Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-03-05
2
MAINE LEGISLATURE.
Continued from page %

teacn
There has never been time in the
history of the State of Maine. when the
prohibitory law has been enforced to
that degree that proves II to be a
benefit to the cause of temperance. In
theory IL is sublime, III practice ridicu-
Ions.
When Sheriff Cram in Cumberland
county during the first two years of
his incumbancy enforced that law.
honestly and 10 the best of his ability,
and in ac, ordance with the solemn oath
which he took upon entering into the
uerforn1ancn of his duties, did he at
the termination of the two Years of
somewhat successful enforcement, re-
ceivc that reward for his honesty, his
integrity and uprightness. which he 70
we deserved: No. he did not, but was
reelected to that office for a second
Tine a.. such u narrow margin, and UNI
der such peculiar circumstances as TO
cause him 10 say that he considered the
verdict of the people as being decidedly
adverse to the rigid and impartial en-
forcement OF the rrohibitory law.
We have, Mi. Speaker, and gentle
men of this House an illus;ra ton more
rec ont. but more pathetic.
Vt the midnight hour of January list.
1901. in the sherif's office in Cunber
land county. a man whose heart was
large. whose brain was powerful, whose
ability most RENE rkable. raiSed his
right hand and took his oath that he
would perform the duties of the office
of sheriff of Cumberland county to the
best of his ability, and in accordance
with the law and constitution of the
state Of Maine. That man whose sin
certify ana honor has never been ques-
toned entered upon his duties with n
determination to extinguish completely
4 the liquor traffic in Cumberland coun-
ty Although he realized in part the
task which lay before him, he did not
fully comprehend what a stupendous
IN undert aking he was about to as
sumo.
That during the term of his Office he
c,forned his duties with all his heart
and all his vleor in the work. every
one admits, yet he did not succeed in
proving that the prohibitory law
reaches that great source of evil-intem-
usrancc He did not convince any
reasonable man that the prohibitory
law reduces drunkenness to any not
able extent, and gentlemen OF this
House that is the purpose of the law.
His policy was defeated at the polls
last September.
The corruption, dishonesty and laXity
of officers sworn to enforce the law,
Whirh was manifest in the adminStra-
lion of the office in that county and III
tn. Other counties of the State prior to
1901 also Wormed itself into the admin
i4tra.ion OF Sheriff Pearson. \ Kan in
whom he mad placed the most explicit
condolences confessed to the taking OF
brides and WAS indicted in The court for
tho crime. Suspicion pointed to other
officers Of the administration. bat to
the credit of Mr.. Pearson himself, no
llun can say that the finger of suspl-
cion ever pointed to him.
Eut these circumstances bring home
10 us the difficulty OF enforcein@ this
law. when il lacks the supporting senti-
ylcnt the sympathy and the respect OF
the people When the American Ice
Company is doing business in Hade5,
thnr and not until then will the prohl-
tory Law prohibit in the State OF Maine.
The selling Of intoxicating liquor IS u
crime. only when so declared by stat
ute. 1t is not II crime in itself, ana Tor
that reason you can never succeed III
compelling the people to believe that
iiGuor selling is the heineous ofens"
which some enthusiasts would have Us
baii"Ne.
This feeling as regards the character
Of the oftense has Il natural tendency
To make criminals of the oIicers sworn
f., enforce it, 1t does not take them
long to ascertain that il. spite of all
Intoxicating liquor. it will still be sold
their efforts to suppress inc trafic III
and drank; and that men Of the highest
su-;.tl standing viii rot assist them i'll
their efforts to enforce the law, bun
Win sometimes openly encourage tn"
man who violates IT.
When they realize this. they become
lass earnest in their efforts, ana soon
learn to follow the old and we'll worn
paih. made by their predecessors. They
accept the offering of the runfselior
gwen to them for protection. without
the slight 81 disturbance of CONSCIENCE
10 my min II was this disloI;lty or
The rart If his trusted officers that
caused the great and generous heart III
ss"lniel T. Pearson to break down he
fore The end of his term. 1t WIS th'S
that caused the energy. with when ne
was so well endowed. to relax. 1t was
this that hastoned the coming OF death.
to that great and So0d hiHh' WHO'S
honesty and nobility of character,
whose splendid charity to the unfor-
tunate poor will ever live in the hearts
and in the memories IF the people OF
Maine.
Two years ago it was my pleasure L"
attend : meeting at Old Orchard WHICH
was advertised as "A housing Grand
Temperance Mass Convention under
the leadership of Mr. Pearson and the
list of distinguished speakers contained
about all of the individuals actively
connected with the prohibtory move
mept in the State. The me things.
which were poorly attended, continued
for four days. On the last evening Mr..
Pearson announced that the expenses
~ the convention amounted to some
thing like $40 and that he lacked $40 CT
xto of the amount necessary to pay tn
bills although he had taken collector
at each and every meeting.
This illustrates how difficult it is t
awaken the people in support OF TINS
law and its enforcement. You seldom
lear of a temperance meeting iii IT,