The Somerset reporter., 1904-03-24
Mr. Berry In Coburn Hall.

dent of Maine WesieytD Seminary,
spoke on Civic Temperate, under the
auspices of the w. c. T. u, in Coburn
Hall, Sunday evening to agood audience
Rev. Dir. Spencer of the Bethany Church
presided assisted in the opening cere-
monies by Rev. d. A Bal Of the Uni
versaist Church and Rev. H. r. Huse of
the First Baptist church.
Mr.. Berry spoke of the number Of
times be had addressed similar meetings
in SkoHhegan and of the change in the
condition of things that he found be-
tween one visit and the next. He was
sure hat all friends of temperance
would rejoice with him in the progress
that lad been made in Somerset County
and throughout the state since last he
SPOKE in Skowhegan. Then law was
nullfied in nearly every county: Now in
10 olt of 10 counties, the prohibtory law
WAS honestly and effectually enforced.
The speaker also gave prominence to
thechange in the attitudes of the Su-
prene Court, they of late being willing
to impose Jail sentences, which was hav-
inPa wholesome effect upon violators of
Law
ir. Berry spoke of the Home, the
Church and the State, three Divine insti.
tuions, each charged with certain re-
spnsibilities for the general good. He
slowed that there was an INTERPOLATION
btween them but that each had duties
tht must be performed independent of
tb other two. Dealing briefly with the
dties of the home and the church.
tbugh not minimizing their Importance,
NJ. Berry devoted much of his address
tCshowing the duty of the state in re-
grid to temperance and what we might
reasonably expect of it. The speaker
qoted from the preamble of the Consti-
ttion of Maine and made the point that
1.-THE purpose of the state was ito en-
sre tranquility, promote our common
| wllfare" etc. that ii was unconstitution-
afor the state to license a business SO
Utterly opposed to the purposes of the
pace and best interests of all as is the
sIoon business.
Mr.. Berry said that we had had years
o lax enforcement because proper
c'ic spirit had not been aroused but
tat it was now awake to its responsible
les and that faithful enforcement in
INST of the countries was the result.
b made several complimentary allus-
los to Sheriff Lang and stated that Mr..
| Lag did not enforce the law because he
WI Democrat but because he Is man.
an that voters of all parties had united
fohis election beca Use they believed they
| cold trust him to execute the law and
tn; he had not disappointed them. He
ais spoke of the work of Sheriff Cum
miys of Androscoggin and of other
sheffs who had been elected for their
temerance principles. lie hoped they
wod all be reelected.
M Berry expressed his qualification
at th fact that three of the candidates
for bvernor now before the people had
annQnced themselves as in favor of pro-
hibipn and also that aspirants for the
officof sheriff and county attorney in
Som'set County had taken a like |
coun. He urged his hearers to regard
the importance question as the only
issue of importance in the coming
oampgn and to vote for temperance |
men henever they cast ballot
Thi WAS the seventh time that Mr..
Berryhad spoken in Skowhegan, the
first oasion being eight years ago when
he and'ev. G. d. b. Pepper, then of
Waterlle, addressed the audience the |
same ening. He is thoroughly posted |
on thi subject, probably as much so
as any An in Maine. He was listened ,
to withhe closest attention and it was |
evldenthat those present were very
much sympathy with the speaker.