Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-08-30
A MONSTER PETITION
For Better Enforcement Of Liquor Law in
Penobscot County Attorneys Answer.

Dexter, Aug. 29.-Mrs. e. r. Horton
and 1000 others of this town have ad-
dressed to the court officers of Penob-
scot county a petition asking for the
better enforcement of the prohibitory
liquor law. They say:
To the Courts and Prosecuting Off
GERS of Penobscot County: We. the UNI
dersigned citizens Of Dexter. desire TO
call your attention to the spirit of law
lessness that reigns in this place. Large
quantities of liquors are openly sold
here, and the vendors thereof declare
their purpose to continue the business.
They say they do not care for the court,
and defy law abiding citizens to punish
them. We protest against this open
disregard of law and order. We pro-
test against a condition of things which
permits $4,000 worth of intoxicating
liquors to have been sold the past year
n defiance of law in Dexter. We
earnestly petition that prosecution
shall be so treated in the higher courts
that offenders shall be inspired with
some respect for the laws of Maine.
To this petition and an accompany
ng letter from Mrs Horton. County
Attorney Smith made the following re-
ply:
Dear madame: | am in receipt o.
your letter in reference to the cause Of
emperance and inclosing petition ali
.ressed 10 myself and other court chI-
rerS. l recognize upon that petition
he names Of many OF enc best citizen
If Dexter, and beg leave to assure You
nat / will give the matter my most
,arelul consideration.
I think yen VIII. however agree with
me- in this: That. in the majority o.
asses, The fault is with the local au-
,horities.
l take especial pains to procure tn
record of all persons engaged in tAt
sale of liquors. and promptly indiet All
such: and have ALSO procured evidence
IN many cases through the sheriff ana
lther officers. and found indictmen
against people other than those who
Jay revenue tax. l also consider aHl
present to the court a few cases where
local prosecutions have been instituted
before magistrates, bun among thu
number | find very few which are be-
gun by complainj of local authoriu $
NJ organizations. The cases which
come to this court. aside from those
which are presented by the county au-
thoI9ties. are cases instituted on com
paint of persons who are seeking re
venge for some real CT fancied personal
grievance.
Very few proceedings are instituted by
municipal authorities, or by persons VINO
appear to be Interested in the prosecution
If liquor dealers for the purpose of sup
pressing the sale of intoXicants. The
primary OBJECT is something else.
| have the pleasure of living in Il town
where there is not a single place where
liquors are kept and sold for tipping pur-
poses. The reason is that the municipal
officers are not afraid or unwilling to en-
ter complaints and prosecute, In one or
Two instances persons have attempted 10
engage in the business. but retrihution
came so swiftly and certainly that the
transgressor was glad to abandon mis-
scheme.
The courts and county officers, in order
10 do more effective work, must be sup
ported by the local authorities-not that
weak kind of support which seeks to shift
he burden to other shoulders, but by
that kind of support which openly and
courageously assumes a proper share Of
the load.
Permit me further to say that any case
sent here from Dexter on complaint of
the municipal officers or any person rep
resenting any temperance organiza ton
will be promptly and effectively pressed
20 Judgment and sentence.
With assurances that | shall endeavor
o perform my duty. without fear or IA
vor, and with best wishes for the success
of yourself and all other friends of law
and order, l am very cordially yours.
BERTRAM l.. SMITH,