The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-03-17
WHY LAW ISN'T ENFORCED.
Secretary Berry of the Civic League Talks
of Prohibitory Law Violation.

Secretary Berry of the Civic League Talks
of Prohibitory Law Violation.
The outer and inner guards of Arcana
lodge of Good Templars were temporarily
excused from duty last evening, and no
password was demanded at the door.
The lodge room was wide open, the
public having been invited to attend
lecture by Rev. William F. Berry, pastor
of the Congress street Methodist church,
and secretary of the Christian Civic
League of Maine.
| A musical and literary entertainment
preceded the lecture. Rev. Mr.. Berry
spoke about an hour, first outlining the
object of organizing the civil league,
showing the need of organized effort on
the part of temperance people OF the
state, then relating come OF his expert
ences in attempting to secure enforce
lnent of the liquor law.
He said that if certain classes are to be
allowed to violate the law against the sale
of liquors. there is no reason why vlo-
lators of other laws should not expect to
escape punishment. The apathy so
manifest throughout the state in the mat
ter of enforcement Of the prohibitory law
tends to Iawlessness and breaking
down of the foundations on which our
republic rests.
More than 400 people in Maine have
paid the government tax imposed on
Iiouor dealers. In the city of Portland
are 1853 holders of these liquor tax re-
ceipts. The certificates show that their
holders have gone before an officer and
taken oath that they intend to violate
law laid down in the state statute books
and engrafted in the constitution.
Annie conditions are provided for the
suppression of the liquor traffic in Maine,
vet in 1896 an aggregate of $54, 900 was
collected in liquor fines In the courts
| of the state.
The speaker said that the attitude OF
the judiciary department, and the officers
| of the state, counties and municipalities
show that they are not in sympathy
| with the prohibitory law and do not in
tend to have it rigidly enforced, but are
willing that it shall be used solely to
further political and party ends.
| He added, however, that the citizens in
general are more to blame than the offi-
GERS for the lack of enforcement OF the
prohibitory law. Year after year the peo-
nile 90 on electing to office men who do
not intend to enforce the laws. Inc
cause is largely political one.
9i"It is almost impossible" said he,
ssto secure prosecution of liquor cases
from outside sources. Suppose this
lodge should organize an enforcement
committee. You would Immediately run
up against an obstacle that would pre-
vent your accomplishing anything. You
might pound that wall with your nsts
till they were reduced to jelly ana Jhen
continue to beat your heads against IL tlll
YOU had no heads left, but no impression
could be made upon it. The matter OF
enforcing the laws rests entirely with
the county attorney and the court officials,
and they would not tolerate any Interior
ence with their plans. You wouid ma
that these officials are not In sympathy
with stopping the liquor traffic.
The speaker then related some OF MS
experiences in the failure to secure the
punishment of violators of the liquor law
whom he had pointed out In certain
Maine cities. Throughout the state
he added, mo attempt is being MADE u
aggressively, persistently and faithfully
enforce the prohibitory law. The Judges
are exceedingly tolerant and easy. IL Is
not even low license system now In
vogue. If were elected mayor OF PORT
land, would either stand up, as hoose-
velt did, and insist on an impartial en-
forcement of the law, for else in taking
the oath of office decline to promise to
enforce the liquor law"
In conclusion, Mr.. Berry advised the
temperance men to join the civic league,
stand together.for goodimorals and good
government, attend the caucuses and in
sist on men of good character being
nominated, and if such men are not no.
, minated, then go to the polls and vote
for men whose character. is1aboye re-
proach. He belieyevd that the reform
cannot come through the prohibition
party That party has been for 20 years
waging a hopeless fight Independent
voting as members of the leading parties
will count for more toward bringing
holders should be men of good qualifca-
tions for the offices, as we'll as OF good
character. He would rather assist in
electing as mayor g man Of good sound