Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1891-09-24
Bangor Commercial Sept. Il, ls9l.I
Fair Grounds Lively
But Hotels and stores Duh and Deserted
In Lewiston.
Auburn Gazette

Auburn Gazette.
Up at the fair grounds the sun shines
brightly on big crowds and happy faces.
Everybody is congratulating every body
else on the good time they are having and
the State Fair people are beginning TO
ieel that their load Of debt is lightened
and that life Is still worth living. All this
IS IN strange contrast to the gloom that
seems to enshroud Lcwiston's business
community. The Irgus correspondent
has noticed the certain air of sadness that
persades the town and this is how he ac-
counts for It,
The hotel keepers are ugly and many Of the
store ktepers are sore. They sa, that the
strict enforcement Of the law has ruined their
business. One thing is noticeable for fact
II i dull and quiet about the hotels in the
evening where heretofore all has been life and
txcitt mtnt. The store keepers say that the
visitors 90 otbe grounds and see the race, and
90 home, there being nothing to draw them
down town.
How much truth there is in this explana-
tion of LeWiston'S duh State Fair week
from business point Of view, may be
matter Of opinion but it is c. rtainlv s,rik
ing and impartial testimony to the etiIcien-
cy win which the Lewiston authorities
are enforcing The law
! ny ~ w ~ lIbill tIlc 1HbHrH frttEfftf else
where quoted will be read with general in
terc>t. The result of the ramrud enforce
ment of the prohibtorv law in Lewiston
Is shown IN empty stores aud deserted ho-
teis. The people, 50 says disiuterested
correspondent come during the day, % to
the falr and get away as quickly as they
can IL would be a safe assertion to make,
hist not third as much money has been
l"ft among the merchants and hotel keep
erS OF Lewiston by visitors to the fair this
week as was left in Bangor by visitors to
lhe Eastern Maine state fair week ago.
! ne campaign of education Is progressing
and we think that Lewiston business men
~ general are pretty we'll ready for the
question now.
What business can be made dull bv the
enforcement Of the prohibitnrv law bnt th,
business Of rum selling? Does the Con.-
mfrrjal think that loafng round hotels and
stores i conducive ~ thr prosperity Of a
town: II IA man attending tn" State fair
wishes I" purchase piece Of cloth, pair
Of boots or a barrel uf -four, he will get
them, however strictly enforced the law
may W. and will carry that 10 his home
that wlll bring comfort To his family and
make him more Of a man. But il tile ho
trI~ and saloons are pro>perug in their &C.
cursed business Of rum selling the chances
are the same man Cif rum driuker would
return to his family besotted, to torment
and abuse them. II hotels, saloons and
apothecary shops cannot prosper unless
they are allowed To sell rum, the sooner
they are closed the better for the commu
nifty, and their places would soon be tlled
hy persons Who have brains aud principl,
enough 10 conduct u legitimate business
that Will not destroy the moral tone and
happiness Of tile community. Thank hcav-
en- the prohittory law has been found
t1cctnal ID closing The rum shops in Port
land and ID Lew aston; 1t has proved 10 the
people of Maine, Tut tor the jae hchytcg
or criA,tHqiny of our officials, what could
be dome in other towns in our state Does
the tohiia.rrj4f congratulate itself oh the
amount Of money taken at the Eastern
Maine State Fair, knowing that the amour,
WAS Increased hy the unrestricted sale Of
liquor in the city during the week of fair?
We hope not, but its comment on he above
arti' .ltnd> very much ike it,
AT g.
Ellsworth Sent IA 'nl