The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1903-03-19
ResubmissiOn.
Remarks of Senator Goodwin of Somerset
March 9th.

involved is simply a question OF submit
ting to the people the right to express
their opinion upon this question. If
there ever was a referendum submitted
to the people in Gods world, it was sub
mitted last September. This very iden-
teal Question was submitted 10 the
State of Maine, with the line drawn as
tightly as 1t could be drawn. The Re-
publican platform adopted at their State
convention. stated. We demand the en-.
forcement of the prohbitory law. The
Democratic platform stated as emphati
c lily AS the English language can state:
We are 10 favor of resubmission. There
vas the issue. No other great national
ssues-hardly any other local issues
entered into that campaign.
The Republicans demanded the en-
forcement. The Democrats demanded
resubmission. Upon that issue we went
to the polls and the Democratic party
was never 80 ANONYMOUSLY whipped as
they were at the last election. So that,
as far as the referendum is concerned,
the people of the State of Maine have
had it submitted to them within the last
months; and the verdict of the peo-
pie has been decidedly in favor of en-
forcement of the law. | think a great
mistake is made by the gentlemen who
say that they listened 10 the voice OF the
people and they find that there is a
growing sentiment In favor OF resubmis-
sion. Ii is not demand for resubmis-
sion, fellow senator's 1t is demand
for an enforcement of the law. Wher-
ever you hear this cry go up whether 10
Somerset, 10 Cumberland, Aroostook,
Waldo or anywhere else, the demand Is
not for resubmission. Ii is a demand
for a complete, absolute and drastic en-.
forcement of this law; and the Republi-
can party listened to that demand, put
into their platform a demand for the
enforcement of 1t, and went to the polls
and won out last fall.
We had, only the other day, In the
great body that sits beneath this Capitol,
great speech. delivered by great ora
tor, from the greatest city In the State
of Maine. There were - pages in his
speech. read 1t at home in the silence
of my chamber, with a dictionary at my
right hand and a gazeteer OF the world
upon my left. | learned more things
than had ever dreamed Of read of or
heard Of 1t began with a picture of
Adam and Eve 10 the garden, and came
down through ancient medieval and
modern times to the modern Adam and
Eve, typified 10 the city of Portland by
longshoreman and his wife down on
Center street, drinking ale out of rusty
tin pail. 1t dealt In verything-astron-
omy, astrology, literature, science, art,
| spritualism, chiropody, the isthmal
canal, the Millinocket biz and every
| thing else | had ever heard of; but, Mr..
| President, there were some things in
that speech delivered upon that question
in favor, of resubmission which should
not stand unrebuked. IL villfied the
church of God. 1t traduced the bench.
1t slandered the bar. 1t scoffed at the
intelligence of our people and declared
that the Republican party, to which hat
| distinguished orator had recently become
convert, was party Of hypocrisy and
deceit.
Where Is the demand for this result
| missionP VIII the gentleman from
Knox tell me? Does it come from the
people of the State Of Maine, or rather
are they here upon the petitions of
churches, schools and colleges? The
laboring man, the farmer, the business
man are almost solidly arrayed against
| the question OF resubmissioD. Only the
other day, In this chamber, the gentle
| man from Knox delivered an eloquent
speech In behalf of womsn's suffrage. |
wept with him when he wept over the
| teachings of his mother and the heroism
of Grace Darling. / scared with him
into the milky way when he picked the
stars TO light up upon our way. Where
are the women of the State of Maine
| would ask the senator from Knox
upon this question? Is there single
woman's name found upon any petition
! in the State asking for resubmission
from the people whose cause he cham
pioned 80 eloquently and ably only three
weeks ago in this Senate chamber.
There is not woman In the State of
Maine from Kittery to Fort Kent who
asks for resubmission (applause). Every
one of them wherever found stands sol.
| idly against this question; and O my
genial senator from Knox, where Is your
Wanted chivalry-aud o! my eloquent
orator, where is your boosted gaIlantry
(Applause).
Mr.. President, simply want to say in
conclusion that we have submitted this
| question to the people. The people
have answered us. The Republican
party stands committed TO the doctrine
OF enforcement. The senators in this
chamber are responsible for the legisla.
ton. You are going back to your con-
stitutents by whom you were elected
| upon that platform which declared
| .gsinst resubmission, and he who votes
against 1t violates his contract with his
constituents; and would ask of the SEN
ators OF this chamber that they give to
us what we have emanded-drastc, alb
s0lute and complete enforcement, and
thou II the situation shall change, we
will bow to the peoples will but not
It'll 1t does change, (Applause).