The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1904-10-20
Terms OF Courts.
Citizens Meeting.

The meeting of citizens, called In ac-
eordanee with notice in the REPORTER of
last week, was held in Bethany Church
al O'clock, Sunday afternoon. Rev. A.
L. Lane, who supplied the pulpit of that
church that day, directed the exercises
and Rev. B. B. Merrill, pastor OF the
Congregational Church, read Scripture
selection and offered prayer.
Brief preparatory remarks were made
by Rev. MIR. lane commenting the work
of the Civic League, stating that it was
broader than tie cause of temperance
alone, as it embraced other features of
good government and work for the pub
lie veal.
Rev. G. E. Owen, secretary of the
Maine Civic League, spoke OF the prin-
ciples and work of the organization he
represents, of which we give the follow
ing imperfect epitome:
Good government is founded upon the
teachings of the Holy Scripture. Jesus
Christ il responsible beyond any other,
for civilization and self government. He
recognized rulers and enjoined obedience
to them.
The Maine Civic League recognizes
that governmental authority is from God
stands for this principle and tries to
teach men to be loyal to the State and
to its laws. Ii stands for the sacred
ness Of the ballot. The Christian should
regard his ballot as sacred as his Bible.
The purchasing of votes, as carried on
in some cities and larger villages and
sometimes even the open country, is
shameful, is dangerous to the country
and its Institutions and unless Iemedied,
our country is in peril. TO remedy this,
good citizens clubs should be organized
TO stand against and work against desc
Grafton of the elective franchise. Parties
should unite il. the demand for pure
ballot. All parties in the long run are
interested in securing an honest ballot
The Civic League stauds for the NOM
nation of good men for flee by the
parties, and for the election Of good { fiji
GERS Irrespective of party. Il believes in
voting straight If the the ticket is
straight. If not, it is The dut} Of citi-
zens TO straiLhten it. Parties are being
led TO realize that they must have good
tickets. Cutting tickets is more pieYa-
lent among men Of standing than ever
tefore. The hist election in Maine
shows more il d pendent voting thpn
ever before. The League also stands for
loyal support of good men in ofiicr.
The Civic League stands soldly for
enforced prohibition and NOT for result
mission. Enforcement was an issue in
the September election. Mr.. Cobb stood
squarely for enforcement and spoke out
In unmistakable words for enforcement,
and the victory for his ticket WAS greater
than the most sanguine believed it could
be. Ii would be cowardly for the vic
tors to give way to resubmission.
Enemies of prohibition claim that the
September election shows that the people
are sick Of prohibition. The speaker
controverted this proposition. In one
county only may this be properly
claimed. Androscoggin county 10 the
only one where enforcement Was de
feAted. This was done In two cities In
wards with population OF exceptional
characteristics. IA out OF Is towns In
the county gave the enforcement sheriff
maiorities. La Cumberland, Pcnnellism
was continued by plurality vote, not
a majority. The opposition WAS split In
two. In Oxford county the enforce
ment Ia as strong as it ever was, albeit a
Democrat WAS elected sheriff. The
county sttorney-alect is strong prohib-
liionist, PRECEDENT Of the Oxford County
Prohibition Bar Association. The lesson
OF last election Is not that people OF
Maine desire resdbmission.
In abiding to the result 10 Somerset
county, Mr.. Owen said in part that both
parties had the good sense to select pre-
nounced enforcement candidate. Mr..
Lang has done splendid work and was
given very complimentary vote in IA
vor OF enforced prohibition. Mr.. Smith
10 champion for enforcement and ia ex-
pected to enforce the law vigorously.
Coed citizens should give him their
hearty support to this end.
The speaker explained the work being
done all over the State by the League,
also of some of the results and gave OPP
pOrtunity for contribution to the work
by those present in means to help IN
carrying on the work. The audience
WAS not large one but very respect
able SUN was contributed for its sze.