Daily Kennebec journal., 1894-12-31
Enforcement Of the Prohibitory Law.


So much is being said just now in re-
gard to the free sale of liquor in the cities
of Maine, that we need to remind our
selves that the trouble is not with our
law. Lack of enforcement is not the best
mode of determining the efficiency of any
law. Senator Frye recently said in the
United States Senate that the Maine law
had practically Griven Liquor selling
out of three quarters of our State. He
did not overstate it. One who has been
in nearly every locality in the State says,
II think to compare the benefits which
are claimed for high license with those
under prohibition is as strong its any line
of talk on the question. The town in
which is my home is a small city of 1000
inhabitants. Not a drop of liquor (not
even cider, is sold within its borders
Accordingly, very little is drank. Very
likely few do send to Massachusetts and
get it, few others by lying may get it
at the Portland liquor agency; but on the
whole it is q sober, thrifty town. Be
fore the Maine law was enacted it was
poor and disreputable. | believe that
prohibitory laws are more easily enforced
than are license laws This is true, that
l do not know of an intelligent man or
woman in Maine who believes in total
abstinence who does not believe in prohi-
bition. The opponents to the law, are
opponents to prohibition if the truth
could be proven
In q recent number Of the Union Sig
nal the editors in her editorial made use
of these words ''We believe that every
Prohibitionist should have cast his vote
with the Republican party in the recent
State election in Maine " In defense of
her position she says, "Our reason is not
far to seek 1t is simply that what we
want to secure is the prohibition of the
liquor traffic and to vote the Republican
ticket in the election referred to, seemed
the sure way of defending the Maine pro
hibitory law from the assaults of its enc
mics The Republican party has steadfast-
ly stood by the Maine law, which it orig
mated, putting prohibition in its platform
year after year. We do not deny that
in towns and cities in the Pine Tree
State, Republican officials wink Mt the
liquor traffic, but so long as the State Re
publican party indorses prohibition in its
platform we can not deny it. As women
who have set before ourselves the one object,
the annihilation of the liqour traffic, we
will oppose no party which stands square
| ly for prohibition, and If in any election two
or more parties stand thus for prohibition
not equivocally, but with a straig ht dec
laration for prohibition, we shall throw
our influence and would give our vote II
we had it, with the one of two or more
prohib bition parties which was most likely
to win in the contest.
1.-The power of the churches is being
felt in the enforcement of the prohibitory
|
law. The force of this law is being seen
on almost all sides. Hotel keepers meet
and talk and resolve; they declare the law
Tor its enforcement) an injury to business
an so it is to a part OF their business.
! The saloon keepers bury the stuff deep
The railroads and steamboats, continue
to smuggle it into the state, contrary 10
! law. But the law docs good p'isl-
ness after all. 1t makes 1t mighty nara
for most people to buy rum The recent
amendments have Il most salutary lniu-
ente. 1t is fight to enforce the law; IL
always will be- The work is never done
the victory will never be ours completely
until the king of kings has gained
complete mastery of human hearts. On-
til these may al be faithful, vigiiant
and strong.
That the ch rches have power in regu-
lating some abuses by united action let
| the following incidents testify.
| Rev. ID. o. Meirs, ID. d., formerly OF
| Worces ter n w of Cleveland, Ohio, while
on his way tD church on recent SUNDAY,
found the city employees engaged ln
street repairing, which, by no stretch OF
the imaginati IN, could be deemed neces~
sary. He went into his pulpit, told his
congregation that the responsibility for
stopping such law breaking rested upon
| the Christian citizens before him i'll the
news. and he served notice that II they
did not act before 3 p NJ. he would. The
trustees met immediately after morning
service, consulted with prominent city
official. also member of the church, ana
before DIR. Mears finished his mid day
meal the labor had ceased and the officii
supposedly responsible for 1t had made
explanations and apologies;
.sDr. Abbott's recent appeal to his con-
greration in Brooklyn was war-cry; the
response ef the congregation to hisappt al
was splendid, and the resolute, swift ac
tion Of the church committee, REINFORCED
nv the signatures of $50 members OF the
| church. made the license granting author
itv realize that the decent citizens of the
city of churches had opinions that must
be respected
/ Notes
On Jan. 3lst an all day conference OF
members of the W. c. I. T., of the state
| will be held in Augusta; and in the even
ing at the Opera house addresses will he
made by Miss Frances +. Willard and
Lady Henry Somerset.
White ribbon hearts are tenderly toucneo