Daily Kennebec journal., 1906-04-12
Gr ard Chief Templar Rdeout's Report

"BrOtnerS and SistcrS-By permission
Of He who orders all things wisely, we
meet in the beautiful city of Water
vile to transact the business of the
48th annual session of the Maine Grand
Lodge.
Il extend to you a cheerful and cor
dial welcome TO this session of the
Grand Lodge. 1t is one of the happy
events of my life to meet my sisters
and brothers on these pleasant occa-
sions: it is an inspiration to look into
your cheerful faces and to think that
we have gathered here from the vari-
Gus sections of the State for the gener-
al advancement of the moral and
Christian standard of our State and
nation. l believe that this world will
have been made better by our having
met ct this time. How much better
will depend on the zeal, earnestness and
prayerful effort which we put into the
work of this session.
''rhe Good Templars Of the province
of New Brunswick during the last
Grand Lodge year furnished a grand
example of what earnest work will ac-
COmrliSh. They made a gain of over 100
members and had $50 in the treasury
at the end of the year on a total in
come of SS34.59. Love for the order,
backed up by earnest work, will over
come all obstacles.
Gwen though the Sturgis law has
been in operation but snort time, its
good effects are visible in many direc-
tions. 1t has brought about a better
enforcement of our State prohibitory
law than we have had for many years.
ii has caused many of our law officials
to execute duties which, in the past,
they have sadly neglected as, for in
stance. in the case of the sheriff of
Cumberland county who, when it be-
came necessary that he perform his
sworn duty. proved himself capable of
enforcing the law as he had proved
himself apt in evading it,
"1ne extra enforcement of cur law
during the past year has reduced the
consumption of liquor in our State
and thereby saved thousands of dollars
fer the advancement of legitimate bus
mess that otherwise would have gone
to swell the Golfers of the wholesale
dealers i'll Boston and other cities. 1t
has reduced the prison population of
and we are pleased to think that no
money values can be put upon the
priceless gift of the happy homes it has
made.
"rhe American home Is the fOunda-
tion of our nations existence and every
law or measure that tends to improve
our homes adds to the strength of our
state and nation and we, as an order
believe that one of the most effective
ways to protect and advance our homes
Ill Maine is to thoroughly enforce our
prohibitory law. Let us, with the aid
Of the enforcement commission and ev-
cry other available means keep on for
tifying our law until we have sur
rounded our State with an impregnable
wall of prohibition. Then will Maine be
true TO her motto 'DirigO' in intelli-
eence, prosperity and morality and
Christianity as the freedom from from
strong drink will soon bring these rich
blessings with many more added. The
lew paltry dollars spent in the main
tainance of the enforcement commits
sion are not to be considered In COM
pariscn with the great benefit derived
from enforcement
Following this We're short treatments
OF the subjects Of significance to the
members of the order There were dis
cusSlons on the subjects of Needed
Amendments to the Constitution,
'Dcputies,' "1'itles of District Lodges"
and Juvenile Work. The latter sub
ject was made a strong plea, showing
'hc necessity of the proper environ
ments and moral training of the young
as an important part of the RESPONSE
biilty of the work of the order. The re-
naming part of this paper, like the
hrst pages. treat upon vital State issues
ana should be perused very carefully
ana thoughtfully as containing the es-