Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-05-16

Rockland."
This statement attributed to me
seems almost too silly to require denial
True and stable prosperity abounds
under conditions Of law enforcement,
not of law breaking. I enclose here
with a CODY of a petition that was
signed nv the business men Of Rock
land and presented to the city govern
ment in September. 1901. wrote tnat
petitfon. and it was generally known
that was its author. 1 signed 1t my
self and caused 1t to be circulated and
presented. II you will read it carefully.
I am sure you will detect no signs Of
my having been afraid that enforce
ment of the laws would injure BUSH
lief was then. as now, that business
was injured by reinforcement.
1 have written at length the only
letter in which 1 have attempted to
discuss this matter in detail during the
whole campaign. I reply to you be-
cause your spirit seems to be fair,
and you approach the subject In
way that appeals to me. l would
be gratifed, OF course. to know that
you do not altogether disagree with my
views or my political method. but how
ever this may be. you certainly know
now what they are. I am.
Very truly yours.
(Signed) w. T. COBB.
1.-THE petition to which the foregoing
letter alludes was as follows. 1t bears
the signatures of above 100 Of Rock
lands leading business men, headed by
w Try
Littlefeld:l
To the Honorable Mayor and Board
of Aldermen Of the City Of Rockland:
We, the undersigned. citizens of
1sockland, are convinced that the laws
intended to prohibit the sale of intoxi-
eating liquors, to suppress gambling
places and houses OF ill-repute, are
practically ignored in this city at the
present time.
We assert that never within our
recollection has this community been
afflicted with such a pest OF drunken
ness and immortality as prevails today,
and that evidences of its existence
were never SO bold, so defiant and so
conspicuous.
We believe this shameful state of af-
fairs to be SO apparent and so contrary
to the wishes Of our people as whole,
that we deem it our duty to bring this
matter formally to your attention. and
your duty to use your utmost authority
to correct the evils of which we here
with complain.
1t Is neither wise nor safe for this
municipality to tolerate longer the
growing spirit of lawlessness which en-
rR tpt nr1y, .,1,
and vice to flourish and increase. Too
many opportunities are being offered for
the hurtful diversion of wages and
savings, many families are being de-
prived Of necessaries and comforts, and
the future Of our youth is being en-
dangered. The good name of the city
is threatened. and the development Of
it's business and property interests is
being retarded and impaired. a de-
termined effort, therefore, to remedy
this condition appeals to US not only
as 4 QUESTION Of public and individual
morality, but as one Of good business
and sound sense.
We most respectfully petition your
Honorable Body to take such prompt
and vigorous action as in your judi
ment may bring about n better en-
forcement Of the laws against intern
perance. gambling and vice. and to this
end we promise our sympathy and ac-
tive support.
Waterville, Me-, April 20.190i.
Hon. VIM. T. Cobb. Rockland. Me.
NV dear Sir:-Yours Of the 10th inst.
Is before me. Allow me to express my
sincere appreciation Of the candor and
completeness of your reply to my in
quiry. You have done me. personally,
and my friends a great favor by stat
ing your position with the utmost
clearness and frankness.
Your position with reference to the
retention and enforcement OF the
Maine law Is entirely satisfactory to
me. While you did not write for pub
lication. you will be willing, l am con-
fident, for me to personally assure peo-
pie who question your views upon the
continuance and enforcement Of the
law, of my entire satisfaction with
your position and the reasons for it.
most sincerely hope that your
counsels will prevail in regard to the
declarations upon this point in the re-
publican platform, "A plank declaring
without evasion, in the slightest de-
gree, for the continuance Of the pro-
hibitory laws and for their enforce
ment." With such unequivOcal declara-
ton in the platform Of the Republican
party, and with men in full sympathy
with that declaration directing the adj
ministration, we shall make distinct
progress in the attainment OF high
ideals. I do not believe it can be other
wise.
As to your conviction that 1t is unwise
politically for a candidate to single out
any one law and declare for its en-
forcement, It was. as you say. a per-
sonal matter. Your conviction being
such, you could not consistently pur-
sue any other course than that you
have taken. Whether or not 1t was a
mistake at the beginning, a change
ever so conscientiously made, now,
would be likely to be misunderstood
and misrepresented. On general prin-
ciples, your course from the beginning
would appeal to me as being wise and
dienified; but the administration of the
prohibitory law in our cities and larger
villages has been such as to put that
.%o<,<o IN the minds Of the people, in