The Worcester spy., 1899-07-29
WITHOUT A RIVAL.
Clinton is Second to
Worcester in the
Sale Of Liquor.
NO-LICENSE PEOPLE INACTIVE.
The Traffic Brings Many
Dollars to the Towns
Business.
NO-LICENSE PEOPLE INACTIVE.

Clinton, July 2S-This town is the
headquarters of the liquor business in
this part of the county. In the dispens-
ing of wet goods it has no rival in the
county, in fact except Worcester.
The temperance cause has steadily de-
clined here es the liquor interests have
grown powerful, until today the an
nouncement is made that the once
powerful Clinton Temperance Associ-
ates are going to abandon their head
quarters in Bank block, where the or
ganization has held meetings for long
time.
The Clinton Temperance associates
have been in existence for 16 years.
They once had $50 members, and in
times past have contributed greatly to
the no-license movements that have
from time to time shut the saloons out
for periods of years.
For several years, however, the men,
bership has been gradually failing, until
now, although there are at least 70
names on the rolls, only small propor-
tion of this number are sustaining
members.
George P. French is president of the
associates. He attributes the decline of
the society to lack of interest and some
what to mistaken method of fighting
the license men. Mr.. French holds that
1t is not sufficient to wage the battle
for no-license a week or two before
election, by means of Sunday meetings.
He thinks the work should be main
tained all the year around
President French does not intend that
the associates shall lay down the sword
altogether. The members will assemble
in meetings from time to time. In the
near future there may be an increase in
interest, which will warrant engaging
headquarters once more. Active temper
ance work will be continued by the w.
c. t. u, of which Mrs. Hattie NJ Saw
yer is president. This organization is
at the zenith of its influence now. I'm
der Mrs. Sawyer's administration it has
prospered greatly. The campaigns
which are regularly conducted before
the spring elections will remain in
charge of the Clinton Temperance
union, which has D. I. Ingalls, for its
president. The Peoples Church of Christ
| may make an effort to secure the fur
niture which belongs to the associates.
The st. Andrews Mutual Benevolent
society may decide to lease the rooms.
| These organizations have been tenants
| Jointly with the associates.
A gentleman who has been long an
observer of the struggle between license
and no-license in Clinton said this
afternoon that the real cause Of the de-
cline of interest in temperance is be-
cause this town has a monopoly of the
| liquor traffic. This traffic is immensely
profitable, by the trade it brings to
town from outside communities, and its
influence is far reaching. Clinton is the
only town this side of Worcester for
miles around that sells the stuff. Lam
| caster does not, Leominster does not
and Fitchburg does not
Hundreds of Fitchburg people come
here every week to buy stuff to drink.
Some of them leave money for other
things. Every third or fourth man
whom the police arrest for drunkenness
halls from Fitchburg, and about one in
seven from Leominster. Occasionally a
drunk from Worcester strays here, but
not often.
Brock & Nawn, who have secured a
stripping contract on the Wachusett
reservoir, which means the removal of
3,250,0O0 cubic yards of earth, are get
ting ready to begin work. They are
going to employ at least ten and per-
haps dozen narrow-g gauge locomotives
in hauling the dirt to the north dixie,
where it will be dumped to make a
fortress between the water of the great
reservoir and the town.
1t will be a week and perhaps longer
before the firm gets down to serious
business. Just now few men are en-
gagged in making a roadbed from a
point above the Cunningham place to
the tracks Of the Massachusetts Central
Railroad, When this work is done, a
narrow gauge railway system will be
constructed. There will be main line
branches will radiate in all directions
The maximum number of men like
ly to be employed is 1000. minimum
of 500 or 600 men will be at work before
the end Of the season. Brock & Nawn
have until 1900 to do the work. The
greater, part of it will be accomplished
next season.
The Frappe, Club went to Sterling
camp ground this afternoon, and de-
feated the camp team 23 to in six
innings.
Hon. Lucius Field, who has been quite
III, is said to be much improved to-
day.
William E. Newhall, janitor of the
town hail. is passing his vacation with
friends in New Hampshire.
Fmothy j., Flannery was charged
TINS morning. in the district court, with
evading a car fare on the Worcester
and Clinton Street Railway. Flannery
pleaded not guilty. The case was con
tinued until tomorrow.
John Bluite said he was guilty of
drunkenness. Judge Stone continued
the case two weeks
There Will be realistic ball game be-
tween the doctors and the LAWYERS at
the field day Of the Y. M. c. A.. Aug.
a. '' IA"e'