The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1901-04-18
THE MAINE GOOD TEMPLARs.

Grand Lodge in Session in Portland.
The 43d annual session of the Grand
Lodge of Good Templars convened in Mys-
tic hall, Portland, at 10 A. NJ. April 10th,
Grand Chief Templar U. A. Caine Of West
Kennebunk, presiding About 90 delegates
were present. Harry F. Nesmith was ap-
pointed chief marshal and Miss Nellie G.
Guilford assistant. The grand lodge degree
was conferred on 16 past officers of subordi-
nate lodges.
The Chief Templar then delivered his an
nual address. Under the head of "Temper-
ance Legislation Reviewed" he said:
Thank goodness that the Maine legisla-
ture has closed for two years and their
works do follow them We have no reason
to complain. Thanks to the wise temper
ance committee (Kelley and Ross excluded)
we were enabled to hold our own. We gain
| ed nothing, for we asked nothing as an or
| der. The State constables are gone and il is
an open question whether they were ever
any great benefit to the cause.
Bro. PearSon'S one per cent. beer was de-
| feated, but | am not sure but what it was
| best, when we see that every resubmiSSiOn-
st worked for its adoption. Innkeepers
are still under possible bonds and licenses
in spite of great legal talent employed be-
Il y
Rev. W. +. Berry has been consistent,
| persistent worker Tor principles of temper
ance. His work was not a Haunting OF the
society he represented, or a scheme to get
| brilliant newspaper reports and compll-
| ments. Our order was represented at every
| hearing of any consequence.
| The druggist bill was hardly worth motto
ing and was UNANIMOUSLY defeated when 1t
was laid over for two years.
Kelley of Lewiston, Davis Of Waterville,
Staples of Knox county were the represen-
i tativeS.o of the liquor legislation. We want
to predict now that these gentlemen have
reached the zenith of their political power
| Their sentiments would be appreciated IN
Kentucky, the distillers' heaven, but are
rather too low for progressive, well edu-
Gated people such as Maine can boast. T. ii.
| Wilson OF Brunswick is another man that
| temperance voters would do well to avoid
| We We're disappointed when we heard
| Gorham II. Weymouth of Biddeford make
| a plea Tor reSubmlsSlon.
| However, we made a notable victory.
| Twenty-Five to three in the Senate; 81 to 81
| in the House; as | said, we have no reason
! to complain, only we will remember these
men in the future, and see to it that they are
replaced by those better educated in moral
ethics. Taking power from the Judges was
reported upon adversely. We expected it
would be laid over, as no organized effort
was made to support IT,
| 1t is proved every day in York, Cumber-
land, Washington and other counties that
there is law enough to restrict the liquor
traffic.
Let well enough alone Hold on to what
| we have.
The Republican party supported every
temperance measure, while the Democratic
| representatives were all but a unit for in
| temperance.
Hon j. H. Manley supported every tenn
perance measure with the party whip, and
we thank him for his influence. We are
| free from legislation for two years. Resub-
| mission or no reSubmisslOn Will be the
great plank for the next State platforms.
| If we enforce the laws no resubmlSSlOn
will win, otherwise the issue is doubtful.
Commence work at home now. Keep at
| it. Enforce the laws you have. 1t can be
| done. You are the one to do 1t.
| / would recommend an Electoral Superin-
! tendent be elected at this session for three
years, to follow the trend OF public senti-
ment, to keep in touch with legislators, and
party leaders, to watch the new liquor
| organizations, to answer unfair press COM
ments, to prepare IN systematic manner Tor
| the hearings of 1903 The superintendent
to serve without pay; actual expenses to be
| borne by the Grand Lodge. l should say
make an appropriation each year. $40
would cover 1901,-this would be largely
for postage.
The Civic League and W. c. 7. U. have
adopted plan similar to what recon-
mend, and other orders will do so. Leaving
| the matter in the hands OF one person and
holding him responsible will accomplish
great deal of good.
Grand Secretary George E. Bracket sub
mitted his annual report of which the fol-
| lowing AN abstract:
Present number of lodges, 157; total pay
ing membership, 5,425; number of members
| in lodges not reported, 1,4oo; total member
| ship, 6,S25.
| Cash received from taxes April II to Oct.
| l, 1900, Sss4.i3; cash received from taxes
Oct to April q, 1901, SS61 80 total, 81, 145
cash received for supplies, Sl7S.14: cash
| paid and turned in to the treasurer, ST.
| g23S9
| The largest lodge is Brooks, No. "a, in
| Waldo county, with St. Croix, No. 81, sec
ond.
Lodges have been instituted since the last
| annual session at Pine Point, Matinicus,
| West Lubec, Alton, Bangor, Avon, Addi-
| son, EdmundS, Auburn, Columbia and
| Jonesboro. Lodges have been reorganZed
! at Kingfield and Whitneyvlle.
| Grand treasurer o. 5. Norton then re-
ported on the financial standing, as follows:
| Total receipts for the year ending April &,
, 1901, 81, ,232.65; expenditures for the year,
| $2,176.41.
Mrs. Z. P. Alexander, the grand superin-
| tendent of Juvenile Templars, read very
interesting report, which showed that at the
| first of the year there were 165 temples in
tne STATE, WHICH HuiuUci Has ueen aug ulneHt-
| ed since. During the year seven counties
were visited and II temples inspected. A
| visitation was also paid to five district
lodges, l3 temples were organized and three
| reinstated. At the present time there are
| $50 members in good standing. The report
| was accepted and referred to the committee
on Juvenile Templar work.
At the afternoon session the standing
committees presented their reports. A fra
ternal message was received from the grand
| lodge of Massachusetts, in session at Low
| ell. The reports of all the committees
showed general advance, and a renewed
interest in the cause.
In the evening an entertainment was
| given by the juvenile Templars. Alfred
| St0ddard was the presiding officer and the
hall was crowded. After prayer by Rev.
William Moore of Kennebunk very inter-