The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1902-03-13
skowhegan Mems Club

comparative merit of the various systems
of regulating the liquor traffic was dis
cussed at some length.
Advocates of the different systems had
been designated at former meeting as
follows: L. L. Walton, Esq, OF Prohi-
btion, S. W. Gould Esq., of License
and Rev. Fl. F. Huse of the Government
Dispensary.
Mr.. Gould was unable to attend be-
cause of professional business and Mr..
w, II. Fuller was, on motion of Il. T.
Patten, appointed in his place.
Mr.. Huse after giving some statistics
showing the proportions of the drink
evil In various countries, explained the
Dispensary system as established in
| Sweden, Norway, Russia and 10 the
states of North Carolina, South Carolina
and Washington. His principal argu-
ment was that 1t eliminated the political,
social and money-making features from
the traffic. 1t took 1t out of the hands
OF individuals and placed it in the hands
of government officials who were paid a
salary, whose action was perfunctory
and who had no interest In increasing
the sales or profits. He admitted that
the system had not worked to a nicely 10
Russia, South Carolina and Washington,
because politics and the desire to unduly
increase the public revenue entered into
it, but in North Carolina, where moral
influences had brought il into being, it
was working admirably.
Mr.. Walton advocated Prohibition as
the correct principle to apply to any evil
or violotion of law. We might as we'll
license gambling houses and houses of
i'll fame as liquor saloons. He criticised
Prohibition leaders for the course pur-
sued and for setting up Prohibition
party instead Of using their strength to
compel the two old parties to nominate
temperance men. Their action has had
the effect to digust men of the two lead
ing parties and bring dscredit upon the
cause. He spoke about the prevalence
Of the drink habit among judges, at
tornies at law and among men of other
professions and callings as a discourag-
ing condition. He blamed people for be-
ing very free with ccriticism OF
county attorneys and sheriffs and never
having word to say in commentator
when they didgood work in enforcing
the law. He read letter from former
resident of Maine, now In Massachusetts,,
setting forth the evils Of the license
system in that State, also one from an
attorney at law In South Carolina, who
denounced the Disponsary law of South
Carolina practically as the sum of all
vilanies.
Mr.. Fuller made brief remarks in
which he criticised the workings of Pro-
hibition In Maine, and also alluded to
arguments used in favor of the Govern
ment Dispensary, stating that under all
systems there were diff oulties. 10
Maine we cannot appreciate the diff
culties of the Dispensary system and in
South Carolina they are apt to think
that Prohibition works to charm In
Maine. "Distance lends enchantment
to the view" He regards the moral
force as of great Importance. Later, in
way of explaining the fact that he did
not vote on the question when the sense
Of the meeting was taken, he said that
he had studied the question for 30 years
: and was still unable to state what, in his
opinion, was the best way to regulate
the liquor traffic.
Mr.. F. W. Allen spoke in favor of the
License system, going over the argu-
ment usually made in regard to public
opinion, the use of liquors moderately
by so large part of our people and their
belief in their right to buy and use it in
this way. PUT the saloon over there, y
he said. and teach the youth the evil
by pointing out to him its effect upon its
patrons and the community.
Mr.. II. Il. Patten spoke briefly in way
of controverting the letter read by Mr..
Walton in regard to the working of the
State Dspensary in South Carolina,
which, he said, carried on the face of il
its partisan character. His information
from that State was widely different
from that in the letter read
Mr.. Lewis Anderson raised his voice
} earnestly in favor of Prohibition. He
read clippings from papers to show that
the License law was violated repeatedly
ana frequently. He related incidents in
his own experience in regard to enforce
ment of law here in years gone by and
10 the enforcement of the Sunday law In
the State Of New York. He also recall
ed the time when Prohibition was over
thrown in Massachusetts, and the multi
plication of liquor saloons and stores,
wholesale and retail, in Boston, at
that time and noted the effect upon the
streets and 10 the hotels and public
| places in that city. License is no RENE
dy for any evil It Is no way to prevent
crime to legalize it. Free rum is pre-
ferabe to legalzed liquor selling.
At the close Of the discussion, which
J was somewhat Informal, an expression
of members upon the issue was called
for. The first vote stood, 10 for Pro
hibition, for the Dispensary system
and for License with local option. This
indicated that fully third present did
not vote, and all were urged to vote.
The result of the last ballot was Il for
Prohibition, $ for Government Dispen-
sary and for License with local option.
At the close of the meeting President
Butler alluded to the vote in town meet
ing, the Monday previous, saying, |
presume you all voted for enforcement
of the prohibitory law, | did, and while
it is not for the club to act upon the
matter as club | hope all will indiyid-
ualy, stand by the officers of the town
and county in the prompt steps they
have taken in obedience to the action of
the town This remark of the president
was applauded with vigor, The next
meeting of the Club will be held, Friday
evening, the 2lst instant, when the war
in South Africa will be discussed. Mr..
r. r. Patten will speak for the Beers
and Lewis Anderson for England,