The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1891-06-05
CAMPAIGNERS AGAINST PROHIBITION.
The Hotel Men at WatervIIIe Make a
Declaration OF war.
Party Affiliations Must Give Way to
the Contest for Rum.
Increased Board Will Not Be Asked to
Cover Liquor Losses.
Especial TO the Press. ]

WATERvILLE, June 4.-The city has been
very lively today, the occasion being the an
nual convention of the Maine Hotel Proprie-
tors Association. Many of the members OF
the association came last evening, but the
majority arrived this forenoon. They came
from all over the Pine Tree State, and came
in large numbers. Much interest had been
manifested as to what action the association
would take in regard to the liquor laws, and
1t was probably this question that called
forth such a large assemblage Of hotel keep
ers as was assembled in the new Thayer
building this afternoon, where was held the
convention. President H. A. Brick of Lew
iston called the meeting to order at 80
O'Clock, and after a short address by him the
business OF the convention was taken up.
The following officers were elected to serve
the association the coming year:
President Wilson Grinnel, Searsport House,
SearspoTt.
Secretary and Treasurer-W. II. Mcdonald,
Pennington.
Vice Observation-Disclosures Harry t.
Murch, Exchange hotel, Lewiston; Aroostook, +,
j. r. Kimbali, Smell House, Hilton; Cumberland,
Fred A. Seavy, Dnrant House, Portland; Frank
lin, Samuel Turner, Barden House, Phillips; Han
cock. A. j. Gardiner American HOnse, Ellsworth: I:
Kennebec. @. W. Berry. Hotel North. Augusta !;
Knox, IL; E. Capen, Bay View House, Camden I;
Lincoln, W. G. Hubbard, Hilton House, Wlscas-
Paris; Penobscot f. w. Durgin, Bangor Ex-
change, Bangor; Piscataquis, R. Turner, Turner
House, Guillord; Sagadshoc, Jerry shannon,
Jams. PARK House, Hartland; Waldo. +. b. Nash,
Phoenix House, Belfast; Washington, ID. NJ. Gar
diner, Calais; York, +. s. Staples, Old Orchard.
The interesting event of the day came
when the following resolutions were present.
ed:
Whereas, The present prohibitory law in this
state has proved detrimental to the business in
terest OF the state In general, and particularly In
furious to the hotel business of Maine, and
Whereas, The said law has totally failed to
accomplish the results claimed for it, therefore
We, The representatives Of the hotel business
IN tnls state In convention assembled, hereby re-
solve that hereafter, in the consideration OF the
question, we wholly disregard political affiliations
and party lines and support such men only for the
legislature and legislative offices as will unquali
fedly pledge themselves as in favor of the repeal
OF this prohibitory law and the resubmission to
the people OF the Socaled prohibitoTy amendment
to the constitution of our state believing the said
amendment to be unwise and injudicious and
that at the present time, in view Of the evil effect
upon the material business of the state, a large
majority OF our people, regardless Of party lines,
would be opposed to its adoptioion and in favor OF
OF dealing with the liquor question.
There was heated discussion upon the
resolutions as read and lively and animated
speeches followed upon this subject. All
were alike in affirming that the present laws
were detrimental to the hotel keepers inter-
est, but some thought that it was best for
them as an organization not to affiliate with
any. political party, while others claimed
that with the 5000 votes which
the association influences they could
readily gain the assistance of one of the
great political parties TO help overthrow the
prohibitory law, and set up
in Its place local option
license law. An article was read from the
Lewiston Journal on this subject and vigor-
0usly denounced and ridiculed. After a
lengthy debate upon the subject the resolu
tion was unanimously adopted as given
above. The making of a raise in prices In
all the hotels in Maine was considered and
finally voted down. This evening at the
Elmwood Hotel Landlord Judkins served an
elegant banquet, at which there was large
attendance.