The Republican journal., 1903-04-02
PROHIBITION AND REsUBM1ss1oN.

To THE EDITOR OF THE JOURNAL:
Many years ago, after full State can
vass and platform discussion, our peo-
pie incorporated prohibition into the
constitution. Upon this full canvass
the popular majority was more than
three to one. This act on the peoples
part was deliberate; done on mature
consideration after thirty years trial of
a prohibitory law. Two years ago, and
again this winter, there has been some
movement to repeal this law. A new
light seems to have sprung up-a lght
to tighten the Gentiles, suppose. Now
whence comes this movement? Certain
ly not to much extent from temperance
men of the past, nor those Of the pres
ent. 1t does not come from the drunk
ards wife OF his squalid children. Nor
does it come from the average moral
sense of our time. Thoughtful, earnest
men who sometimes tremble at the dam
gers of an ignorant, degraded citizen
ship are not behind it. 1t cannot be
from the thirty millions of people IN
our country now living under prohl-
bitiol, mostly from local option. The
whole State of Georgia, excepting four
cities, is under this law. In New York
100 towns and cities; California 1l3
towns and cities: Massachusetts three
fourtbs of its towns and cities; east,
west. south, north, about two-tifths of
our entire population are under prohl-
bition. In our present legislature many
more remonstrances were sent against
than petitions in favor Of change and
the vote of the House when taken was
two to one against resubmlSsion.
Then whence comes this cutlery for
repeal? We need not 60 far to find it,
Some years ago the liquor dealers got
together in a national convention and
with the untold millions behind them
resolved to fight prohibition wherever
they found it. They have been true to
this resolve They are practical lot,
these rumsellers. They know what they
want, first rate A spade to them is
Just spade. The Boston dealers no
doubt sent Thomas \. Doutney from
Massachusetts to our legislative com
mittee to decry, with his eloquence and
fustian against our Maine Law. Mr.
Kelley of Lewiston championed in the
House Mr.. Doutney's efforts before the
committee. In Mr.. Kelley's extended
remarks he said, when the public eye
is opened" etc, etc. But Mr.. Kelley |
did not seem to open the public eye !
of the House-not very much. we
hope the Lewiston member did not get ,
a personal eye opener from Mr.. Dout,
ney.
The vote of the House, after tie full
est and most impartial hearing, two to
one against resubmission, should be
some index OF public opinion. 1t is an
index, and an indication, too, OF an ad-
vancing public sentiment and remain
ing practical sense that cannot be
by the sophistrles OF the
LIQUOR dealers national ASSOCIATION.
Was there ever a liquor dealer who
wanted prohibition? No. Will there
ever be one such? No! But they say
the law enforced is fanaticism run mad.
Not enforced, it is hypocritical pre-
tense. They would thus place us be-
tween the devil and the deep sea. Let
them do so. We can afford it. The law
remaining is very solid fact. We can
bank on it, while the dealers can BANK
under it, or climb over it as best they
may. Thanks to the Maine legislature.
And thanks to the people who stand
behind the legislature.
S. A. RENDELL.
Stockton Springs, Me.