Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1890-11-14
PROHIBITION in MAINE.
How the Bankers Regard tho Law ns
Affecting Business Interests.

John G.. Brooks, President Belfast Ma
tion Bank. Belfast, Me-: prohibition of
the liquor traffic is not detrimental to
the business interests of our city. There
is still liquor sold in this city, but the
prohibitory law has made the bar-room
less reputable than it was formerly, and
many Il young man has been restrained
from drinking Intoxicating liquors there
by. The partial suppression of the sale
of liquors has caused the saving of much
! money for legitimate business that would
otherwise have gone to the saloons. Our
people TODAY dress better. have more of
the comforts of life, and have better
homes than before the passage of the
law. More business is now done than
, there was ten or twenty years ago. The
deposits in our banks have increased ev-
cry year for the past ten years, showing
that the people have more money to use
for business purposes. In fine, the law
has had Il tendency to improve business
rather than depress it,"
FROM THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF
BATH.
Galen c. Moses, President First Ma
tional Bank, Bath. Me-: 81 have your
request for my opinion as to the effect
of prohibition of the liquor traffic upon
business. do not believe any candid,
fair business man in Maine will contend
that prohibition affects business unfa-
vorably or in any way, except that when
enforced its effect is excellent upon
every industry where men are employed.
As a manufacturer feel the evil effects
of the rum traffic every day, and even
with the law we find ourselves unable to
control it. The law is practically dead
letter in our cities and manufacturing
places. In the country it is fairly we'll
enforced. Constitutional Prohibition is
a farce without laws passed in pursuance
thereof are enforced, and they can only
be enforced when public opinion strongly
sustainS the law. In our State we have
learned that where the disposition of the
controlling party is to use the law for
political purposes we get no enforce
ment"
HOW TT is IN AUBURN.
j. Dingley. DR.. President First Ma
tiOnal Bank: "You wish to know the
effect that prohibition has in our city.
Will say its effect has been to keep our
people sober and industrious, to give
them homes. to feed and clothe their
children. to make them better citizens,
and to help build up our industries,
| which has been done. that would not if
liquor had been sold with us. We boast
OF having city that does not sell intoXi-
cants of any kind: business is first
class.
BUSINESS GOOD IN BANGOR.
Edward II. Blake. President Mer-
chants National Bank. Bangor Me-:
"Your letter of inquiry at hand. Con-
corning, the effect of the prohibitory law
upon the prosperity of the State YOU
may obtain fuller information from those
who are in possession of more facts than
myself. Regarding our city, | am happy
to say that business is in Il good condi-
tion."
THE LAW A GRAND SUCCESS.
10. Ii. Banks. President of First Ma
tional Bank. Biddeford, Me-: "rhe law
on the whole has been a grand success
Tor our State. and no party or set of men
would think OF its repeal with any hone
of success
FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE NEW CA sTLE
BANK.
Thomas c. Kennedy, President New
Castle National Bank, New Castle. Me-:
SHORE than ninc-tenths of the business
men of the county fully believe that pro-
hibition OF the liquor traffic in this State
is decidedly great benefit to the bust
ness interests of the State. And thew
also believe that Prohibition is here to
stay"
A RAILROAD PRESIDENTS VIEWS
John Aver, President Somerset Rail-
way, Oakland, Me-: "In my opinion the
prohibitory liquor law has done great
good in this State. The general business
depression is affected favorably by the
Prohibitory law and made less than it
would be but for the law
FROM A MAINE SHERIFF.
c. r McFadden, ex-Sheriff Kennebec
County, Waterville, Me-: ITO assert that
Prohibition has decreased the wealth of
Maine, is like declaring that the suppress.
sion of the Louisiana Lottery would i'm
poverish the United States"
An Utter Failure.