Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-09-03
the PROXIES
continued from page ~

ness Is the last decade has largely in
creased III our cities. and that the neglect
20 ENFORCE the prohibitory law has he
come more iiagrant to all close observers.
ms however. is not because of the
people OF Maine becoming sick or tired OF
the prohibitory system. but simply be-
oa ; 'ney have been 50. many. times de-
ceiVed, and such fearful hypocracies have
neen fractised upon them that they have
IN d measure lost faith in nearly AN the
olncers OF the law and have become dis
courased and heartsick to a large extent
however, the people OF Cumberland
county determined. last year. that they
woulo make one mighty onslaught on the
.Ianlc ana so your humble servant was
placeu IN nomination and after a fairly
IouSht political battle was elected hish
sneriif OF Cumberland county by the votes
OF the people, almost entirely by the sys.
TEN OF stickers. The cry Immediately
went lorth by the calamity howlers that
nothing but ruin and devastation awaited
cumberland county under the reign of
the vigorous enforcement that Pearson
was sure to give it,
the cry was made that business wouId
De para!yZed. summer tourists and tray-
elers turned from our doors hotels would
be empty and consequently their doors
Wodlu nave to be closed on account of
Pine chi Drcement of the taking from them
the profit of the Illegal sales made at their
bars; bat now after seven months of Wig
porous enforcement, as much as il has
been IN my power with faithful officers
&.,aSSiSt me, We ind the condition of
|Nhinss exactly opposite to that which
Nas idnicated by the opponents of the
i'iaw ana the SympathiZerS OF the traffic.
After careful investigation among our
merchants. | find upon inquiry at one OF
our largest clothing establishments in
the city that trade Since January l has
F1ncTe1sed more than ~ per cent | also
hnd. upon investigation that one of the
hrSest retail boot and shoe dealers of our
city, which Is but fair comparison.
claims that his trade has increased NOR,
than 80 per cent during the last seven
months.
| l. also find upon investigation that the
landlords, the coal dealers, and every
GLASS OF trade except the saloon traffic,
have found that their collections have
been easier. the bills have been more
promptly paid, and their business more
thrifty than ever before known.
/ And now, ladies and gentlemen, is not
this logic? 1t is not well known to every
|. one of us who has arrived at the age of
understanding and discretion that the
artisan or any other individual receiv-
ing his pay for his hard labor and spend
ing any portion OF it at the illegal saloon
of the State of Maine must necessarily
compel any other branch OF legal business
| to suffer to just that extent? In this
comparison | have simply argued from
the basest standpoint that it is possible
| for the human mind to imagine.
We have simply argued from the finan-
| c!al end of the question. and We have
not taken into consideration the sorrow
the misery. the heartaches. the poverty,
|
| death that must follow in the wake vi
| this waste of resources that is taken from
| the people that can lily afford to indulge
| to any extent in the waste of their hard
| wages.
| Now refer right straight to the county
| and see what has been accomplished
| here. As a question of economics it can
| readily be seen by the taxpayers that the
| experience of Cumberland county in the
| first six months of my administration has
| proved beyond any question of doubt
| that enforced prohibition is one of the
| strongest levers that can be used to re
duce the burden of taxation on the people
| The prisoners in Cumberland county
| Jail through the closing of the saloons
have been reduced 81 per cent, thus max
ing saving TO the county in their board
| from Jam to July of more than 5000.
In saving this money to the county By
| reducing the number of prisoners. We
have sent at the same time fathers and
| sons back to the comfort and support
OF their families, and | believe there is
| no Speedier nor no surer way to relieve
| the fearful burden from the shoulders OF
| the people that they are bearing. today
| under extreme taxation. than to annihi-
late the liquor traffic and to close the ga
| looms: and to that end. ladies and gent G.
| men, | trust that my humble words may
| prove an inspiration to the people of the
Old Bay State.