Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-02-22

The chief hearing the day was that
before the temperance committee "
the much advertised proposition To- sub
nit to the people Of Maine the question
of repeating the prohibitory amend
ment added to the Constitution in 1854.
The hearing was in the hall Of the
House which was packed to overflow
ing all the afternoon and evening. A
large majority of those present were
ladies and the white ribbon of the w.
c. T. L. was much in evidence. In
front seat was Mrs. l. NJ. y. Stevens
of Portland, the president of the Ma
tional w c. T. T.. with her We're Mrs.
Hannah J. Bailey of Winthrop Miss
Cornelia Dow. the daughter Of the man
who is called the father Of the Maine
law, and many other well known ladies'.
The friends of prohibition We're there
in force and We're very generous in
their applause for the speakers. Sew
eral time Kisses We're heard when re-
submission speaker made point.
The case for the re-SubmisSionistS
was opened by Representative Davis of
Waterville. who had presented one of
the resolves to the House He deciar-
ed that the prohibitory law is fail
ure and a farce and that the people
should be allowed the opportunity TO
say whether they want continuation
Of it, He was followed by o. II. Her
sey, Esq. of Portland. and j. II. Mont
gomery ESQ. of Camden. both urging
that the present law is not enforced be
cause the people do not want II en-
forced. that it puts premium on as
honesty and Hypocrisy and does not
promote the cause of temperance. rms
| side of the case occupied but httie tiihe
| and most of the afternoon was devoted
| 10 the arguments of the remOnStfantS
| against resubmission whose case was
conducted by Mrs. l.. NJ. y. stevens
| She introduced as the first speaker I.
| A. Caine OF West Kennebunk. the pies
| emf head of the Maine organization OF
Good Templars. Mr.. Game was very
| AGGRESSIVE. and seemed to be counting
| troublo and the hearing was cniiVened
| by some sharp tits between him ana
| Representative Kelley of Lewiston Il
| member of the committee and pro-
bounced resubmiSSionist. Mr.. heiiey'
though an ardent temperance man mas
lost all faith in prohibition and pelieNes
in local option: making it certain that
there will be a minority if not a ma
iorty report from the committee Law
oring resubmission. He sharply cross
questioned most of the speakers on tiie
other side and many of his questions
proved embarrassing to thehi'
Mr.. Game was followed by ReV' w.
f. Berry OF Waterville, the leauei VI
the civic League work. He spoke vi
his own experiences and stoGtiy uc
Tended the present law. The pronipi
tory law. he declared, is not fallute'
but the executive and judicial adh'l'iS
tration of the State and counties iid
been a failure. The people aie 49,
demanding strcter enforcement az
are getting it in most sections. u,
had no doubt the people would Sl'ii'
by a vast majority for the prohipi' :.
law were the question resuhmitieu' -
did not want the expense ana az
of a campaign. particularly AT this ~
when the prospect for strict eliiol -
ment is so good. He declared II o"i
be suicide for the Republican pa :!
Maine to take a backward step -
matter. He was followed by no ..
Purinton of Waterville. VINO ue'
that the people want enforcement
resubmisSion. ia,
Mrs. Stevens then spoke for l"' go
organization of which she is tii'