The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1906-02-15
Governor Cobb and Liquor
Dealers Propaganda

to the prohibitory law, and especially
those of democratic persuasion, have
had much to say of Gov. Cobb's speech
at banquet in New York, several
months since, attempting to interpret
his words in opposition to the Maine law.
The following editorial from the Port
land Express of Jan. 29is n review of the
matter and shows Mr.. Cobb's attitude
10 have been, on the occasion of that
speech, as at every other time. in favor
of the statute in question and its en-
forcement.
" hen William +. Cobb was nominated
for Governor of Maize by the Repuoll-
can convention. he came to the honofs
which that convention conferred with
the strongest possible recommendations.
Congressman Littlefield publicly youch-
ed for his honor, his integrity, his stead
fastness. In private his college friends,
the business and political associates OF
his later J ears all stood With the distin-
euished congressman In declaring that
absolute reliance could be placed upon
the Republican nominee, that his word
Was aa good as another mans bond, that,
in a word he is an honorable man,
worthy the high honors which the Re-
publican party sought to confer upon
him.
In the course OF time the people of
Maine chose this man, thus RECON-
mended, upon the authority OF those
who knew MIN best, 10 be their chlei
executive From the moment that he
took the oath of Office in the legislative
chamber at Augusta, the people who
bad trusted TO HIM the important inter
eats of the State began TO realize that
they had in their chief executive man
of unusual force and ability. His III
augural address stirred the pubhe heart
deeply. In the few weeks more than a
year that he has been at the head OF
affairs of the state this public has lad
every reason to acknowledge the truth
of the testimony of Congressman Little
field and the personal, business ana
political friends and aoquaintances OF
William I Cobb.
Readers of the Democratic organs OF
Maine, subscribers To publication CIR
cuated under the suggestive titles OF
barrels and Bottles," and other organs
of the liquor traffic have been RECALLED
with constant reiteration OF story
about the speech of Governor Cobb be-
fore the Maine Soce,y in New ork.
In the New York city papers this speech
WAS reported, and it was declared that the
Governor said, among other things, that,
the PROM tory Law is the greatest po-
Iltcal and moral evil we have to contend
with today" and ''the evils growing out
of the hypocrisy of the system have done
more harm, and caused more moral de
terioration of the people than All the
rum that was ever sod IN the state
When the paper containing this Re.
port reached Portland the editor OF the
Express wrote a personal letter TO the
Governor, to ascertain If these were
really his sentiments In reply the
Governor wrote "a complete and emphatic
denial, either that he entertained these
sentiments, or had given expression to
them before the Maine Society IN New
York He declared that what he bad
said had reference solely TO the lack OF
enforcement in Nj ne and not to the
law itself In his letter Governor Cobb
referred the editor to Prof Henry Il
hapman of Brunswick, who was pres
ont at the meeting, and suggested that
the Express interview that gentleman 10
learn the facts The Chapman interview
was printed at the time, and was an I'M
qualified denial Of the truth OF the re-
ports az published In the New York
papers. as will well be remembered.
II should have settled the question tor
all time, and did in the minds OF all
who mean to be fair in dealing with
public men, and public questions.
Ia the letter which Governor Cobb
wrote the editor of this paper be ex-
pressed the wish that MIR. Chapman
be interviewed, in order that he might
not personally be drawn into news
paper controversy. The Governor wrote
that bs deprecated any such controversy,
and added | trust that my friends
will know that 1 am not fool enough To
go ont OF the State and publicly criticlse
the laws of the state and II Is OF no use
10 try and convince the other tellows.'
For that reason, at that time. Governor
Cobb did not authorize personal denial
of the story that had gained 80 much
circulation. Today, for newly arisen
reasons, Governor tobb authorizes the
Express to state that his New York
speech was unsupported, that what he
had To say on that occasion did not re.
fer To the Prohibitory Law in Maine,
that the law itself was not under dis.
cussion at that time, and the criticisms
which he had uttered referred solely to
the non enforcement of the prohlbitory
Law.
Naturally our readers will be Interest,"
ed IN the newly arisen reasons which
have impelled the Governor 10 publicly
declare the facts regarding the New
York speech, declaration which should
and doubtless will put an end TO the
quoting of that alleged speech in the
newspapers OF Maine, at least. Ii may
not be generally known that at the con-
vention of the National Wholesale
Liquor Dealers Association, held in
Pittsburg, June II, 1902, resolution
was adopted deprecating tie alarming
extent" 10 which "the agitation in favor
of Prohibition has increased all over the
Country" 30 that "the very life of our
business is threatened" and stating
that it was necessary TO take united
action towards defending its rights
with the following:
"Resolved, Thata bureau be establish.
ed by the National holesale Liquor
Dealers Association of America, whose
sole duty it shall be TO prosecute this
work; and it shall be called the Protec-
tive Bureau of the National Wholesale
Liquor Dealers Association of America"
>lnce that time this Protective
Bureau has been very active in defend
ing the rights" of the liquor III file
It boosted IN an editorial published IN
Bonfort's Wine and spirit tiicult r hus;
BE it remembered that the Protective
a.