Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-07-03
SALOONS MUST CLOSE.
Mass Meeting Decides That Law Shall
Be Enforced.

dtlelltieu the meeting at SITanu ARMY
hail. Tuesday evening. And not only
must they close them, but they must
keep them closed, for the temperance
sentiment of the town is now fully
awake. and no half way measure or
compromises of any nature will be
tolerated.
The heavy showers of the early even
ing kept away great many who would
doubtless have attended, but large
attendance was not so much desired as
gathering of the representative men
of the community, that they might
confer upon the question of enforce
ment, and such a gathering the meet
ing was. Some over 60 were present,
representing all professions and all
classes of business men, and from first
to last no word against the strictest
enforcement was heard, no sentiment
expressed which did not tend toward a
systematic and unremitting attack
upon the sale of intoXicants.
The first business of the meeting,
and that for which it was primarily
called. was to listen to the report of
the committee of five, who We're APP
pointed at the first meeting one week
ago, with reference to their consulta-
tons with the officers. Rev. H. w.
Kimball reported for this committee,
giving the result of their interviews,
first with the sheriff, second with the
selectmen. and finally with the sheriff
and selectmen together, the substance
of which was that while Mr.. Pencil
showed no particular inclination to
take active measures upon his own re-
sponsibility, he was willing to do any,
thing they might require of him; and
the selectmen declared their willing
ness to do their part in enforcing the
law, and promised to take steps imme-
lately, though just what would be
done was not stated at the time, and
the chairman of the committee was
unable to state what had been done.
A. H. Wyman, of the board of select
men, being present, he was called upon
to state the position of the selectmen,
which he did in a most earnest and
Straightforward manner. The board had
always meant, he stated, to carry out
the wishes OF the town, as declared in
the vote at the town meeting in
March. directing them to enforce the
law but Sheriff Pencil had taken the
matter out of their hands, by assuming
to close the saloons unassisted, and
they were satisfied that he done so, for
a space OF at least two months. Late
rumors, however, had indicated that
the sale of liquor was again going on,
and the selectmen would doubtless
have taken some action, even had the
committee not been appointed. AS to
what had been done, Mr.. Wyman stat
ed that the selectmen visited all places
where liquor was supposed to be kept
for sale, and notified the proprietors
that they must close up, or take the
consequences This they believed to be
better in the end than the institution of
search and seizure uprocesses, as they
would probably be expected to make
searches, and nothing could be found.
AS to the rumOr regarding COM
promise allowing the sale of beer and
other malt liquors, Mr.. Wyman said in
reply to a question by Mr.. Kimball
that there was no such understanding;
that while "Uno'' beer was being sold
by several of the restaurant keepers.
they were not authorized and would
not be allowed to sell any liquor pro-
hibited by law.
L pom lllOll''I VI W IL L tNAiAN' 49,
meeting passed a vote of thanks to the
municipal officers for their firm stand
in the matter. and pledged to them the
earnest cooperation of all present IN
the work of enforcement. Upon motion
Of J.. l.. Walton. the former committee,
consisting of II. w. Kimball, }. O.
Smith, Isaac Dyer, w. +. G. Estes ana
Lewis Anderson. was supplemented by
five additional members, Rev. Daniel
Onstott, II. A. DinsmOre, f. n. Nolln,
L.. l.. Walton, and Mr.. killum, the en-
tire board to act in cooperation with
the selectmen in prosecuting VlolatorS
Of the law, and keep in touch with the
people by calling meetings at any time
il may be deemed necessary, or to take
such other measures as may lie advis-
able.
Several of those present made most
stirring speeches in behalf of radical
enforcement. among others Capt. Stone
of the Salvation Army, who spoke from
a wide experience in various New Eng
land towns He made the gratifying
statement that in the various places
where he made his residence as Sal
walton Army officer, he recollected no
town of this size where the liquor traf-
fee was as well under control as it was
J in Skowhegan upon his arrival several
weeks ago, though he had Noticed in
dications Of late that were not as
gratifying.
Whether the closing of the bars can
be made a permanent thing is a ques-
ton which still remains in doubt, and
there are many stanch temperance
people who believe that to keep the sa-
looms from selling more or less intoxl-
cants is impossible for any length OF
time. There is no doubt, however, that
for the present .Skowhegan has had
enough of it, and public opinion speaks
overwhelmingly in favor of complete
and radical enforcement, so far as Of
fetal vigilance. aided by private effort
can accomplish that end.
Real Estate Transfers.
,Ncn\- Nfarl- E-rnpry OF als IN Watson