Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1893-03-31
WARON THE SALOON
To Be Waged by the Peo-
pies League Of Maine.
GENERAL AGENT ENGAGED.
A Few Reasons Why Prohibition In the
Pine Tree State Does Not Prohibit.

RoCKLAND, Me. March 3l.-J. W. Mitch.
ell. Jr., until recently principal Of the Lin
coin street grammar school, but who has
been engaged as general agent of the Peo-
ples Prohibitory Enforcement league of
Maine for three years, leaves Saturday for
Augusta, the seat of his new labors.
Mr.. Mitchell was interviewed concerning
the important work upon which the league
is about to engage. Mr.. Mitchell, while
realizing fuzzy the difficulties which beset
the undertaking, expresses himself as very
hopeful OF the outlook.
'Our first work." said he, will be to
raise funds sufficient TO employ an agent
In each county, who shall devote his entire
attention to the work, and whose duty 1t
shall be
To Investigate Crime,
make complaints TO the proper officers, at
tend court during session, etc. No special
constables will probably be asked for, but
every pressure will be brought to bear
upon the officers now in power.
"A few years ago a scheme was started
which had similar object, but which,
lacking system soon went To pieces. Now,
however, we have an incorporated order,
subscriptions TO which take the form OF
shares of stock, the certificates beginning
April and lasting five years This latter
arrangement is looked upon by our sup
porters as being highly business-like, and
will enable us to raise funds more easily.
"The sale of stock il by no means the
only source of funds. Considerable
money comes in the form OF gifts. while
we have a second form OF subscription
L. Int tnh "a
name of the giver does not appear. The
league has a considerable membership
scattered throughout the state, being
counties. Thus far our work has been
confined TO correspondence"
Speaking of Penobscot county, Mr..
Mitchell said: "The law is fiagrantly and
wickedly violated. 1 believe however,
that there Is IA latent force which when
developed
VIII shake the Grog Shops
to their foundations In Bangor there Is
a strong sentiment for the enforcement OF
liquor laws, and am confident that when
we get them we shall have the hearty CO.
operation Of its people
I'VE shall not go into any county with
out first having an invitations; not that we
expect it to be general one, but We want
To feel assured of some assistance.
How about Portland and Cumberland
countyY" was asNed We'll" was the re-
ply, "they appear to be taking pretty good
care of themselves, and if we visit that
county AT all it will be one Of the last Oh
the list"
How do business men regard the
mover"
Very favorably. While the interests Of
business men are often sucn that they do
not care to be identified with the move
ment, their support Is very freely given,
and We are much pleased at our treatment
AT their hands"
why is the prohibitory law not better
enforcedp'
well, there are several reasons In
the first place, IL is ralical defect va& our
state constitution, whereby the governor
does not have power TO remove sherihs
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 nave seen perfect organ
ization among liquor dealers, SO that now
In acting against local deal one
Attacks the United Forces
Of wholesale liquor dealers. brewers, etc.
The third reason il politics. The party in
power often connives at the existence Of
saloons as the price Of their political sup
port"
us there any danger of the prohibitory
law being repealedS"
"Yes, there's great danger. Our people
have become thoroughly discouraged at
the manner in which the law is now en-
forced, and many believe that high IL
cense or almost any law would be prefer
able. l think that desperate attempt
will be made to carry the state OH this is
sue ut the next election, but | doubt its
success"
Mr. Mitchells departure from this city
IL source of deep regret to our people
As an educator In one OF our leading
schools he has gained a reputation second
to none in Maine. Courageous as he Is
upright, the enforcement league could not
have made better choice.
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