Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1891-03-14

Mr.. etewArt's 0peeoh.
Following are the remarks in full made
by Senator Stewar. ON the temperance bill
in the Senate Thursday. March l2:
Mr.. Stewart Of York-Strangely enough
the senator from Somerset approves in the
same breath many portions Of the bill,
criticizss others, does mot offer remedy
for any Of the defects and then declares
that be would vote for the proposition to
put the rum seller and common dfunkard
with the ministers Of che Gospel where
they never have been placed before, rather
than to put them where they deserve to 20
and where the good common sense of the
people Of the State Of Maine has for years
declared they ought to be put, where they
could do no further harm to the people.
for short time at least. The senator
from Somerset probably does not remem-
Der that he 10 today classed with ''pAupers,
idiots. insane persons and Indians not
taxed himself, and that he il also classed
with ministers Of ths Gospel; but he tells
you he il willing to vote. to put rum
seller and drunkard in the very same class
OF persons where the statute puts him, and
then he stands here and tells you that be
10 prohibitionist and anxious for the en-
forcement Of this law.
Gentlemen, I anticipated this, have not
prepared this bill and presented il to the
Senate from the committee without can
vassing the probabilities and possibilities ia
all Of this business, and submit that this
bill has been read to the Senate, presuming
upon the Ignorance Of the senators as to the
statutes now existing, and the action is
prompted by . determination to produce q
prejudice sgainst the bill at the very out
set, regardless Of any merit which the bill
may have in aud OF itself or the people who
stand behind it, propose to go over this
matter somewhat in detail, taking the bill
- il stands from fret 10 last and while am
not anxious to emulate the Honorable
who spoke for two or three weeks upon
similar proposition, l do preplse 70 take
the time Of the Senate to analyze this prop
Osition.
The very first section of this bill pro.
vides for an amendment to chapter 81 Of
the Revived Statutes section IA, which Sec
tion asis nov stands upon the Revised
Statutes closes with the word COMMITTED"
in the 18Th line upon the % page of the
printed document. All, additional to that
section is simply this: ANY citizen of
the State may prose cute for any violation
Of any Of the preceding sections OF this act
In the same manner ~ the licensing board
may prosecute, in which case all penalties
recovered shall inure to the person 30 pros
ecuting."
The senator from Somerset remembers
that in town in his own county, few
weeks ago the ho.el doors we're closed
TO guests, and they were notified
to leave. A judge Of the Supreme Court
Of Maine Was turned cut In the cold, ~
were county officers sud other people stor-
ping there. The hotel keepers told them
they must go. Why? Because the hctel
keepers in Skovheean we're not allowed to
sell rum freely and openly ard running At
the same time Sn inn without . license
Nov what 10 the remedy for its The ser
Asor from Somerset cannot bring q suit,
or the county attorney, no person who was
then within the walls Of this hotel, or who
wanted to 70 into the hotel, the travelling
men or anybody else. had any remedy
against this action. Why? Because the
statute says tha. licensing board shall
proseeuts for any violations Of the
foregoing sections. that came TO their
knowledge by complaint in m Indictment
or action Of debt Nobody else. The
licen.ing board is the only authority under
the statute to bring an action against .
hote,-keeper for turning his guests ont in
the cold.
Mr.. Ryder Of Panobscot--WiIl the sers-
ter allow me to ask him question. De I
understand him to mean keeping q hotel
and selling liquor cannot be prosecuted by
anv ne yaon exeauf 4 iicensiyg haard7