The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1899-02-20
CIVIC LEA0uE.
ITS Methods and. Plans Explained by
Rev. w. #. Berry.

1t is q ti, 800 pastorate. one Of the very
best In the Maine conference. that Rev.
Wilbur n. Berry Of the Congress street
Methodist church, is giving mp to accept
the Office of field secretary Of tie Maine
Christian Civic League
Some of his church friends here and In
other parts Of the State have expressed
fear that he Ia embarking on . sea of un-
certainty, and that after brief
trial might the league lind
itself without the wherswithaI to hire
secretary, and he be left without an OPP
portunity to earn . salary. But IL Is I'M
necessary for them to waste any time or
energy pondering over that thought, for
Secretary Berry has good business head
and he Is not rushing into his new Office
without having weighed we'll the pros and
cons. Besides, In case there should hap
pen to be q slip In the leagues plans In
the near future, II Is not unlikely that
the Methodist conference would be gla
to welcome him back to its fold where be
has been SO prominent and conscientious
n worker.
Six months ago this matter was first
brought to his consideration. Rev. DIR.
Dunn, secretary of the Maine Baptist,
was in correspondence with him rela-
ton to the Christian Civic League. and
Rev. Mr.. Berry expressed the opinion
that II was high time for the league to
etldown to solid work. II 1t ever expect
ed to accomplish anything. DIR. Dunn
wanted to know IL Mr.. Berry would &C.
cept the field secretaryship IL such an
office were to be created, and devote his
whole time to the work.
Then followed a discussion az TO the
probability, of making the leagus self
supportfugs and Mr.. Berry, who held the
office of secretary, replied that II the
league could be put on q firm financial
foundation, and the officers desired his
services he would take up the duties of
ltld secretary and do bic best to carry
out the aim of the organization. He esti-
mated that 81 600 year would be nsces-
sary TO pay the salary, travelling expenses
clerk hire ami ONCE rent, and suggested
that the most busipess-like method would
be to secure n guaranty fund covering
that amount for tive years
Rev. G. 4 Owen. pastor OF the Baptist
church at Houlton, becams interested ~
the project and he immediately set about
securing pledges. He and the officers of
| the league have met with generous re-
sponses in their solicitations, and are firm
| in the belief that the requisite amount
will be raised before the first of May, 1t
which time the field secretary Is to begin
his duties
At their December meeting, held In
| Portland, the directors created the Office
of field secretary and elected Mr.. Berry.
He took the matter under adjustment,
pending the efforts of the solicitors to
raise the guaranty fund. The matter was
| hanging fire till this week, when MIR.
Berry received from this official board of
| the Congress street church notics of II
unanimous request TO the conference TO
a turn him to the passionate This
brought the league question TO head.
lie decided TO accept the new office, and
Immediately notihsd the ohursh board
and the league officers of his decision.
In response to reporters inquiry
Secretary Berry said very few definite
plans In reference TO the league WORK
had been made. He might establish
heaquarters In Portland, but more proba-
bly, would locate In Watervi!le, Ii would
be necessary for him TO keep an office
clerk. to attend to correspondence, as tho
greater part Of his time would probably
be taken up In field work in various
parts of the Stale.
lie has become strongly attached to
Portland ana his passionate here. and II Is
with keen regret that he Is to sever his
pleasant relationship with the Met odist
conference OF Maine. hut he is very en-
thusiastic over the new work before him,
which Is not very far removed from the
church work In which he has SO long been
engaged
7Ihe leagues AIM. said he, sis to
educate the people in all that pertains TO
good citizenship; TO arouse anu maintain
throughout the State n reverence for law .
to-secure the enactment OF the best possi-
BILE laws. their impartial execution and
the choice of competent officials TO TINT
end. IL Is non-partisaD and non sectarian.
H.. t.l .ef a.
the organization of local leagues in all the
large centres Auxiliary leagues are al-
ready in existence in some parts OF An
droscoggin, Waldo, Somerset, Washington
and Aroostook counties.
Through these local leagues, and kin
dred organizations, We shall aim to
work, as endeavors In the line indicated
can best be concentrated in local fields.
1.-THE 1eid secI etary will not be expected
to assist in raids ON liquor saloons, as
some may suppose The league does not
believe In that kind of tactics. II does
not regard Its duty as that Of u pfosecut-
ing organization, but its aim Is TO work
out proper observance OF all the stat
utes thro the prboper auugthorities IL
Is not simply a temperance organization,
but it seeks t) foster good citizenship
and the enforcement of other laws, closely
allied TO the prohibitory liquor law, which
are Is indefferntly observed In this State.
OF course the auxiliary leagues may pursue
sucn methods to secure emf orcement as
may seem expedient in their particular
fields, and the parent organization will be
expected to render them every possible
aid.
"Will the league officers do any lobby
ing at the legislatuteg" was asked.
NO" Mr.. Berry replied. 1--WE have
laws enough. What is needed most is
an effort to stimulate the people 70 de-
mand better enforcement of existing
laws When the existing laws have been
impartially enforced, 1t will be time
enough to begin an agitation in behalf of
more laws
SHOOTING ACCIDENTAL