The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-07-26
THE PASSING THRONG.
A Maine Mayor Exposes the
Farce of Prohibition.
LAw-sREAklno uNcoNcEALED.
Speaker Feighan Fsvors Short Extra
session--Be VIII Eetire-Harri-
sons Land Policy.

-
Nathaniel Meader. mayor of WaterviHe. Me-.
arrived in the city yesterday over the Canadian
Pacific railroad and Ii registered at the Rainier.
Mr.. Meader has come TO spend his vacation In
Washington and look over the country with q
view 10 locating here permanently next year.
He expressed great admiration OF the oeauty OF
the city, the richness OF the country and the
mildness of the climate, which compares favor
ably with the extremes of heat and cold expe-
risnced in Maine. He says that migration from
his section is generally tending toward Wash
ington and that since information In regard 10
the Puget sound country has become generally
difrsed in New England, those who come West
rarely stop anywhere east Of the Rock noun
tains.
Mr. Meader IS not now engaged In any busl-
ness. Formerly he was q manufacturer of edge
tools, b II the superior advantages of Pennsyl
vana drove him out of business and his inter
es.s now lie in other directio s. He was mucn'
interested il learning about the steps being
taken 10 develop the iron resources of the state
ard about the erection of the steel works at
Kirkland and he said that this might prove
good field for his business.
Being asked about the sentiment in regard to
prohibition in Maine, Mr.. Mesder said: "The
prohibition law is not really enforced In the
cities and larger towns. aud the sentiment of
the psople is not in favor of prohibition 80 much
as repression. In c:lies like Bangor liquor is
sold over bars without any attempt at conceal
ment and is served at dinner in the hotels,
though the hotel bars are kept more in the back
grou d than in city where they have license.
The regular saloons, however, do business as
publicly as they do here in Seattle. In smaller
towns men hesitate, out of regard 10 public SEN
timent, ~ so into ssloon but they have their
supplies sent from outside the state and drink
at their homes. lam q Republican, but am,
- x.~d ff.s~s
and though j have been told that saloons are
running in Watervile, have taken no official
cognizence Of it. Last year the governor sent q
proclamation TO mayors of cities and others In
au horny, Calling upon them 70 enforce the
law. but it has attracted very little attention.
"what are the prospects of the repeal OF the
prohibitory clause in the constitutionT
II don't expect to see 1t in my time. 1t re-
quires a two-Ehire1 vote OF both houses OF the
legislature TO submit constitutional amend
ment. aud then it requires tw0thsrds vote OF
the people to adopt IL. When was in the legis-
lature voted against submitting prohibition,
while others voted for its submission because
they were ected on that ticket. though they
declared that. as individuals, they would vote
against il at the polls. A majority of the pres
ent legislature is in favor OF resupmission, butt
doubt whether the measure Will finally carry,
and then its success at the polls would be very
doubtful Still there is a growing feeling
against prohibition and in favor OF strict regu-
lation. and the one thing which prevents many
real advocates OF the latter system from deelar-
ing themselves, 10 the fear of being called rum
miles, Ine opinion is growing that abstinence
is not temperance, and reactioa is setting in
in favor of the moderate use of liquor.
The opinion 10 frequently expressed among
the friends of the late Governor Bodweli that he
would be still living If he had consented to use
liquor med icinslly. His private secretary told
me that his physicians recommended him to
take stimulants as q remedy for the heart failure
which had resulted from worry and overwork
incident to his Office But he was q rigid pro-
hibitionist. rejected their advice and died"
How is the lum Der business in Maine7 Is
the supply nearly exhausted?"
"No, there is not much pine land left, but
there is plenty of spruce, which is being cut
very extensively The land on which it grows
Is too poor for farming, so that a fresh crop OF
trt es is allowed to grow mp where forests have
been cleared. aud thus the supply is constantly
kept up"
Speaker J. W. Feighan, Of the House of Repre-.
sentstiyes, arrived in the city last evening from
his home at Spokane, and is at the Rainier He
viii remain in the city until Monday or Tues
day. and VIII then go to Washington City on
business, returning thence in time for the extra
session of the legislature, which begins about
August 90 Speaking of the extra session, the
speaker said:
at should not last over ten days or two weeks
st the most. don't like Governor Ferry's bill,
though should favor it as q compromise If we
could not get any better measure through.
am in favor OF the population basis of represen-
tation, otherwise such thinly populated coun-
ties as Clallam. Wahkiakum or Asotin might
have many members as King or Pierce,
which have as much population and
wealth as forty su counties
Eastern Washington does not think any
other matter than apportionment should come
up at this extra session. We should discuss the
matter for say four days, and then Try to ar
range compromise. If we fail to do that in
about ten days. we should go home and hold the
next election under the old appoftionment,
leaving the new legislature 10 wrestle with the
question. II we can't arrange satisfactory bill
in ten days, we can't do it in q month or six
weeks and this legislature has already spent
enough money"
"Wnat will be the result Of the Farmers Al
lisn e movement ii Eastern Washington
Il don't know" answered the speaker. "It is
a revival of the old grange organization, and is
strongly political in character, much like the
old Greenbaek party. 1t is strongest In Whit
man and Lincoln counties, and is there com.
po ed of about half Republicans and half DEM
counties. and the only question IL whether it
will hold together"
''Nhat are your political plans?'
81 shall retire from politics after this session,
and shall not run for the legislature again.
Some of my friends wanted me to run for con.
gress next fall but told them had been in
politics for eighteen years, and intended to de-
vote myself TO the care Of my family and my
health hereafter"
Mr.. W. w. Wiltshire, ir.. arrived in the city
yesterday from Washington City, and called on
Mr.. Henry L. Shields and with him paid visit
to the Chamber of Commerce He is registered
at the Rainier.
Mr.. Wiltshire was employed in the general land
office at Washington City until some months
ago, and since that time has been travelling
around the country. He has come TO Seattle
with the intention of entering business as a
land Office attorney and will make q speciality
of mineral claims. SIS that is the class of bust
ness he has BEEN dealing with principally In the
general land office. Mr.. wiltshire was asked his
opinion of the policy of the present administra.
ton as compared with its predecessor in the
/ management of the land Office. He replied:
sThe policy OF tho presen administration is
generally favorable 10 the settler Where set.
tier has been unable to perfect his title it has
/ given him further opportunity 10 do SO and
where he has taken up less than $50 acres il al.
/ lows him to take up an additional claim "a
/ make up that total II Is in favor OF perfectius
i unearned land grants TO railroads, and where
| they were under discussion by congress. has
suspended the granting OF pateats awaiting &C.
| ton. Mr.. Sparks policy was generally nm.
favorable TO the settler, as he was constantly on
| the watch against fraudulent en.ries."
"What do You think OF the proposal to estab-
| lsh q land COURT"
"Iti good enc. 4 grea, part OF the work OF
the commissioner is purely judicial, consis n
of the Interpretation OF tue law and 1T could be
more sat o setorily and speedily handled BIZ q
iud ciAl DO V. such q court wouli not derrire