Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-10-21
CHALLENGE Criticism.

willard, president Of the Worlds and
| National W. c. 7. o., before the conven-
ton in Baltimore, Friday. was OF more
than ordinary interest. 1t was very able,
admirable in style and strong In appeal.
But the same may be said Of all similar
contributions from this gifted woman
OF this address that part which most
forcibly attracts attention is this;
"a union OF reform forces is contem-
plated. and the leaders have agreed TO the
following basis, which is commented to
the good will OF oil white ribbon women;
1. Direct legislation; the Initiative
and the referendum in national, State
and local matters; the imperative man
date and proportional representation
| When any branch Of legitimate
husiness becomes a monopoly in the
hands of a few against the interests of the
MANY. that industry should he taken pos
| session OF, on just terms, by the municipal
| itv the state or the nation, and admins
tered by the people
& The election OF President and vice
President and Of United States senators
by direct vote Of the people, and also of all
civil officers, 50 far a. practicable
A. Equal suffrage without distinction
Of sex.
5 As the land is the rightful heritage
of the people, no tenure should hold with
out use and occupancy.
6. Prohibition Of the liquor traffic for
beverage proposes, and governmental
control OF the sale for medicinal scientific
and mechanical uses
Z. All money-paper, gold and silver
should be Issued by the national gov
eminent only. and made legal tender for
all payments, public or private, on future
contracts and In amount adequate to the
demands of business.
3. The free and unlimited coinage of
silver and gold at the ratio of Is to l.
1t will be noticed that Miss Willard
does not present the economic and social
istic features included in the above with
out commentator She distinctly says
they are commended to the good will of
all white ribbon women" One Is in
stantly reminded of the manner in which
her mastery leadership carried the grand
organization over to the third party"
several years ago. 1t remains to be
proved, however, that either the so called
Prohibition party, the W. G. Il. u. or the
cause of temperance was benefited there.
by and, there are most excellent reasons
for believing that all three were greatly
weakened by this Ill advised commingl-
ing of issues. The internal revenue
receipts in this country have since that
time increased between twenty and thirty
million dollars, n quito good Indication
that Notwithstanding the increase in
population, the liquor traffic has more
than held its own; the Prohibition party
has lost very much Of whatever Influence
1t had, either for the cause of temperance
or the cause of politicians; the W. c. T.
y, has made gains in some directions but
Judging from the increased amount of
liquor consumed, the cause of temperance
has not received greater aid from the
organization than before the political
coup 'etat of Miss Willard.
In this very address Miss Willard has
this to say:
In the widening field of athletics all
stimulation Is discounted. The bicycle is
the most influential temperance rcformer
of the time. and milk is the fayorite
beverage of those who ride to win. Men
who drink take less, and more men do not
drink at all than in any previous year.
This is the testimony of railway mana
gers, life insurance agents, police captains
and the general public. Steam and elec
tricity have put level heads at a premium,
and the trend of invention lies parallel
with the white path of personal purity in
all the habits of life. Legislation follows
on after individual progress.
Level heads are indeed at a premium
The evils resulting from the use of intox-
tcating liquors are much more generally
understood. There has been progress in
the temperance habits of the individual.
The educational and moral, the uplifting
influences of the W. C. T. U. before 1t
rambled into bypaths, its influences along
this line since that departure, the like
influences of the non partisan organiza-
tion--a are to be commended In the
highest terms and deserve the heartiest
co operation of all who desire the welfare
of society. But because of this Miss Will
lard should not presume to carry this CO
operation to the support of a dishonest
dollar she should not infer that because
the best elements are behind her In behalf
of temperance and purity they Will render
her like assistance in any endeavor to
unite the W. c. I. L. with the third
party, the Populists, the Socialists, the
discontinued factions that give chase to
one political ignis fatuus today and
another jack lantern tomorrow. Per
haps Miss willard does not contemplate
such an amalgamation and If she did we
feel assured the different clements would
fail to coalcsce. We think however that
her proposition. as quoted at the begin
ming, calls for an expression of opinion,
challenges criticism and until more fully