The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1905-01-05

II IL has published line or aaf1 Ia
has been 10 any way Detrimental H. hsf
WORK, II has been without Intention ~
30 doing, II has had the best u reason.
for speaking words Of commeudatloH ~
Sheriff Lang's work and has done 80
freely. Tie has DoblY KEEP h. promises
aud Is richly entitled "a COMMUNICATION
aid support. He ALLUDED n Sheriff
Smiths promises 20 enforce laW with9uf
fear or favor, saying nr. smiths word
az citizen, merchant aud legislator il
worth 100 cents 90 the dollar add hi.
word as sheriff will not BE- suhjeet 10 tn,
slightest discount. Sheriff L4nR ha-
demonstrated that the prohibtory law
can be enforced ia Somerset and sheriff
smith will demonstrate that under SIM
lar circumstances that law is capable OF
like, continued, effective enforcement
The newspapers OF the county, he y
confident, will stand By M. smith tn
REPORTER guarantees it hearty aupporf
The speaker urged the importance q
citizens cooperating with officers Of thr
law, with organization 10 hat purpose 4
need be incidentally spoke In apprecis-
ton Of the work done BY Judge Bachelor
OF the municipal court Of Somerset
shire town, and conf ientlv predicted
that Somerset county vii take no back
tracks IN enforcement OF law.
Rey. II. 5. Ryder Of North Arson wa
then introduced and spoke At SOM
length on "Resubtnission.o He fir,
took occasion to speak in praise Of Mr.
Lang and to mention the fact that he
had not been man Of one idea. but that
he had sought 10 prevent the violation OF
MI laws. He particularly commended
| the retiring sheriff for the effort he had
made TO suppress the "slot machines"
and other gambling devices Mr.. RYDER
| had lived In one State that did not have
prohibition California; and In Maine, d
prohibition State; be WAS sure that the
prohibitory law was preferable. II was
n great thing that this banquet could be
given to show the public appreciation of
the man who had supported the law so
faithfully. The people had honor I'd
Themselves by honoring Mr.. Lang. Re
submission was demanded by the saloon
element and in this demand they were
entirely consistent; they wanted better
chance to carry on their business and
hoped 10 get it In that way. 1t was also
asked for by very few good temper
ance people, with the idea that the law
would be approved by an overwhelming
! majority, and thus prohibition be
strengthened. He could not understand
the sentiment OF these temperance peo-
pie and believed 1t to be unwise. The
better way for true friends of the ten
perance cause would be TO use all their
Efforts in the election of men like A. H.
Lang TO office, men who would enforce
the law as it now IL,
Clyde II. Smith of Hartlaud, Nj
Lang's successor, spoke of ''The Future"
He stated that, but for the fact that be
considered the occasion to be of unusual
Importance, he would have kept to his
home, where he had been Obliged. by
the menace Of a serious malady, 10 re,
main for the past week. He had not
the privilege Of speaking of Mr.. Lang as
a neighbor and townsmen, but be had
found it necessary to consult him much
during the preceding ten days and had
found him kind, friendly and true. The
present gathering was glorious inspira-
ton for any man. just tribute to M.
Lang, and not without its value to III,
| speaker. Mr.. Lang had had with him
the judges, the county officials the COM
mon people; he hoped that they al
stood ready to lend him their aid. The
speaker stated that 1t was his loftest
ambition, his highest ideal. to continue
the policies OF him whose official conduct
had merited the respect shown him as
the honored guest OF so distinguished Ii
company.
To many present it WAS the first op
portunity Of seeing Mr.. Smith and most
OF the company heard him for the first
time in the role of a public speaker The
! impression made upon all WAS the most
! pleasant. His remarks were brief, but
earnest, straightforward and eloquent
The postmaster stated that 1t would
not be fitting to close without a word
from Mr.. Lang, and that gentleman
rose to respond. 1t is probable that
none of the varied experiences of MI
! Lang's official life required so much
courage on his part Ms 10 rise in his place
and have so many friendly eyes turned
! upon him. MIR. Lang stated that he was
| tifty-five years o'd and that he had never
/ before attempted to make speech. He
accepted the opportunity, however, to
thank the people of the county for the
support they had accorded him. He also
his deputies and also to speak of the aid
rendered him by the police and munich
pal officers Of Skowhegan, and the at
torneys OF Somerset. He thoroughly
appreciated the assistance they had been
to him. He thanked the audience for
the grand expression of appreciation.
The heartiest and longest-eontinued ap-
plause OF the evening greeted Mr. Lang,
upon the toastmaster's call for remarks
from him, and upon the conclusion of
his brief words of thanks.
Interesting conRratulatory letters, re-
ceived from H. p. Msyo, sherlff-elect OF
Hancock county, Major Moses French Of
/ Scion, and George Mitchell Of New
York, formerly a resident OF Skowhe-
gan, we're read by Fred F. Lawrence,
Esq, immediately following the speech
of Mr.. Manson.
Sheriff Lang and the following named
deputies were seated at table in the
center of the dining hail: Fred J. Horn,
| Canaan; 0. H. Bracket, Starks; George
/ F. Aver, Athens; Wallace Emery, North
i Anson; Lewis Fish, Hartand; William
/ f. Briggs, Skowhegan; Anon Baker,
Bingham; Charles + Duren, Fairfield
] w. +. Priest, Pttsheld; Fred Lucas, 81.
! AlbaDs.
A Card
We, the undersigned, do hereby agree