Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1905-01-11

against which 1t was directed, but once
law, they had the right-and they
have 1t still-to expect that its en-
forcement would be attempted by
sworn officials with the same energy.
persistency and honesty that generally
characterize the action of such officials
in enforcing other laws. Has this al
ways been done? Every intelligent cit
iZen knows 1t has not, and that in this
statement Is contained the reasons for
past and present difficulties and the
suggestion for a remedy.
wholesome respect for law is the
natural heritage of the people of
Maine. A very large majority of those
who favor the maintenance and en-.
forcement of the prohibitory law do so
because they believe that in that law
is provided the best method of repress-
Ing and correcting an undoubted evil
They are not welded to it as such,
alone, but advocate 1t simply because
in their judgment it is the best avail
able means to accomplish certain and
necessary end. They form the ele-
ment in our body-pplitic that placed
the law on the statute-books and
keeps it there. These people are not
fanatics. They are law-abiding, rea-
sonable and sincere, would be the last
to claim infallibility and the first to
respond to sound suggestion for civic
progress. But above all they respect
law and realize that In it's general and
ready observance lies the hope and
promise of good government. Their
position briefly stated is this; they be-
lieve first that the prphibitory law
furnishes practical method of lessen
Ing the sale and consequent use of in
toxicating liquors. and second that in
asmuch as that law is on our statute
books. 1t should be enforced with Wig
or, determination and uniformity. The
moral strength of their position lies In
the fact that they are contending not
for the adoption of law, but for the
enforcement Of one already in exis-
tence. AS to the first declaration, there
Is an honest difference of opinion
among eur people; as to the second
there ought to be absolute unanimity.
The estimate In which the prohibit
tory law Ia held in certain parts Of the
State. and by many Of our citizens, il
working an incalculable injury to the
forces that make for law and order
disrespect and disregard Tor all law
Is being nurtured that II allowed to
BtOW uhChCChCu huu uudSSdllcu Will
weaken and destroy the very founda-
lions Of good-goyernment.
In reply to these assertions 1t may
be urged that all these conditions
would be improved IL the law could be
repealed or even resubmitted to tho
people. But such answer Is based
wholly upon conjecture, and there are
sound political reasons against such a
Tho ny1aSffnn hnn -
be the most important one In the poll
tics of the State, and the dominant
party is committed to the maintenance
and enforcement of this law. If party
professions are entitled to confidence,
and if the votes of very considerable
majority of our citizens-registered
as l believe in large part upon this
particular roposition-furnish any in
dication of their wishes, by what code
of political ethics can the represents
tives of that party justify themselves
in favoring now any policy other than
that OF maintaining and enforcing this
law?
If the people Of Maine ever abandon
or materially change the prohibitory
law, it will be done only after they
have seen it enforced honestly and uni
formiy, in the same reasonable and
persistent manner that other laws are
enforced, and after they have been con-
WINGED that such enforcement has ac-
tually failed to accomplish the desired
end. Enforcement may cause the law
to be changed, but non-enforcement,
never.
This question has reached that stage
of discussion and treatment where diff
ferences of opinion as to the wisdom
of the law itself should be allowed to
embarrass the situation no longer. This
law must be enforced in order that all
law may be INDICATED, and to the per-
formance of this duty every man, IT.
respective of party, but united in the
interests of good citizenship may well
direct his energy and influence. The
task is not an easy one, and the prac-
teal difficulties that stand in the way
of its accomplishment should be Meth
err ignored nor underestimated: but an
aroused and determined public senti-
ment standing for order and respect of
law can enforce officials to do their
duty, or falling in this, can fill their
places with those who will
In conclusion, gentlemen, permit me
to express the hope that your services
here will be satisfactory to yourselves
and beneficial to the State, and to as
sure you of my earnest desire to CO.
operate with you to that end