Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-09-01
SATURDAY. SEPTEMBER l. 1888
The Prohlhitionlsts.

the new party would or might figure
largely in the presidential election.
They constitute an aggressive party, as
all parties organized to effect moral OBJ
iects are. The Prohibition party stands
for what it conceiyes to be the right,
and. like the old Abolition faction OF
ante-bellum days, it denouDces the
church, or the priest. or the parson, or
the elder, or the clergyman, or any other
professor or teacher Of morals or religion
who fails to look through its specta-
eles.
Mr. CLEvEnAND's plurality in New
York State in 1884 was only l,O47. The
Prohibitionists cast %, 00l votes in that
election. II I,Ols of these %, 600 voters
had gone over TO BLAINE, he would have
been elected.
The Prohibitionists are undoubtedly
much stronger than they were four years
ago. In New York they have developed
80 much strength that the Republican
State Convention Of this week deemed
it necessary to declare for high license rs
q means Of detaching Republican voters
from the Prohibition party But the
Prohibitionists arc by no means
disposed to surrender upon such terms
On the contrary, they no doubt accept
the action Of the State Convention III
declaring for high license rs proof posi-
tive that the Republicans had been
thoroughly convinced Of the popularity
of the Prohibition movement The
New York I'oice. the national organ Of
the Prohibitionists, predicted before
hand that WARNER MILLER would be
nominated for Governor, and that a
high-licensc plank would be placed in
the platform but 1t declares that the
irohibitiouists care not going to throw
away their votes into such a political
naelstrom as this. They are going to
keep in the middle of the road and
vote for w. MARTIN JONES for Governor. "
and by way of exposing the hypocrisy
Of Pulp MILLER and his gang, the
g'oicc AYERS that amongst the delegates
from New York city to the State Con
vention that declared for high license
were at least thirty lquor-dealers
The Voice publishes a remarkable let
ter from NEAL Dow. the champion of
the Maine liquor-lsw. This Is not one Of
the old letters that have heretofore caused
so much controversy within the ranks OF
the Prohibitonists and Local-Optionists,
hut is a new letter, dated August p,
1855. at Portland, Me-, and addressed to
the I'0icc. Its statements will surprise
both the friends and the opponents Of
prohibition. Mr.. Dow says:
I'm spite Of this command Of the
Constitution and the Onth OF the mem
bers OF the Legislature to Id true and
faithful 10 it, we have been unable to
Obtain any effective measure for the sup
preston of the low grog shops which in-
fest our cities. The keepers of these
vile holes vote the Republican ticket, ex-
cept those in Lewiston and except one
only Of those in Portland. Formerly all
of these men voted the Democratic
ticket.
"These grog-shops exist in Maine only
by the special and persistent protection
Of the Republican bosses. who rule the
party in this State even more despotical-
" than Tammany Hall rules the Demo
cratic party OF the city of New York,
though the Republicans of this State by
at least three fourths OF their number
are temperance-men and prohibition
lists"
Each reader will draw his own infer
ences from that remarkable statement
remarkable, not because il incriminates
the Republicans, but because it conflicts
With the common impression that the
Maine liquor-law is enforced stringently.
We quote again:
1.-THE court officials are nominated and
elected with express reference to the
non enforcement OF the Maine law, and
by no efforts of ours, though earnest
and persistent, can wo make the least
impression upon the Republican bosses.
who control all political affairs OF the
State as absolutely as the stage-driver
controls his team. The party in Maine
is governed as contractor governs his
crew. by ring composed OF not more
than ten men. while the rank and file Of
the party have no more 10 do with any
question of policy than Barnum's bears
have to do with the tunes to which they
dance"
1.-The Republican party in Maine is far
worse on the temperance question than
it is in any other state, considering the
fact that the people. irrespective OF par
ty, are opposed 10 the grog shops by an
overwhelming majority and in favor Of
the rigid enforcement of law. But 10
the will OF the people the bosses are as
in litfereut as the Car of Russia is TO the
hardships aud dreadful wrongs OF the
wretched exiles OF Siberia"
1.-The accomplishment of this great
work-the suppression of the liquor
traific--is OF immeasurable importance
10 the prosperity of the country and the
perpetuation of its institutions. IL
not effected in the coming decade, fear
il can never be- done"
The Voice says that Mr. HABERcoRS
is at the head Of the German department
Of the National Republican Committee,
and quotes him as follows;
"1here was at first some dissa,isfac.
ton with the Boutelle resolution but as
il declares only for temperance which
the Germans never did oppose, but adj
vocste, and not for prohibition, which
they do oppose. they are not willing to
be led into q false controversy. While
we Germans advocate temperance we arc
aware that the Republican party is not a
Prohibition party, and We can therefore
consistently act with it.
Next Tuesday State election will be
held in Vermont Vermont is 1.-the star
that never sets" II viii Of course vote
the Republican ticket. In the last presi-
dental election BLAINE beat CLEVELAND
more shsa two to one, and the Prohibi-