Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-05-16
The following communication from
our esteemed friend in Hallowell, is
well worth careful reading:
THE MAINE LAW
II. X. Baker

a. soltclI itSti VI II ulit DIS TO the eXtCu-
ton of the law, and yet there are some
things to be considered in order to give
a full and correct view of the case. He
is comparatively young man, and he
writes from his tand-point Blu.
there are other facts to be stated if we
would obtain a correct opinion.
First. as to the execution of laws
generally. Are all the other laws in
Maine strictly executed?
Are there not petty thefts. notorious
gambling clubs, and cases of Illicit in
tercnurse well known and not punish
ed IN many of our towns and cities
Even cases of homicide are sometimes;
lightly passed over, when the provoca-
ton was strong. Is our State alone n
TINS! Is ii not true of other States
1t Is alleged that III the United States
there are over 10000 murders in a year.
and how many are punished?
Now let us look backward a little.
My memory extends backward to 1920
and before. | was born in a rural
town on the Kennebec river: a few
miles distant there was village. It
had large rum tavern. and several
grocery stores on each side of tn"
l4NCi -AI4 Soli itIuplS freely. II was
the custom of farmers miles around
to go to the village Saturday afternoon
to do their marketing. Those of them
that loved liquor frequently came
home intoxicated Most of the farm
ers i'll haying time provided supplies
Of liquor. SO also We're raisings, mus
ters and trainings notorious for drunk
enness.
In 1921 ! went to a larger village to
reside. There were perhaps two, or
three tdverns. two or three druggists
and also saloons. six or eight grocery
stores all having their casks Of liquor.
Men came in from the country to buy
goods, and the trader said What
Will you have to drink % The ma joc-
ity drank more or less. Two on three
miles out of the village were rum tav-
erns where countrymen stopped on
their way To market and the next
night stopped on their way back.
Clubs frequently went from the VII
lage to these taverns to have a higil
time. Country taverns were numer-
GUS. and all sold liquor. Liquors were
furnished at Weddings funerals, ordi-
nations, etc. Some lawyers were
booty in court, and some doctors visit
ing patients.
Now how came Maine to have a Pro-
hibitory law?
1t did not spring out of the ground.
Half a dozen Neal Bows could not
have effected such revolution - years
ago.
About 1880 small temperance societies
were formed some perhaps earlier.
The subject of our drinking habits be-
gan to he agitated. 1t was introduced
into public meetings. Addresses were
given and sermons preached. School
districts, town and county meetings
We're held and a State society formed.
Stretches were made in various places,
and petitions for relief signed. The
first temperance societies only prohibit
te drinking ardent spirits. After some
years the comprehensive pledge began
tCtb2 adopted, including all intoxicants.
These movements gradually pervaded
the whole State.
Well | remember Samuel N. Pond,
the early secretary Of the State society,
Thomas Adams, Samuel Redington and
others who labored INCREASINGLY in the
reform. The work was slow and grad
ual | was a young man but was APP
pointed as magistrates. | issued war
rants against rum sellers on complaints
and On evidence fined them. The stat
ute then was a license law but many
sold without license.
In the neighboring city of Augusta
the temperance advocates wished u
prosecute the dealers and invited me to
act as MAGISTRATE. Upon advice OF men
of standing | consented. | determined
| would not convict any accused person
except uron clear evidence. had
blanks printed on purpose. Nearly 10y
complaints We're brought before i'ie
and there were 20 or % convictions
They ali appealed to the higher cour /
but my decisions were confirmed VIII
only one exception.
The result to them was that they paP
their fines. The result To me was MAJ a., 3
was assaulted in the street by hileo lu.
fans and roughly handled. mere W.
liuuor sellers from various p,tIt9 - ~ ~,
rnl,ntry who had been notihcd OF tii'
plot and looked on win Slee' bu' NV nv
rufiians We're prosecuted ana tilet No.
,r.l,np COST SomeW here about Al3VU. dll'
another magistrate went on nearing o'i
paints. , -, r,ou, III,
It is the fashion to call Neal Dow IN
author of the Maine law. lie "da gu
ins agitation and the meetings anu t e.
forts through the State carried Oh 10
more than - years there "ouiu i''
been no Maine law ,,.. voic.
Several years before Neal DOW ~ 10y,
w,s heard Cen. James Appleton a rep
resentative from Portland, reported ~" IN
II committee Of the Legislature PIg
hibitory law. 1t failed OF passaE y. m an