The Tucson citizen., 1902-06-06
OUR PROHIBITION FRIENDS.

The loss Of personal liberty in a pro-
hibition community is almost compen-
sated for by the quantity Of fun that
the effort to enforce the law creates AL
though States like Maine and Kansas
ere filled with fanatics and disagree
able people who are eternally neglect
ing themselves In order 10 regulate
their neighbors. there is always plenty
of amusement for those who are not
disposed to take life too seriously.
Just now there is a mixture of fun
and indignation In Cumberland county,
Maine. and all over that perennial Gre
ator of trouble, prohibition. The
sheriff of Cumberland county is cler-
ical person, and he is up against the
usual difficulty in enforcing the law,
The name of the reverend sheriff is
Pearson. He has discovered that il is
passing strange what a hold the de-
mon rum has upon poor, frail human
ity. Every truly good Prohibitionist
knows that wine is a mocker and
strong drink IS a monster, and that
nearly all the fine old stuff is a
blooming fraud. Every Prohibition
ist is well aware that at the last 1t
biteth like a serpent and stingeth like
an adder The dear Prohibs know
that they that tarry long at the wine
have sorrow. and they that go to seek
mixed wine have redness of eyes. But
wine when it is red. even when 1t CIV
eth its color to the cup.
The Rev Mr.. Pearson. of Portland.
Maine observed this unfortunate dis
position among his fellow citizens.
and when he saw in his prohibition city
men drunken with high wine, some
times inelegatly called apple jack, his
soul was stirred within him. and he
believed that the prohibitory law was
he determined to enforce it himself
He discovered that men not only got
drunk. but that sheriffs got rich and
the demon rum reared its horrid
front in the most Objectionable way.
Therefore he said to himself: Go to:
I will be elected sheriff and will
smite the demon hip and thigh and put
him to perpetual shame" So he
was elected sheriff of Cumberland
county and began at once to put an
end to the liquor traffic. He worked
honestly and sincerely, and as a first
step he appointed as his deputies a
number of the most exemplary men in
the county, pillars OF the church, lead
ers in prayer meeting and haters of the
devil with all his works and pomps.
1t was not very long before he thought
he observed signs of opulence among
these good people, and concidently
he noticed men walking with unsteady
gait while getting rid of language hi.
larious. He made an investigation
Two of the deputies confessed to ac.
cepting bribes, and three others are
suspended pending further inquiry
The situation Is very painful.
This brought the Rev Sheriff Pear
son to a realization of the fact that in
rock-ribbed Maine men have a mighty
thirst, and that 1t IS hard to drive the
demon from them. 1t is so in nearly
all communities, but more noticeable
where an effort is made to enforce a
prohibitory law. The Kansas thirst
is equal to that of Maine, and neither
can be excelled elsewhere in the
United States. A Kansas mail car
rier who had q route entering Kansas
from Missouri, arrived at his destina-
ton one morning many years ago
threw down the nail pouch on the tav-
ern floor and asked for drink, as he
had done many time before. He was
told that the prohibition law had gone
into effect during his absence, and he
could not get drink The man re-
monstrated and finally pleaded sick
ness, but it was no use. In the early
days of prohibition the dealers were
timid. At last he was sent to the
drug store across the way, and there
he asked for drink and was again
refused. He argued and pleaded, but
to no purpose, until finally he asked
whether there were no circumstances
under which he could get drink. The
druggist said he supposed that IL he
were bitten by snake he would be
justified in giving him whisky.
Where can find a snake?" the mail
carrier asked. He was directed to a
neighboring neck OF the woods. He
went snd soon returned more discon-