Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1906-07-24
w. G. T. U. Column.
WHY WAS ALCOHOL DrsraoYxDs

w. G. T. U. Column.
WHY WAS ALCOHOL DEsTRoYEDY
In San Francisco, during the terrible
earthquake and Gre, thousands were
suffering from hunger and thirst, and
fifty cents . glass for water was gladly
paid. At this same time an order was
given and enforced that every bottle Of
liquor taken from saloon or grocery
store be broken, and all intoxicating
liquor destroyed. What stronger testi-
mony 10 needed to prove that alcohol ID
q dangerous articlsP
HOMELESS PEOPLE.
Gladstone said that alcoholic drink
causes greater loss OF life than war,
pestilence and famine combined. There
are many times more homeless people In
our country to-day because Of strong
drink than have been made homeless by
earthquake and fire. Why should the
liquor trade be given the right to existp
PROHIBITION FOR THE PROTECTION OF
THE PEOPLE!
An edict against the selling of liquor
In San Francisco was made; but the
saloon men began to build temporary
places In which to sell liquor. They
held city licenses and considered they
had right to sell; but on May 18th all
saloon licenses were revoked by unanl-
NOUS vote of the police commissioners,
on the recommendation of the mayor.
Why was this done If liquor selling Is q
safe or desirable business2
WHICH SHALL WE PROTECT, HOME OR
SALOON?
Maine answered this question fifty
years ago, and has reiterated the reply
over and over again by keeping its pro-
hibitory law, in spite of the efforts made
by the liquor people to overthrow 1t. A
few months ago in license city, man
crazed with liquor bought according to
law, killed his little boy two years old.
This father Is now In jail awaiting trial
for murder; the mother of the little one,
bereft of her child and her reason, has
been sent to an insane asylum. And yet
there are some fathers, and possibly
some mothers, who seem to think that
license would be better than prohibition
in Maine. If they really believe this,
God pity them and open their blind
eyes! IT evil and crime exist, let it be In
spite of law-not by encouragement or
pei mission of law.
THE MOVEMENT FOR REsUBMIssIoN IL
A MOVEMENT AGAINST PROHIBITION.
The willy enemy says: "Give the PEG.
pie another chance to vote as they did
in 1884 and no doubt prohibition would
be continued" But we have prohibition
already in the State Constitution, placed
there BY vote of three in favor to one
against. Why take this part of our
| Constitution and subject 1t to the at
tacks of the liquor power inside and out
side of the state? 1t is plainly the duty
of every temperance man and woman tC
oppose resubmission.
MULTIPLICATION.
It is sometimes said that since th'
prohibitory law is violated it would b
better to repeal it and have license Law
that can be enforced. The restrictive
features of a license law are violated
quite as much as is the Prohibitory Law
OF Maine. The nature of the liquor
trade is concentrating, law-defying
wicked! Notification applies In like de
gree to all laws for the restriction OF
prohibition of the sale Of liquor.
If liquor selling is right, why prevent
anyone from selling?
If It is wrong, should anyone b
licensed to do wrong?
A MONOPOLY.
The liquor trade is great monopoly
compared with which in harmfulnes'
the Standard Oil, or any other business
is insignificant. To illustrate: In th'
high license city of Minneapolis ther'
are 400 licensed saloons, plus all thu
illegal places. All but AZ of thes'
licensed saloons are owned by the brew
ers. The brewers and distillers hav'
not much of foOthold in Maine, blu
they are fighting for this foothOld
Who are helping them? Those whit
favor resubmission and those who cry
out against prohibition and favor ii
repeal because it is violated or "nulli
fed!
| VERMONT.
The chief argument used by "gooe
people" in the Vermont campaign wal
-"The law Is violated'-forgetting tha
all laws are violated more or less. Tht
anti-prohibitionists won the day in Yer
mont by majority in the entire state Of
only 100. This spring every county il
Vermont had a majority for no license,
and the no license vote in the state ex
ceeded the license vote by S,69S, and thu
state prohibitory law will probably be
re.enacted.
THE MAINE PROHIBITORY LAW is RIGHT
IN PRINCIPLE.
Not alone the church and the tenn
perance organizations, but the leading
statesmen of Maine are outspoken In III
advocacy. The Maine Prohibitory Law
can be enforced--is enforced! The
Sturgis Commission is so potent that II
has brought about strict enforcement IL
Cumberland County without any special
effort on the part of the commissioners