The Somerset reporter., 1896-05-28
The Citizens League,

League was held in Grand Army Hall,
Monday evening last at 80 O'Clock.
The topic announced in the REPORTER
of last week, The educational work of
The league was discussed at some
length by +. f. Danforth, Ed, Rev.
b. {. Wentworth, O. Il. Bachelor, Esq.
and Mrs. l.. W. Weston
K. +. Danforth, Esq. the first speaker
defined the objects OF the league to be-
first, to suppress the sale of Intoxicating
liquors; second, to build up public
sentiment that will sustain this enforce
ment; third, to build up public senti-
ment that will prevent the use of intoxi-
eating liquors. Meetings thus far, he
said, have been directed to enforcement
of law, now it is fitting that educational
feature should have consideration. Edu-
cation begins at the foundation. Teach
boys and girls the evil effects of liquors.
Make temperance a household word
Lessons learned at home in childhood
stay by us, those of the mother better
than those of the father He referred
to temperance instruction in the public
schools. He feared this law was not as
well carried out as it should be. Those
who framed the statute struck the key
note. The school board should not
hesitate to furnish all necessary books,
maps, charts, etc, to make the instruc.
ton effective. If we can furnish an
ounce of preventative that is better
than pound of cure we should do it.
Temperance is life work. We must
keep straight ahead. There is more
healthful public sentiment in the town
today than there has been for some
years, still there is opportunity for
growth.
Rev. b. c. Wentworth said temper
ance is making steady advance. The
tide is moving along stronger and
stronger. The last 80 years have shown
great results, the next so years we may
expect greater results. The lessons OF
this organization is and its necessity
shows, that the prohibitory law in town,
county aud State is nullitied. There is
no fault with the law The judiciary is
all right. The difficulty is with the
executive officers. We should organize
against notification.
o. h. Bachelor, Esq, said public
sentiment is the great lever. How shall
we create a right public sentiment ?
Social, educational, religious and politi-
cal influences should all be in the di-
rection of temperance. He spoke of the
great Washingtonian wave that swept
over the country about 90 years ago
attributing the advance in the temper.
ance idea largely to that aud other such
movements later. Public sentiment is
what does the work.
Mrs. =. w. Weston said she was glad
to see attention called to the violation OF
the law against the sale of cigarettes
to BOYS. This law is not enforced as
we'll as the prohibitory law. 1t is very
important. Smoking leads to drinking.
She was also pleased to see movement
in the direction of better observance OF
the law providing for temperance in.
struction in the public schools. The
W. c. I. L., have long worked to thi,
end.
The chairman at this point explained
the work that had already been done IN
this direction by the league and on
motion of Mr.. Paine committee was
authorized TO make further efforts foi
/ the observance of this law.
Discussion relative to enforcement of
the prohibitory law was participated il
/ by Rev. II. w. kimhall, Dr. J. y. Mer
rill, ]. II. Mitchell. J. II. Lacase. d. "
/ Lewis. 5. +. Conant. W. II. Paine, John
Stanley. The project of applying e
Governor Cleaves for the appointment
of two special coustables to enforce the
prohbitory law in Somerset County
was preached land is to come up fol
discussion at the next meeting, Monday
evening June sth.
a good number of ladies grlced the
occasion by their presence ia accord
auce with an invitation extended by the
league, adding much to its interest
While portions of the west are flooded
Aroostook county is suffering from
drought and is in danger of burning up
/ Forest fires within few days have
destroyed much valuable timber in
Maine. These calamities bring a real
/ izing sense how much the weather has
to do with prosperity and comfort, but
in the case of forest fires another ele.
ment enters in, the carelessness of the
individuals who allow the fires to start
Rain may be necessary to PIT them ont
but the lack of it is seldom responsible
for the first blaze.