The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-09-17
PROHIBITION IN MAINE.
BANGOR Is DRY, BUT IN PORT
 LAM, RUM NOW FLOWS FREELY.
The Resubmission Agitation of the Liquor Question to be a Promi- nent Issue in the State Cam
 paign Next Year.
New York Tribune.

 ering that had been expected by the lead CTS of the movement, bordering, as it did, in some respects, on the farcical, still there Is little doubt that the liquor ques- ton Is to be a prominent issue in the State campaign of 1904, and that there will be sharp fight all along the line between the supporters and the enemies of the prohibitory law.
 The weakness of the prohibition cause lies not in the law itself. but in the spas- modic and uneven enforcement of it. There is enough of the law, were 1t i'm partially and energetcally administered, to make liquor selling practically impos- sible in Maine. but it is only occasionally and in scattered localities that officials are elected who are mindful of their oaths of office and use their best endeav- ors to enforce the law. without assum- ing powers of discretion that do not be- long to them. This Is the position of the prohibitionists, and it cannot be success fully assailed. for the reason that the condition which they declare as neces- sary to the laws success has never yet existed in Maine.
 The opponents of the law, on the other hand, contend that the experience of fifty years has demonstrated beyond doubt that the law is impotent to accomplish the ends for which it was designat ated that there will always be a demand for liquor, and that, consequently, there will always be some one to supply the demand. They declare that prohibition has been hin- drance rather than a help to temperance; | that it has demoralized business and caused corruption in official lift, and that 1t is high time that Maine shook off pro- hibition as an antiquated failure and adopted a business-like and sensible meth- cd of regulating a traffic which, manifest ly, cannot be abolished.
 he in significant. polling only few thousand votes in Maine, but in the Republican party, which dominates the State. senti- ment is strong in favor of the retention of the prohibitory law. The Democrats, whose chances of success might be some- what improved by the enlistment of all opposed to prohibition, are poor managers and in a fight of resubmissiOn 1t is very doubtful if the party would be able to command the confidence and support of | the public generally or be able to gain enough new strength to offset inevitable | losses. The fact that the liquor dealers | originated the present movement for re- submission of the prohibitiory amendment l to vote of the people, and that they were in large majority in the recent convention, inspires distrust in the minds of many who would gladly see Maine rid | of prohibition, but who want to see the | change accomplished by reputable means and on unselfish and intelligent grounds
 Just what will be the line of battle next year is not as yet quite clear. but liquor | will be the issue. The Democrats may nominate a man for Governor solely upon the resubmission issue. all other questions | being lost sight of, and 1t is barely pos | sible that the candidate may be a Re- | publican or an independent of some sort | There are ambitious resubmissionists, like Dr. Crockett of Tnomaston, who would doubtless like to run for Governor as the | candidate of new party, but that is a forlorn and ridiculous hope.
 As to the Republican plan of campaign an important piece of information cropped out this week. that, as vouched for by a | leader of the party, it has been decided to incorporate in the Republican platform of 1904 plank providing for the re-submis- sion to the people of the prohibitory amendment. This would be a shrewd move. as 1t would take away the thunder of the various opponents of the law out side of the Republican party. It Is held that the Republican managers have sur Veyed the ground carefully and have concluded that a stand for resubmission which does not in any source mean an in- dorsement of license Is the best way out of the existing situation, and may serve as means of escape from such an expe- rience as the party had in Vermont last
 
 will probably be nominated for Governor by the Republicans, has come out strongly for prohibition, and without surprising change of sentiment in the rural districts on the liquor question he could scarcely be beaten by any combination possible of the opponents of prohibition.
 It is argued by those who recall the last referendum on the liquor question that should the present movement succeed, il would hafo in prohibition being sustained three tc one. The argument strikes most intelli gent Maine men as sound. There nigh be some slight change in favor of license but 1t would be all in the cities and town. and the voting strength of Maine lies 1T the rural region. and is marshalled chief ly under the Republican flag.
 The situation at present in Maine is re markable for it's contradictions and in constituencies. Tn Portland, where fo years, notably under the late "Parsoy Sheriff Pearson, the law was enforced with great vigor, rum now flows freely split in the Republican ranks last fall let Democrat slip In as sheriff of Cum
 berland County. and there was an almos immediate change in conditions there re specting the liquor traffic. It is said tha
 four men. a ring of politicians, contro absolutely the liquor business of Port land; that they decide who shall sell anC when he shall sell, and also what he shal sel. exacting tribute from retailer anc wholesaler alike. It is evident that som
 such arrangement exists in Portland. fo liquor Is plentiful there, even on Sundays and on some days the saloons are open while on other days. apparently in obe dience to the nod of the big four" al ! hands close tight.
 In Bangor, on the other hand, where fo twenty five years, the saloons were wid
 open enforcement is rampant. Six liquo , dealers are in jail. serving sentences 0 ) six months each. imposed by the cour that adjourned last week. while like sen tences are suspended over about loo oth CTS in case they are ever again caugh selling liquor. A score have fled from thu . city and dare not come back, knowing { that the jail awaits them. From al ! classes the County of Penobscott has col lected Sl2OOO in fines. Bangor and Port
 land have simply changed places, and i
 is all on account of a difference in tn character of officials-for the law. as Jus , tice Peabody took occasion to say here. l. the same for all parts of the State. Th' 5 situation is truly discouraging to friends of temperance. regardless of politics. anC it Is every day becoming plainer that pro , hibition is not having fair chance, an( , that without a fair chance 1t would b' $ better to do away with 1t.