The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1895-10-17
Statement from State Constable Mears.

To THE EDITOR OF The JOURNAL: I wish
to make few statements in your valu-
able paper in relation to my work
as State constable, as regards the en-
forcement Of the prohibitory law in Waldo
county, and to refute many false reports
among the people. It is reported that am
bribed by some of the rum sellers; that l
am partial to some, and do not prosecute
them, while push others to the wall, and
prosecute them beyond reason; and many
other reports rejecting upon my integrity
and character have been circulated. AS to
these reports 1 care but little personally.
but l wish to let people know that
they are false. I aciU not be bri5ed
There is not money enough in the Golfers of
the rum sellers to buy me. If you think
there is you can ask them they will tell you
or you can try me yourselves. The work
have done does not justify the saying, so
leave it. But few know what my duties are,
and how laborious and difficult they are
against this class Of law breakers. l could do
more but it is impossible to satisfy all
Certainly, the people must know by this
moned before the grand jury and cost Of
same are not wanted. ! have as far as pos
sible, with help Of the County Attorney, cut
these expenses down, and have made more
searches and seizures than any other officer
in my place in the same time, and have got
more liquors. 1 will not prosecute man
unless | am sure l have evidence or can
find 4 .o oo;6 hat
successful in search and seizures. We have
collected during the year 1885 for liquor
fines S4,S5S6 so, and received about $40 for
liquors sent ont of the State. We have re-
ceived from the Law Court for sentence q
cases-all second offence. These cases will,
if the court fines, produce as much more
money this year, and there may also be i'm
prisonment.
/ am alone in this work so far as the pub
lie is concerned, but thank God that every
County Officer is my helper. Now, wish
to ask the public what are you doing to put
down this great evil which is costing the
people Of the United States nearly million
and half a year, and filing our poor houses
and prisons and bringing sorrow and misery
to thousands Of homes in our land? Why do
you stand back and find fault with the Off
GERS? Why not do something to put down
this evil? Cannot you give some informa-
tion by letter, signing you name, and inform
ing me who drinks, when and where, and of
whom they buy it? If you would even do
this, it would greatly facilitate putting
down the evil and lessen the costs
also. 1t is a fact that public opinion, pub
licly expressed, is one of the great factors in
putting down the liquor traffic. If boy
shouId break into one Of your stores in the
city and take a few peanuts and candy the
whole city would be very much interested
in bringing that boy to justice and every po-
lice officer would be hunting for him and for
evidence to convict him before the Police
Court. OF how much more Importance is
| active work against the great evil of liquor
selling, that is making these thieves and
robbng homes Of the very bread and cloth
ing necessary for the comforts of life. Go
down into the poor destitute homes in your
city, look at the destituton and misery there,
then 60 home and stop grumblng about Of
ticers, ana the laws, take hold of the work,
help the officers and you will soon see the
evil banished from the community
j.. X. MEARs, S. G.
Morrill, Oct IA, 1895.