Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-08-31
Condensed History OF PTusabltory Legis.
lation In This State.

Inquiries are frequently made under
what circumstances and by whom the
frat Prohibitory liquor law in Maine was
be repeated. The first Prohibitory law
was passed in 1851, in response to
numerous petitions from the friends of
Temperance in all sections of the State.
1t was not discussed nor adopted as a
partisan measure. The Democrats were
in majority of both branches of the
Legislature that year, but the Prohibitory
bill was voted for by minority OF the
Democratic members, three-fourths OF
the Wings, and by the four or five Free
Sellers, then in the Legislature. This
Democratic minority, the three fourths OF
the Wings, and the few Free Sellers con-
stituted the Legislative majority which
passed the first Prohibitory bill. Gov
ernor John Hubbard, a Democrat, belong
ing to the wing of his party which had
most favored the bill, signed it, though ne
frankly said he doubted the wisdom and
success of the measure. Did the Demo-
cratic party quietly acquiesce in the
enactment of the law? Not at all. 4
powerful opposition to it was speedily
organized among the Democrats. new
Democratic candidate was brought into
the field. and Governor Hubbard was pun
ished for his conduct by defeat, though
the Temperance Democrats, Temperance
Wings, and Temperance Free Sellers
came earnestly TO his support. In 1858
Arson z. Morrill,, a strong supporter OF
Prohibition. as a boiling candidate, now
his party had come entirely under the
control of anti-prohibitory influences.
lead ii 600 voters from the Democratic
ranks. In 1854 nearly all of those
men who had favored the pas
sage of the prohibitory law in
1851, united in supporting Arson 2. Nor
rill for Governor, forming the Republican
party, electing him by the Legislature,
January 1855, fully completing the organi-
zation of the party in February follow
ing, putting into ats platform strong pro-
hibitory plank. Some amendments to the
law were made in 1853 and in 1855, those
of the latter year being quite stringent.
In 1885 the Democratic party pushed
vigorous and bitter campaign against the
Republicans, chiefly on the liquor issue,
aided by the Straight Wings, that rem
nant of The Wing party which had OPP
he .Nft ha hill
in 1851 and was adverse to the formation
of the Republican in 1854 and 1855. The
Democrats and the Straight Wing allies
carried the State in the September election
of 1855 and in the winter of 1856 repealed
the Prohibitory law of 1851 as amended
in 1858 and 1850, and in its place enacted
license law. This law approved by the
Democratic Governor, Samuel Wells. re-
manned on the statute book two years.
In 1858 the Republicans having regained
political control of the State, re-enacted
the Prohibitory law, which, with its va
rious amendments made from time to
time by Republican Legislatures, has re-
manned on the statute books to the pres
ent time. In 1888, the Legislature, strong
ly Republican, passed and submitted to
the people Prohibitory amendment to
the Constitution, which was adopted by a
large majority September 1884. One of
the strong reasons for the adoption of the
Constitutional amendment was that the
question of Temperance might be removed
as much as possible from the area of par
tisan politics, where it had been forced by
the hostile course of the Democratic par
ty in 1853, 1854, 1885 and 1856. The data
which we have thus given as to Prohibitory
legislation in this State are good indications
to all Temperance people at home and
abroad as to who have been its supporters
during a period of nearly forty years.