The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1899-02-28
GOOD rempLARs HAVE a SCHEME.
Plan Proposed by which Liquor Law
Are To lie Enforced.

WaterviIle. February 27.-For long
time the Good Iemplars of Maine have
expressed dissatisfaction with the manner
In which Maiue's prohibitory laws have
been and are being enforced. Grand Chief
Templar Grant Rogers. lawyer and e4.
county attorney Of Sagadahoc has drawn
up hill to be presented 10 the state legis-
lature Tor immediate action.
The new bill provides as follows In its
first section:
Amy complainant who institutes pro-
ceedinqs against any person or persons for
violation of this law prohibiting tho sale,
keeping for sale or manufacture of intoxi-
eating liquor. may employ at his own ex-
pense any attorney to prosecute
said action 10 final judgment
MIR Rogers says that this bill will b.
| backed by petitioners signed by many
thousands Of the citizens OF the state.
With the blanS petitions that have been
issued has been sent a circular letter ex-
pianatory of the proposed nj easure.
Section one imposes line of not less
than $50 on any Judge or Justice who falls
to inquire of any prisoner brought before
him for Intoxicatlon, where he procured
the liquor and of whom
The other sections of the proposed meas
ure are sufficiently explained in the LITTER
that has been sent out;.
1t reads as fellows:
Dear Co workers.:
Find enclosed petition which please
have signed by as many adult citizens as
possible and return to me before March d,
Have your most influential citizens sign
first.
Many are deferred from signing com
plants and instituting proceedings be-
cause the county attorney can thwert
their efforts by mol pros or summary
disposition OF the cases when they reach
the Su RENE Judicial court. Section one
would obviate this difficulty.
Section two makes the Imprisonment
obligatory instead of discretionary. I'm :
| III isonment has far greater terror for the
guilty than fine. Under the present
ldisgracefnl system rs practicsd in nearly
every county, only those who cannot pay
| a small line once or twice year are sent
| to jail.
Section three imposes jail sentence
for keeping a liquor nuisance. section
| four makes II compulsory for the Judge or
justice TO inquire of every prisoner
| brought before him for intoxioation, Of
whom he procured the liquor, and to
issue a warrant against the victiinizer
Section six ana seven empo@ers citizens,
| equally with relatives with the right IL
notify sslectmen and liquor agents Of the
! intenperats habits of any person.
AT the last Grand Lodge Session OF
Maine Good Iemplars 1t was votsd thnt
every subordinate lodge appoint COM
niittee to WORK for the election of honest,
fearless municipal and other official
Churches and all temperance organiza
| lions are earnestly requested TO cooperate
| in this work of temperance anu Christian
men should TO man, attend the
| primaries where most of our elections are
practically determined-They should go
as well organized as the ring snd work
| for the nomination or honest men.
Give the men who stand for civic
rig hteousness tho preference in business
and at the polls This Is practical temper
ance and will count more than mere