The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1902-09-18
tFor the RgPoRTER.)
The Situation as Relates to the
Enforcement of the PrOhibi-
tory Law

The returns OF the recent election in
our county and state demonstrate GER
tain things beyond question:
1st. The temperance voters achieve
results when they throw their votes for
the most acceptable candidate of one of
the two leading parties, far more effec-
lively than by voting Third Party or
Prohibition ticket. The result from
their voting the Third Party ticket is
seen In Cumberland county in the divi-
sion Of the temperance vote and the cleo
ton of Democrat sheriff whose recent
public utterances indicate he will make
no attempt whatever to enforce the law.
On the other hand, in AndrOscoggin
county, Rev. Mr.. Cummings, Repuoli.
can, and for rigid enforcement, is elect
ed by the union of temperance forces.
while In Somerset county a Republican
majority Of 1900, on Governor and other
officers, is more than wiped out In the
vote for sheriff and the selection of Mr..
Lang, Democrat, pledged to enforce
ment, and supported by Third Party
men and boiting Republicans. In at
least three other counties, the results
have indicated that when temperance
men join hands in favor of the candidate
of one of the leading parties, they make
their power felt and are dangerous OPP
ponents.
2nd. Mr.. Lang is elected in our
county because it WAS believed by many
Republicans that enforcement OF the law
was more certain under his administra-
tion than under that of the Republican
candidate. Had 1t not been for the be-
lief, on the part OF many OF the supper
tiers of Mr.. Harding, that IL was his
honest intention, IL elected, to faithfully
observe his oath of office, Mr.. Lang's
majority would have been very much
larger than it was.
3rd. The people are tired of non-en-
forcement OF the law, and out of all
patience with officers who make no at
tempt to keep their solemn oaths Of
office.
4th. An enforcement of the law sui
ficient only to make 1t, so far as enforced
simply low license, and requiring pay
ment of from one to three hundred dol
lars a year by dealers who, under IL
cense law, would have to pay at least
one thousand dollars, is In no sense sat-
isfactory.
ular will, no officer, Republican or Dem
ocrat, heretofore or this year elected,
will, II possessed OF either honesty of
purpose, political sagacity, or regard
for the wishes Of the people, pay any
attention to the claim that the people do
not desire the law enforced, or do any
thing but his straightforward, manly
duty.
9Th We believe the following sugges-
lions are pertinent:
The purpose OF the prohibitory law is
to prohibit, not to collect revenue. I'm
prisonment Is provided, ard intended by
the law, for those who evidently mean
to continue, persstently, In the business
of selling intoxicating liquors as bever-
age. Fines are to be inflicted, 10 addi-
tioD, In aggravated cases. They are to
be imposed, without imprisonment, only
In cases where the circumstances indi-
cate thatIthey will accomplish the object,
prohibition, from the fact that the re
spondents are so affected by being
brought into court, and punished as
criminals, that they purpose hereafter
to conduct themselves properly. Any
other construction OF the law Is unques.
ably contary to Its provisions and mani
fest intent.
7th. This prohibitory law is on our
statute books. Being there, the people
see no good reason why the officers
should not strive to enforce 1t. They
realize that they, not the officers, are
the sovereigns, and when they want 1t
no longer they have the power to re-
peal 1t. LAW