The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1898-02-03
Temperance Lecture.

churches was held In the Congregational
church, Sunday evening. Rev. G. v.
Hanson, Rev. b. G. Wentworth, Rev. A.
N. Dairy, Rev. Geo. K. Leighton and
Rev. Harry w. Kimball were present.
Rev. FL. W. Kimball presided, Rev. Geo
E. Leighton offered prayer. Mr.. Kim
ball explained that the pastors present
had after consultation agreed upon the
plan of holding four public union meet
ings during the year for work along the
line of good citizenship. This is the
first cf the series and the subject was,
very appropriately, temperance, with an
address by Rev. A. N. Dairy.
The following is something of an out
line of the address. The speaker com
menced by expressing his confidence in
the integrity of his fellow citizens and
their readiness to consider caDdidly any
sober presentation of the subject of
temperance. Our interests in this
matter are common. We are fellow.
citizens In this beautiful, thrifty, in
telligent village. There is one awful
blight, however, upon our village, one
that is the open violation of our tenn
perance laws. There are some seven or
eight places in this village where liquor
Is sold MS freely as boots and shoes are
sold. And there is no disagreement in
the minds of any In the audience as 10
just where these places are. They are a
damage TO the business of the town, a
curse to the morals of our people, dis
grace to the name of Skowhegan. We
owe it to ourselves, TO the youHg who
are debauch by its presence, to the
would be reformed men who are made to
fall by it and to the good name Of our
town to rise in our righteous indignation
and put our heel upon the devilish
traffic. These places are not only cor
ruptng and damning influence in our
midst, but the keepers of them are
fagraut criminals in the eyes of the law.
he following is the article put into
oui State Constitution in 1884 by the
voice of 10000 voters of Maine.
1.-The manufacture of Intoxicating
liquors, not including cider, and the sale
and keeping for sale of Intoxicating
liquors, are and shall be forever pro-
hibttd. Except, however, that the sale
and keeping for sale of such liquors for
medicinal and mechanical purposes and
the arts, aud the sale and keeping for
sale of cider may be permitted under
such regulations as the legislature may
provide. The legislature shall enact
laws with suitable penalties for the sup
preston of the manufacture, sale and
kee ping for sale of Intoxicating liquors
with the exception herein specified"
The speaker read extracts from the
prohibitory law enacted in conformity to
this amendment TO the Constitution,
dwelling at some length upon these
provisions, the penalties for violation
ard the methods prescribed for their
enforcement. He then read the statutes
that prescribe the duties of the Govern
or, sheriffs and deputies and county
attorneys, and municipal Ulcers, includ-
ing extracts from the law providing for
the licensing of iuholders and victuallers
which no board of municipal officers in
Maine make any pretense of enforcing.
Now, said the speaker, with these
ample provisions for the strict enforce
ment of the laws of the State, the citizens
ought to be able to rest safely, confident
that these officers will do their duty.
No private citizen ought ever to be
Obliged to NEEDLE with the enforcement
Of law. But the law is not enforced.
1t is outrageously violated and the
culprits are not touched, except upon
rare, very rare occasions.
The average officer confesses his
neglect of duty, but upon the plea that
he is servant of the people, to carry
out the wish of those who voted for
him. And the wish OF the majority of
those who put him in office, aud of
those upon whom he depends for re-
election, is that he should not enforce
the liquor law. This is no valid excuse
for any officer to foist but the average
fflcer acts upon it.
Now in view of these facts what ought
the citizens to do?
"a Indicate your sentiments upon
the question of enforcing the liquor law.
Every citizen should let his position be
known to every other citizen.
CD Educate himself in all matters re-
lating to the question 80 far as possible,
that there may be intelligent action all
along the line. Educate the children
and youth also.
(3) Agitate the question In public
and IN private, not spasmodically, but
continuously through the years
(4) Cooperate with the officer In en-
forcing the law. Assure them personal
~ that If they will do their duty, they
will be sustained both while doing It.,
aud at the next election irrespective of
party or personal interests. And If all
this is done by the citizens of Skowhe.
gan who are interested in temperance,
it will not be long before the present
outrageous, shocking, criminal condition
will be thing of the past.
Mr.. Dary's address was thoughtful,
earnest and forcible presentation of an
important subject. The audience was a
large one completely filling the large
auditorium and the best attention was
given throughout by those in attendance.
Music was furnished by the choir, the
closing hymn being Coward Christian
Soldier" in which the audience joined.
The benediction was pronounced by