Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1891-08-13
Peoples Prohibitory Enforcement League

This league was Incorporated hv special
act of the Legislature April 3, 1891. The
following are a few quotations from a
statement Of its purposes by its Presl-
dent, John c. Stewart Of York Village,
Maine:
As stated in its charter. this League was
organized for the purpose of securing
thorough and effective enforcement Of the
prohbitory liquor law of the State Of
Maine, efficiency in the law itself" Tn.
social atmosphere is intensely charged
with the lightning of prohibition, and il
only needs the proper medium 10 draw
down upon the saloon the blasting bolt Of
the peoples wrath Collected. the torces
are overw helming; scattered, they count
for little The design of this Leaguc is
to afford convenient means for collect
ing these scattered forces. and bringing
them to bear on the saloon
The capital stock of the League is di-
vided into shares Of the par value Of one
dollar each. All pledges OF support are in
the form of subscriptions for stock These
subscriptions are for d, finite number of
shares yearly for a term of five years; the
number of shares to be taken yearly j.
determined BY each subscriber for himself,
however. They will be issued when fully
paid and are not afterward asscS-ahle.
These subscriptions are due annually on
the first OF April. The trea>urer's bond
iS in the sum of ten thousand dollars and
the seCrctary'> in the sum Of two thousand
dollars. By the feature of payments for
term of years. the quality of permanence
j. assured
1t is neither possible nor profitable to
enumeratc the lines OF work that are con
-
they must develop as the work goes on
and means for prosecution are secured
In n general way Il may be stated that the
design is to do for the State what is done
by law and order leagues in cities and
towns. All laudabie aud lawful means
viii be tried to prevent the unlaw fu sale
Of intoxicating liquors K the people of
The STATE give reasonable support. All that
human energy can dp will be done to
"pnlyerile the saloon Prosecutions will
b" pushed just a. fast aud Just A. far a-
funds subscribed viii allnN
II i 10 part or the work proposed w
this LcaGnc 10 take from any officer any
responsibility or duty that the law inn
poses. The design l. rather 10 aid th"
officers n maxim. that diigtnt inquiry
INTO violations of the prrhihitory law
which the law commands We would
strengthen their hands in every WAY pos
~Ib.r and cause ihrm - realize that the
people are hrhlnl them al la~t and not
only wish 20 hayr thr law enforced bu,
mean - hay" il enforced.
As compared wl,h local law and order
LEAGUES an Organization such A. This ha,
many ami manifest advantages The mere
ftr. If IT. numbers ani extent Will give
enthusiasm and confidence. At critical
tunes The strength of the State League
NAV often htar up \ inc4 hort that would
otherwise iat. Movements uay often he
~'sr,cd when but for The State League
nothing could be- done. Il VIII be a con
slant Incentive To formation Of local
leagues HE social au3 business un-
plca-antnc-~ that - often attend local
work may be avoided through a State
League. It local league amounts t. auy-
thing il must bc nv active. open. vigorous
prosecution BY mcmbrr- of THE league.
Every member must NJ more " les prom
jurntly identified, and therefore more or
less open to the hostility Of the saloon
pArli~aus. ~ member of the State
League viii need tp make HI. cunucctian
with 1t any more prominent than he
chooses. TIE League will prosecute bv
it. paid agents and will only ask to be
Supported franciAly