The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1900-09-15


might dislike to see the system disturbed.
It was noted that In Cum berland coun-
ty the election of Mr.. Pearson may some-
what disturb the normal condition OF the
liquor interests under the prohlbitory
law, and so modify to some extent public
sentiment on license.
Hon. Hiram KnoWlton of this city said
that the lesson Of the recent election, es-
pecially in Cumberland county, Indicates
clearly that the people intend to take a
part in the selection and election of
county officers, and act in accordance
with their con viotions without regard to
dicta god. sit is evident" continued
Mr.. Knowlton, 'that public officials are
to account for their official acts, that
officers are not lords but servants, and
that they Will be called to account for
their trusts
''In regard to the matter of re vision
of the laws regulating taxation, con-
slider it very important subject that
needs to be considered carefully by COM
petent persons. All property should con-
tribute It's just proportion toward the
public expenses Taxation is not bur-
den but payment for which the public
derive ample compensation by way OF
schooling, protection of property, support
of highways and all other matters of pub
lilo interest.
g AS to the suggestion concerning the
p~ohibitory law, believe that all laws
should be promptly quietly and impair
italy enforced. All criminal laws are
prohibitory. There should be the same
care and discretion used in the enforce
ment of one as another. / do not think
that thu prohibitory law, SO called,
should be any more rigidlys enforced
than the laws against other otfenses. /
am not aware that any considerable
number of our best ana most considerate,
as we'll as intelligent citizens, are desir-
GUS OF any change in the present prohibi-
tory law. But the public generally, with
reason, are dissatisfied not to say dis
gusted, with the manner in which 1t has
in many instances been enforced. IN
doubleday the law prohibits TO a great ex-
tent, which is evidenced by the effort Of
those engaged in the liquor traffic to have
1t abolished or modified. 1t does not
seem to me wise or profitable to agitate
the matter OF a change in any respect In
the law until it has been fairly and prop
erIy enforced, and the result OF its en-
forcement canvassed as bearing upon the
question of crimes and pauperlsm. The
people generally are not satisfied with
the manner in which it has been admin
istered. Laws enforced by those who
themselves are known to be yiolators, as
a rule, lose the beneficial effect they
should have on the public.
! g Public officials in all stations are more
carefully watched by tbs Intelligent por
ton of the community than is general ly
supposed. No man who is himself vio-
lator Of the law should be entrusted
with It's enforcement, as such practice
tends to Iawless ness,
''In regard to the matter of fees, have
always been 0 opposed to them, except SC
far as is necessary in the prosecution Of
civil matters. In my Judgment the mat
ter of compensation of public officers
needs careful and honest examination
with a proper regard to the Importance
Of the service rendered.
Hon. George p. Wescott said: "In re
lation to a resubmission Of the prohibit
ton constitutional amendment the senUi-
ment OF Maine is probably against it, IN
the smaller towns, which contain the
bulk of the population, and for 1t In the
cities and larger towns. see no reason
why 1t is not proper to resubmit the
question to the public and let it decide.
81 am in favor of a revision of the
system of taxation to equalize the burden
on all classes OF property, but by a revls.
ion OF rates, not of laws. The corpora
tions represented by me are wilingEto
stand a material Increase In their taxa
tion., if necessary, to provide money for
the state"
Richard Webb, member-elect OF the
next legislature, said II doubt very
much If public sentiment through the
state is favorable TO a resubmissiOn of
the prohibition constitutional amend
ment. The cities and larger towns would
probably vote Eyes on the proposition
but the smaller towns, holding a ma
jority OF population, would be strongly
opposed In the country districts the
prohibitory Jaw works satisfactorily, as
rule, AMI on the whole it is doubtful II a
change there would be desirable. 1t Is
to be remembered that favorable vote
upon resubmission on the prohibitory
amendment would not wipe out the H.
quor statutes now on the books, though
1t would be the probable fOrerunner of
such change"
Representative Frederick V. Chase
returned to the next house: II supported
a revision of the taxation laws in the last
house and have not changed my attitude
on the question. A revision which Will
more equitably adjust the burden of tax
alton resting upon various classes of
property is generally favored, apparently,
by the people of thu state and 1 think