The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1904-12-01
About Isesnbmission.

nal at the State capital sends the follow
ing to that paper and it was published
on Saturday last
"Soon after the September election It
was suggested in the Lewiston journal
that resubmission would be up again
this winter. 1t new looks very strong
that 1t will. Much has been said on the
subject and on proposed mod fications Of
the present laws. As To the fate OF the
proposition to resubmit the constitution
al amendment If il is made, about all that
can be said is that all depends on the
manner in which it is propounded. If it
Is put forward as measure OF the rum
party for the purpose OF doing away
with the law and with no other intention,
then there Is little question but what its
fate is sealed.
But, II it Is advocated for the purpose
Of giving the people of Maine an oppor-
tunity to rea firm their belief in the doc.
trne of prohibition there are those who
believe that it will &c through. A lead
ing republican senator says In discussing
the proposition -
"There is no question in my mind that
the people OF Maine want the prohibition
law and want it enforced. A great deal
has been said to the effect that they were
opposed to If, but | do not believe it,
What is nCcessary now Is that they be
given an opportunity to once more assert
AT the polls that they want the law ard
want it strictly enforced.
my honest conviction is that IL the
proposition is put forth on those grounds,
with the suggestion that special cleo
ton be held, say in May, next, for the
purpose of giving the people, at time
when their miRds are free from other
political questions, an opportunity to
make manifest their likes and dislikes
the legislature will pass the bill.
AS to the result OF that special cleo
ton, there is not the slightest doubt IN
my mind. The people will declare them
selves for the amendment"
The Lewiston journal very well
knows that the rum party"is the power
that is pushing this resubmission scheme
and that its only object in doing so is to
destroy the prohibitoy law and give OPP
portunity for largely increased sales of
liquors In Maine 10 order to make more
money out OF our people. Eliminate the
money interest of Maine liquor dealers
Boston wholesalers, dstillers and brew
ers OF Boston and elsewhere and there
would be very little interest in resubmis-
sion, not enough to cause ripple upon
the legislative sea at Augusta, the com
ing winter.
The Lewiston Journal will readily re
call the fact that for six months prior to
the meeting Of the legislature of 1903 its
columns were filled to OVERLOOKING with
arguments in favor of giving the people
OF Maine opportunity to reafflrm their
belief in the doctrine of prohibition, and
all its mighty efforts resulted In fiat fail
ure. When the matter came up in the
legislature the only arguments used WERE
resubmission for the sake of legalizing
the rum ratic in Maine by the overthrow
OF prohibition and the enactment of p
license law. Enemies of the present law
are the head and front of the resubms-
sion procession and about all there is to
it anyway. There is no sentiment in thu
case with them. Il is matter OF cold
cash. That is what they are working
for.
The proposition made above by "a lead
ing Republican SENATOR" to have the
question of repeal OF the amendment sub
mtted to voters of Maine in May next,
could not have been more in the interest
of the friends of repeal had it been made
by a paid attorney. A special election
would be a burden to the opponents of
repeal at any time of year, and one in
May, one Of the very busiest months
IN the year for farmers, particularly So
1t would be less so to those in favor OF
repeal who reside more largely in the
cities and villages. Moreover fund.
would be plentiful and freely used to get
the latter voters to the polls. If resub
mission is to be force upon the people of
Maine, a small fraction of whom desire
it, the State should not be put to the
trouble and expense Of special election
TO favor The friends of a license law, and
to the manifest disadvantage Of the law
abiding, order-loving people who lie eve
III prohibition, a law that has stood the
test in Maine for fifty years, with better
effect In the suppression of liquor selling
and the curtailing of the drink evil, than
has any other law in any other state.