Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-03-06

January seth of this present year, 1921
such licenses were taken out, making
from the legal standpoint of the case,
one dealer for every GIG of the popula-
ton. This evidence of the liquor traf-
fic Of course can make no account of
the hundreds of sellers within our
borders who take their chances with
the law ard procure no license. o.
rather take out no special tax. 10 be
fair to the friends OF constitutional pro-
Eibitior, and to give them the fuil
benefit Of the statistical argument. !
will deduct the 1856 cancellations and
eight transfers as shown by the in
ternal revenue records Tor the past
year and viii add to the list 30 special
taxes that have been endorsed for the
aala of Notwithstanding beVer& Ses such
las Cno. I-itha, f'ermania. HunGarlitii
and other . per cent. beverages. iesV
ing in force for the fiscal year 100, anu
In to January 80 of this year. $50 Unit
cd states special taxes or licenses, OF
one dealer t. every 400 of the popula
tion. Taking the internal revenue re-
Fort. tho number OF special taxes is
sued in Vermont and in force for 1902,
wee. -: one to each GAP, of the popula-
ton. The number in New Hampshire
for the same year 1852 or one to each
go Of the population.
Now for Il comparison of the traffic
in Maine at the present time with thu
traffic from 1889 TO 1897 inclusive. the
internal revenue statistics SHOW for
these years. one retail dealer for each
6l1 Of the population in Maine. The
revenue statistics for 1857, when tn
benefits of constitutional prohibition
we're supposed to be apparent. showed
there We're 500 retail distilled liquo"
dealers in malt liquors and Il whole
sale liquor dealers, making Il total OF
1925 as shown by the internal revenue
records. on practically the same amount
Of legal business per capita then us at
the present time
The attorney generals report from
1891 up to the present time shows q
total Of rising 10000 violations OF the
liquor law or more than 1900 per year
in spite OF the fact that the assertion
was made by Il prominent member OF
the kennebec county delegation recent
ly. that there WAS practically 70 liquor
solo in kennebec county. | submit fur
Their list of the fines and costs i'm
posed and collected since 1880. with the
exception of the two years 1887 and 1888.
IS shown by the attorney generals re-
ports, and this list makes Il total of
fines collected for these years of ST.
jS2.d94.1S.
Gentlemen. | ask your careful atten-
ton to this list which will show you
whether prohibition has been a success
in the State Of Maine or a failure. The
fines ana costs collected in 1880 We're
so Sl5.16. | will not read each succeed
ing year but | will state that it was Il
constant increase up to last year when.
from $4,000 in 1880. up till 1902 the to-
tai fines collected for that year We're
II GlA,23 The years 1885 and 1886 i'm
ncdiateiy following the Incorporation
of prohibition into the constitution,
show respectively $G4.5l1.51 and $29,
$3.50 in fines collected against Sl70,-
354.23 and sl11, 61S.23 in thel years 1901
and 1862. Whatever these figures may
prove to you, gentlemen of the House,
they show to me Il constantly increas-
ing disregard of law. | believe | stand
here before you a consistent temper
ance advocate, and say to you, gentle