The Portland daily press., 1893-03-31
THE ENFORCEMENT LEAGUE.
How 1t Is Proposed to Enforce the Pro-
hibitory Law in Every County in Maine.
Especial to the Press.l

RoCKLAND, March 3d.. W. Mitchell,
Jr., until recently principal of the Lin
coin street grammar school, but who has
been engaged as general agent of the
Peoples Prohibitory Enforcement
League of Maine for three years, leaves
Saturday for his former home in Free
dom, where he takes a brief vacation
previous to entering upon his new labors.
MI Mitchell was seen by a PRESS cor
respondent today and interviewed con-
corning the important work upon which
the League is about to launch. Mr..
Mitchell, while realizing fully the diff
culties which beset the undertaking. ex-
presses himself as very much encouraged
at the outlook and hopeful of the result.
In substance he said:
"Our first work will be to raise funds
sufficient to employ an agent in each
county, who shall devote his entire at
tention to the work, and whose duty
shall be to investigate crime, make COM
plants and place them in the hands OF
proper officers, attend court during trials,
etc. No special deputies will be asked
for but every pressure will be brought to
bear upon the officers already in power.
A few years ago scheme was started
which had a similar object, but which,
lacking in system, soon went to pieces.
Now however, we have an incorporated
order, subscriptions to which take the
form of shares of stock, beginning April
LIST and lasting five years, SO that when
we settle down in place we are there
for five years. This latter arrangement
is looked upon by our supporters as be-
ing highly business like and will enable
~ e., L., a
sale of stock is by no means our only
way of raising funds. Considerable
money comes in as gifts, while second
mode of subscription takes the form of
pledges, in which case the name of the
giver does not appear. The League al
ready has a large membership scattered
over the state, being especially strong in
Oxford and Kennebec counties. Thus
far our work has been confined to corres
spondence."
Speaking of Penobscot county, Mr..
Mitchell said: "The law is fiagrantly and
wickedly violated. I believe, however,
that there is latent force which, when
awakened, will shake grogshops to their
foundations. In Bangor there is a strong
sentiment for the enforcement of the
liquor law and am confident that when
we get there we shall have the ready CO.
operation of her people. We shall not go
into any county without first having an
invitation, not that we expect it to be a
general one, but we want to feel assured
eff some assistance"
ssHow about Portland and Cumberland
county?' was asked.
sWell," was the reply, "they appear to
be taking care of themselves pretty well,
and if we visit this county at all it will
ho ono Of tho 10 of on tho list ~
How do business men regard the
move? Every favorably. While the in
terests of business men are such that
they sometimes do not care to be identi-
fed with the movement, their support is
given freely, and we are much pleased at
our treatment at their hands," why is
our prohibitory law not better enforced?
Well, there are several reasons. In the
first place it is a radical defect of our
state constitution whereby the governor
does not have authority to remove sher-
ifs. In this state the only way this can
be done is by impeachment. The second
reason lies in the fact that the past few
years has seen perfect organization
among liquor dealers. Local dealers
now have the backing of wholesale de al
ers and brewers throughout the country,
and in bucking one of them we attack an
extensive power. The third reason is
politics. The party in power connives at
the existence of saloons, as the price OF
their political support."V
Is there any danger of the prohibitory
law being repealed?
Yes said Mr.. Mitchell, "there is
great danger. Our people have become
almost completely discouraged at the
manner in which the law is now en-
forced, and many believe that high
license, or almost anything would be
preferable. / think that a desperate at
tempt will be made to carry the state on
this issue at the next election, but
doubt it's success"
Mr.. Mitchell's departure from this city
is a source of deep regret to our people.
AS an educator in one of our leading
schools he has gained a reputation sec
ond to none in Maine. Courageous as he
is upright, the Enforcement League could
not have made better choice.