The Portland daily press., 1897-12-20
TO THE GOVERNOR.
Grand Chief Templar Rogers Presents His
orders Petition.

Augusta, December .s.-The following
petition was presented to Governor Pow
ers Thursday by Grant Rogers, G. @. r.
of Maine Good Templars
To Llewellyn Powers, Governor of the
State of Maine:
The undersigned adult citizens of
Maine, respectfully represent, That ow-
ing to the failure of officers in many local
tiles to enforce the prohibitory law in
many cities and towns In Maine the law
is openly and fiagrantly violated against
the wishes and in defiance Of the best ele-
ment in the community, thus rendering
the efforts of honest citizens imperative
And whereas, at the 9Th annual session
of the Grand Lodge of Maine, Indepen-
dent Order of Good Templars, the follow
ing was adopted Resolved That a Pc
tltlon be circulated among the subordin-
ate lodges, in the Jurisdiction of this
grand lodge, for the signatures of the
members, and all others in sympathy
with the movement, to be presented as
memorial to Governor Powers, calling for
the enforcement OF the prohibitory law of
the state" Therefore, We respectfully
pray, that special orders be given to all
officials whose duty 1t is to enforce this
law, calling for the honest, impartial and
fearless. discharge Of the duty in the en-
forcement of this law, thus making this
year one long to be remembered for the
advancement of good morals, social puri-
ty, and the protection of our homes:
There were 179 petitions, signed by 7O78
adult citizens OF Maine.
To O reporter Mr.. Rogers said that with
little more work several times that
number of names could have been pro-
cured, but If was thought that the list
presented would do as well rs longer
one. The Governor received him very
cordially and his call was enjoyed. The
Governor thought the petition very broad
and might include more than came with
in the scope of his executive authority.
He requested Mr.. Rogers to communicate
with HIM and point out some specific
action, and anything within the province
of his authority he would gladly do.
Mr. Powers said he had always been o
believer and advocate of ths prohibitory
law. He said: "Oficers ought to do
their sworn duty. The carnival of rum
in many of our cities is a disgrace to the
State and administration.
When asked if he thought the license
sentiment is growing i'll Maine, Mr..
Rogers said 81 think not. While occa-
sionally a man who maans right has been
duped by the license fallacy, yet the large
body of Christian and moral voters
would no more listen to compromise
with the saloon than they would consent
10 llCGuSlAS tuS CTlIlSS DFO0lDlt0Q
the ten commandments simply because
they ever have, and ever will be violated.
'When truly moral man advocates a
license law we are naturally amazed
The saloon sympathizer picks 1t up and
proclajIns it, until some are led to believe
that a large number of our good citizens
favor license, while. as a matter of fact,
the majority know that the origin of the
license theory is among the drinkers and
sympathizers, who desire to return TO tho
condition of fifty years ago when drinking
was popular and considered respectable.
"We have reason to be encouraged. The
church is again awakening to its duty
against its greatest obstacle and man S
greatest demoralizer. The Good Tenn
plars are getting down to more effective
work. The temperance people all over the
state are demanding more of their
officials. The political parties are being
admonished rs never before, that if
clean, straight temperance men are not
placed in nomination they will no longer
receive the temperance vote of the party
and they are beginning to mean it,