Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-09-27
lie. the LAW be Enforced.


day morning contains suggestions 'hd'
are wsil worthy Of consideration. There
is no stronger or more sincere friend |
E Of temperance in the state OF Maine
tnan the able gentleman who presiueS
over our Superior court. II has some
times been unfortunate for the cause |
/. that conspicuous temperance men,
have not been temperate men. Judge
I Hall is both. He points out weak
: ness in our existing law that has done
( more to undermine it in practicai
apera son than all the assaults OF its
enemies viz. it's failure TO make just
distinctions between offenders.
Certainly the respectable druggist.
who strictly confines himself to the
reasonable requirements of his bust
ness should NOT be included in the cat
egory with the low grog shop keeper,
. who thrives upon debauched appetites,
who brings untold suffering and hard
ships upon innocent women and chill
dren. and who fills the prisons, the
filIu~ HOUSES anu NV NNIi4''Ni 10 '-N''
The victims of his unholy traffic. Many
citizens who are sincere friends OF
temperance. who believe firmly in the
prohibitory law, and it's rigid enforce
rnent. do not think ii is just that the
druggist who sells a mother a little
alcohol for a night lamp, should be in
.iicted on his internal revenue tax, and
subjected TO the same penalties mat
are meted out TO the professional rum
seller. To ensure the satisfactory en-
forcement of any law it is necessary
that there should be behind it a united
and healthy public sentiment not only
demanding of the officials that they
should do their full duty, but also en-
csuraging and sustaining them in all
their honest efforts to faithfully fulfill
their official obligations. All true
friends of temperance should look at
this great question, and the inherent
difficulties il presents, from the stand
point Of practical results, and should
desire TO strengthen rather than
weaken that united and healthy pub
lie sentiment which is 50 vital to any
permanent success.
Ever since the great cause of tenn
perance was first advocated in our
State. the journal has been its constant
friend and supporter. 1t has helped
fight the battle by which every statute
for rho st,ppreSSion of tho dram. Shpp
was carried through the legislature of
Maine 1t gave its answering sup
port to the constitutional amendment.
1t believes that Prohibition has in the
main been a success. 1t is true that il
has not wholly stopped the sale of
intoxicating liquors: but it has largely
restricted and minimized it. No prac-
teal temperance advocate ever ex-
with ntemperance. There are Of
tenders against all laws. and probably
will continue to be so long as human
appetites and passions prevail in in
iividual cases over judgment and con-
science. This. however. is no argu-
ment for the repeal of All laws. II is
rather one for their vigilant and I'M
compromising enforcement. If there
are features of the prohibitory law that
tend to weaken IL. lct them be
strengthened. but there should be no
backward movement or shadow Of
turning on the main question.
are given a discretion in the matter OF
imposing sentences. ana it is one which
should he exercised carefully and
wisely IN full knowledge Of the facts
pertaining To each individual case. The
prime object should be to suppress the
dram shop ard insure the greatest
possible degree of practical temper
anee. When the sheriff and the county
attorney have secured conviction,
they have performed their duty in any
one Instance. Further responsibility
rests with the court.
There is no question but what prohi-
bition has worked we'll in most of our
country towns 1t is in our cities
that it's violation has been the most
frequent and fragrant. Unquestionably
public sentiment is calling for more
vigorous enforcement of the law in
these communities. Officials upon
whom fails the burden of such enforce
ruent have no option in the matter if
they faithfully discharge their duty.
They were not responsible for the ex-
istence of the law. but the people have
placed directly upon them the respon-
sibility for its execution. They will be
recreant to their official obligations if
they endeavor to evade such RESPONSE
bility. and worthy of the severest pub
lie condemnation if they are guilty Of
practically multiplying the organic law
OF their State. If there are weak
places in that Law. they should be
strengthened by its friends: for what