The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1890-06-24
Tux SYRACUSE Journal.
SNELrrSK. y. Y. June u. $50
THE GREAT ISSUE IN MAINE
Shall Local Option he Substituted for the
Impotent Prohibition Lawf

BANGOR, Juno 29.-Democratic politics in
Maine are in rather mixed condition Just
now. and the air is full OF tho schemes OF rival
factions and speculation rs to how matters
will finally turn out All the trouble has re-
suited from the death. week ago. Of the
party's candidate for Governor, the Hon. Fran
els W. Hill. who was 4 strong man. and would
have made "a good showing against eX-Gov.
Buregh next fall, A call has been issued by
the State Committee for tho reassombling OF
tho original Convention on July . in Augusta,
for tho purpose OF nominating a new candi-
date but 1t is doubtful II all Of the delegates
will consent to attend and be again ignored In
the construction OF the platform. as they were
by the timid majority on the 4th Of June.
The greatest issue before the people OF Maine
to-day is whether the present costly, impotent,
and generally absurd liquor law shall be al
lowed to remain on tho statute books, or a
local option license law be substituted. 1t is
greatly to the advantage OF the oflceholders Of
the dominant party that prohibition should re-
main undlsturbed. 1t is enc Of their trump
cards in all elections and in the frying out"
OF fat and SO strongly intrenched arc the
Republicans in their hypocritical position that
those Democrats who believe in eXpediency
rather than principle are afraid to attack them
openly on the question preferring to go on in
the hopeless attempt 10 elecC a TICKET upon
some other or general issues. This is the stu
alton us it stands to-day, ami it is the deter
mined and consistent opposition TO the present
that caused iii feeling at the first, Convention
and is likely to make lots OF trouble yet.
1t would have been far better for the regular
Democratic nominee this year and for the
party in general II the June convention had
shown a little moro spunk and Inserted u
license plank in the platform. for now peti ions
are being circulated all over the state asking
that u convention be called for July 10, at
Bangor for the purpose OF nominatlng n can
ddate for Governor upon u platform contain
ing but "a single plank. the substitution Of
local option for prohibition. This petition is
being nnmerousIy signed by Democrats with
looks as though the convention, will be
Plaisted. who has been Governor before.
and who is a son-in-law Of the iate
Mr.. Hill, NAV be nominated, while ut
the anti-Prohibition Convention in case
1t is held the Hon. j. ?. Bass OF Bangor may
be selected, as his paper; the to""ierc'0t
first started the license ball a-rolling and has
been pushing it vigorously ever since. Nlr
BASS hAs been Mayor OF Bangor is IL wealthy
and energetic business man. and would make
first-rate Governor In all respects. pr. l.add,
who ably represented the Fourth district IN
Congress for two terms. while agreeing with
the opponents Of prohibition. IL out OF politics.
All in all. 1t begins to look as though tho
loag-awaited assault upon the prohibition
stronghold was about to begin, and while tho
assailants don't expect TO ACCOMPLISH any
thing tangible this year they do look Tor en-
couragement to further Efforts.