The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1901-01-10
Onion Temperance Meeting.

the Methodist, Congregational, Univer
salist and the two Baptist churches
united to listen to an address by Rev. W.
F. Berry, secretary of the Maine Civic
League. The pastors of these churches
were present and took part 10 the exer-
cises, Rev. DR.. Spencer presiding, and
there WAS congregational singing with
music on the organ by Mrs. c. NJ. Lam
bert. The audience was large one.
Mr.. Berry divided his subject into two
parts, the general work 10 the State and
the special work 10 Skowkegan. He
spoke of the work as non denominations
and uon-partisan.
The work had been In the face OF
many difficulties aud great apathy In the
beginning but conditions have very
: -
great strides hsd beer FFsen
and the Civic League had been an i'm
portant factor in the work. He alluded
to work In Portland, Augusta, Water.
vile, Calais, Gardiner, East Livermore,
also in Washington and York counties.
There has been decided improve
ment In the attitude of the supreme
courts In enforcement of law. Judge
Emery had given jail sentences in several
cases in Aroostook county, Judge
Powers one in Oxford county and Judge
Wiswell gave the jury In York county
to understand he should give jail
sentences whenever asked to do so by
the county attorney.
No one can say thing in favor of the
business of the saloon keeper. 1t is
evil in every way. No one knows this
better than the saloon keeper himself
Sanction of the evil by law cannot cure
it. License cannot lessen the sale. The
State of Maine cannot afford to put the
sanction of law upon the traffic. The
people of Maine want enforcement of the
law not resubmission. The prohibtory
amendment of the constitution was pass
ed by a larger vote than any other
to put prohibition into the constitution
but its resubmission would be very I'M
wise movement for the dominant party
Of the State.
In Skowhegan there are five saloons,
three hotels, three druggists who pay a
U. S. license. Druggists do not need to
pay license to do legitimate business.
They have right to keep liquors for
compromising medicines without the
license. The saloons and hotels are open,
wiIfu, persistent, defiant violators of law
Why do not officers enforce the law :?
They can do it to the same extent they
enforce other laws. Many say the
people don't want it enforced. How do
officers know this? Has the people
pettioned them not to enforce law or
have public meetings been held where
this action has been takenp
The saloon keeper and his sympa-
thzers are exceedingly active. They
are constantly at work upon officials
urging them to let them alone. In some
counties nearly all leading lawyers are
retained by liquor sellers to urge upon
county attorney and court to make it
just as easy for their clients as possible.
Officers of the law are human. The
friends of enforcement of law should
make their influence felt aud stand be-
hind the officers of the law in the courts.
The speaker made computation that
the hotels and saloons take $40.0 900 a
year in this town for liquor; $4,000
might be fairly given as the sum that
was legitimately spent in the support of
the families Of these dealers and thus
entered into the channels OF trade, while
the balance, 1874 900, was lost to the
community and much worse than lost.
1t was diverted from legitimate trade to
the tills OF the rumsellers.
A movement was inaugurated to
organize the temperance forces In town
and nearly all the men and women pres.
ent rose in response to an invitation for
those to do 80 who were willing to unite
In judicious movement for advance
meut of temperance and better enforce
ment of the prohibitory law.
The pastors present were called upon
by Mr.. Berry and each spoke briefly.
Rev. Mr.. Kimball spoke of the i'm
portance of organizing true and
genuine temperance sentiment as a
nucleus for work In the future
DR.. Spencer said he hated the rum.
sellers work. He tried hard to love the
man but it was hard work. We don't
need him In the town. He believed in
organization.
Rev. Mr.. Adams said he hated lquor
selling with perfect hatred. He was
shy Of public sentiment in this town. II
all were like the people here it would be
different. Was ready to do anything
possible.
Rev. Mr.. Markley was tired of crit.
cism of officers by those who do nothing
themselves. The success OF any move
ment depends largely upon leadership.
Thought there Is much latent sentiment
Ia town in favor of temperance. The
fundamental difficulty is the drink habit.
Rev. Mr.. Huse said he thanked God
for the Secretary of the Civic League.
There was opportunity for heroism in