that not glass OF liquor is now
TO be had for love or money. The letters
were read In public at several temperance
meetings in Western Virginia, and had a
marked effect until New York paper
reached there some weeks ago with an ac-
curate and circumstantial account Of the
discoveries Of correspondent who was
sent through Maine to find out exactly
how the liquor law works. This astonish-
ing revelation OF open bars, free rum and
unrestricted liquor traffic induced Charles
Burdette Hart, editor OF the Wheeling IN
teiiigencer, 10 come TO Maine on a tour Of
investigation for himself.
that the paper must be mistaken, but be-
fore he had been in town twenty-four
hours he concluded that the correspondent
had made truthful and unbiased report
Mrs Hart, who accompanied her husband,
was enthusiastic In her support Of the pro-
hibtory law, basing her belief on the let
tiers she had read. Mr.. and Mrs. Hart
reached here one Saturday night and re-
manned over Sunday at iirst-class hotel.
AT dinner, to their profound astonishment,
a guest that sat opposite them ordered
bottle OF wine, and the waiter, In a matter
OF fact way, drew the cork and filled the
glass. Still thinking that an exception TO
the law had been witnessed, Editor Hart
started out the next morning for stroll
about town. In two hours he returned
and told his wife that he had visited over
forty saloons where liquor was sold openly
by the glass Thoroughly surprised ut what
had been discovered, the Virginia editor
determined 10 thoroughly probe the mat
ter TO the bottom, and took his departure
with his wife for Augusta.
The first thing Mr.. Hart did on arriving
in Augusta was to 90 TO the State library
in the capitol with the expectation that Il
was well stocked with prohibition litera.
ture. To his further astonishment, q
search from floor TO ceiling failed to un.
earth single volume treating OF prohibi
ton. or dealing with the forbidden traffic
In any way In q tour about town he
found, without much difficulty, some prac.
teal illustrations OF the workings OF the
prohibition law. lie had been Informed
that there were several places in Augusta
where IL was possible for the weary travel
or 10 slake his thirst. and largo number
OF saloons was visited and liquor purchased
In nearly every one. Atone part Of Water
street, m length Of about 400 yards, he
found nine bans where liquor was sold, and
purchased liquor himself, or saw II bought,
at every one Of them. lie visited twenty
shops where liquor was sold openly during
the two days he was in Augusta, and
ascertaincd that upward Of thirty
special liocInSs had been taken Out
by Augusta dealers. But this was
not all. lie called upon one OF the lead
| ing citizcns, pronounced temperance
man, and asked him II hc was aware Of
the extent Of the liquor traffic in the city,
and that rum was being sold openly on the
street. The Augusta gentleman proicsscd
amazement, and said the authorities would
not allow Il. The West Nirginian in hil
turn WIS surprised, and informed the citi
zen Of what he had seen with his owl
eyes.
Editor Hart continued his travels 4
Bangor, where the condition Of affair
was even worse than In Portland ant
Augusta. The hotel he stopped at wa
equipped with flrst-clas bar-room, am
guests had only TO press an electric butto
and the bell boy promptly served the hes
brands OF liquors and wines which none
could buy. Herr again, formidable ~
ray Of open rum shops was discovered, an
liquor flowed freely ON every hand. MI
Hart also visited other cities In the State
and in nearly all found the same conditio
OF affairs rs in the others lie leaves IN
State with no natiering opinion Of III
efficacy Of prohibitory amendments, and
ut loss 10 account for such condition {
affairs in the banner prohibition state.