Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-07-11
DEXTER HAPPY. l@
Hotels Again Opened to the T.ayeI-
ing Public.
The Prohibitory Law Was the Cause Of All
the Trouble.

Dexter. Me-. July 1O.-'rhe citizens are
much pleased over the fact that the no
tells have again been opened, after an en-
forced suspension from business. result
ing from a temperance crusade started
several months ago by members of the
W. c. T. L. The likelihood is that the
war between the hotel proprictors and
temperance people will be before long
ended.
a year ago, careful canvass of the
town was made by those interested in
temperance. the town being divided IN
into districts and each district assigned
to some one person TO interview and Sc
cure the signature of each adult to a
paper, calling for the better enforcement
of the prohibitory law. The plan worked
better than was anticipated, and the citi-
zens generally signed the paper presented,
thinking that would no doubt end 1t.
With the exception of an occasional
search and seizure at one of the hotels.
there was little done until after an eX-
preston was obtained at the last annual
town meeting upon an article to see what
action the town would take for better
enforcement of the prohibitory law.
About p per cent. OF the voters by ris-
ing vote expressed themselves favorably
on such a course being taken. ana there
was no dissenting voice.
Later in the day. Rev. T.. A. Mason of
the Baptist church attempted to intro
duce a resolution to make an amendment
to the vote relative to the enforcement of
the law, and by a very decided vote the
citizens refused to reconsider the article.
First Selectman Walter Scott had prom
ised the temperance element that in event
of his reelection as a member of the
board and the passing of vote for the
better enforcement of the liquor law that
i I IL
whatever duties devolved upon him in
this respect. The first demand made
upon the board was that they post notices
that all innkeepers and victualers must
take out an innkeepers or victualer' 5
license by April /. This was accordingly
done.
The Exchange hotel was later searched
three times by several officers on war
rants sworn out by different members of
the w. c. r. T.. and though each search
was conducted in a thorough manner, the
officers found nothing.
Two weeks ago. Mrs. Albna b. Crockett
brought civil suits against the proprie-
tors Of the Exchange hotel and Dexter
house for not taking out an innkeeper' $
or Victualer's license. the penalty being
so. and the law further providing that
property may he attached in the sum of
500 in bringing suit.
The deputy sheriff called for and OBJ
tanned 4 special bond before he proceeded
He seized a barge at one of the hotels
and hack at the other, both vehicles be-
ing ones used in conveying passengers to
and from trains.
Following this act all of the hotels
closed and ii is understood that the
Maine Hotel Proprietors' Association was
interested in the fight to such an extent
that it shared the expense Of keeping the
hotels closed.
The selectmen have sought legal advice
AMI as yet are not fully able To deter
mine whether the town will be held 70!
damages or not. The owners of the hotels
declared that they would not reopen
their houses if it is necessary to take out
a license. and Mrs. Crockett declared
the war will be wagcd as long as droT
of liquor was sold in town.
Mrs. Crockett has long been identified
with the temperance element. and relia-
BILE citizens iInpuSn to her at this time
other motivet than the discouragemen
Of the sale of liquor, and say that if hei