The Portland daily press., 1898-07-13
DEXTER is HAPPY.
Tae Fam War is Over and the Hotels are
Open.

a Dexter despatch says: The citizens
are much pleased over the fact that the
hotels have again been opened, after an
enforced suspension from business, result
ing from q temperance crusade started
several months ago by members of the
w. G. L q. The likelihood is that the
war between the hotel proprietors and
temperance people will be before long
ended.
a year ago. q careful canvass of the town
was made by those interested in temper
ance, the town being divided up into dis
tr1cts and each district assigned to some
one person to interview and secure the
signature Of each adult to paper call
ing for the better enforcement of the pro-
hibitory law The plan worked better
than was anticipated, and the citizens
generally signed the paper presented,
thinking that would no doubt end it.
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 a
better enforcement of the prohibitory law.
About 25 per cent of the voters by a ris-
ing vote expressed themselves fayorably
on such course being taken, and there
was no dissenting voice.
Later in the day, Rev. e. A. Mason of
the Baptist church. attempted to introduce
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 sselectman Walter Scott had prom
ised the temperance element that in event
of his reelection as member of the board
and the passing OF a vote for the better
enforcement of the liquor law, that he
would use his officers to discharge what
ever duties devolved upon him in this re-
spect. The first demand made upon the
board was that they post notices that ali
innkeepers and victualers must take out an
innkeepers, or victualer's license by April
l. This was accordingly done
The Exchange hotel was later searched
three times by several officers on warrants
sworn out by different members of the
w. c. T. u, and though each search
was conducted in thorough manner, the
officers found nothing.
Two weeks ago, Mrs. Albina B. Crock
ett brought civil suits against the proprie-
tors of the Exchange hotel and Dexter
mouse for not taking out an innAeeper' S
or victualer's license, the penalty being
$50, and the law further providing that
property may be attached in the sum of
800 in bringing suit.
The deputy sheriff called for and OBJ
tanned special bond before he proceeded
to discharge the duties required OF him.
He seized barge at one of the hotels and
hack at the other, both vehicles being
ones used in conveying passengers to and
from trains.
Following this act, all of the hotels
closed, and it 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
and as yet are not fully able to determine
whether the town will be held for damag-
es or not. The owners of the hotels de-
clared that they would not reopen their
houses If it is necessary to take out a
license, and Mrs. Crockett declared the
war will be waged as long as drop of
liquor is sold in town. Mrs. Crockett
has long been identified witt: the temper
ance element, but members of the W. G.
Il. U. criticize her action against the
hotels, which was taken, they gay, with
out the sanction of the union.
No travelling men visited Dexter for 10
days, because there was no place to stop
and show their samples, and the traders
constantly received letters of sympathy
from the drummers. Business In some
lines dropped off very rapidly, and had not
the business men of tho town got to-
gether and decided to take some action in
the matter. Dexter would have been out
of the world, SO to speak, in business
way.
A petition was circulated among the
business men, and of over 120 only seven
refu ed to sign. The petition urged the
hotel proprietors to open their houses to
the public and promised s. their influence
to have tbe.proceedings stopped. Accord.
ingly the LANDLORDS opened to the public,
Friday and have not yet kbeen rnolested.
Many members of the W. G. T. u. have
signified their intention of getting out OF
the organization, as they are out of sym.
pathy with Mrs. Crookett's S action.