The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-12-12
GETTING TIRED OF PRoHIBITIoM.
Signs Multiply In Maine That a Change in the
Law Is Coming.

BANGoR, Dec. lo.-since the death of Neal
Dow there has been a general revival all over
Maine Of the discussion of the prohibitory liquor
law, and 1t begins to look as though some change
might be attempted at the next session of the
Legislature. The Maine law always was a fall
ure, and seems even more impotent-the en-
forcement of it even more farcical-now than
ever before. In Bangor very little attention has
been paid to the law for twenty years. or since
the time of the famous Sheriff Jerrard. BY
common consent liquor selling is allowed. under
certain police regulations, and, although there
are nearly or quite 200 places where liquor can
be bought at retail. besides several wholesale
houses. there is better order hero and far less
intemporance than in almost any other city OF
the same size in New England.
THE Bangor plan, - so called, OF regulating
the liquor trade, or OF getting something out OF
it for the public treasury, is generally accredited
to Chief Justice Peters of the Maine Supreme
Court, whose homo is in this city. By this plan
there are no searches and seizures, as provided
for by the Maine law, except upon specific com
plant; but once II year, at the February term of
court, all liquor dealers are rounded up and
prosecuted under what is known AS the liquor
nuisance act. The penalty upon conviction
under tho nuisance act is fine or imprisOn-
mcnt, whereas upon conviction in "A search and
seizure process the punishment is fine and im-
INSTRUMENTATION and costs and sixty days in
lall, at labor, and, III default or nnc, sixty days
additional. Those convicted under tho nni-
sance act merely pay a fine OF 800 and costs
generally about $llO, and that is the end Of itS
that Is practically their license fee for tho year.
No search or seizure OF liquors Is necessary in
carrying ont the Bangor plan. The sheriff goes
10 Portsmouth, y. H., and copies from The books
of the Collector Of Internal Revenue for this dis
trict "A list of those IN PenobscDt county who
have paid the special tnited States tax asdealers
in liquors. The mere fact of IA man. name APP
pcaring on this list Is taken as prima fucic evil
dcnCC that he Is engaged in the business. and he 10
indicted accordingly, Some are slow in paving
thu line. but most OF them settle, few going 10
jail. In this way as much as al 900 has been
gathered into the county treasury at a single
term Of court, and on various occasions. tho
financial distress by the money squeezed from
the liquor dealers.
Recently, the " Bangor idea has been adopted
in AndroscOggin and in some other counties.
with considerable success. ana now IT. Is popular
in Cumberland county. In which Is located the
city Of Portland. tho HON" Of Neal Dow and
many another ardent advocate of prohibition.
But in Portland they run to extremes, Al onB
t''nC II is vigorous enforcement thht Is, cOntin-
Ull searching ana sriZing, with the result or
tho quality Of the liquor something vile. Then.
as they arc now doing, there Is almost entire
disregard Of both law and dcccncy. Barrooms
are run wid" open now. not only on week days
hut on sundays as well, and II is this con;
dition thai has prompted men who have all
their lives been strong supporters Of tho law 10
finally admit that The law is impOtCnt. that per-
haps a change would he desirable.
In Bangor the Clorgymcn Of n dozen churches
have been holding meetings for the especial
are by lao means unanimous Ia Endorsement OF
the present statute, signs multiply that the
days Of prohibition In Maine are numbered.