The Somerset reporter., 1906-04-12

lleNeS IL 10 De his contribution 10 the cause 81
good government and good citizenship. The
Enforcement Commission : not playing poll
tics, but is attempting to uphold and slnai.
cate laS Of the state Of Maine
| have a right to speak Il the methods and
purposes Of that Commission for have been
in close and constant touch with its deIIbera-
tons and conclusions, and these conclusions
have had inyariab y my approval and assent.
want 10 testify, too, to the absolute una
nimity and harmony that has prevailed be
tween the members Of the Commission, and
between them and myself, and to say that
the esronsil ility FOR their acts should be
borne, not by them alone, but should rest
upon me as we'll
No sooner had the Enforcement Commis-
sion begun its work in some Of the localities
where the law was openly dehed than certain
counties were in an uproar and the downfall
Of the Republican party was freely predicted
The Democratic party believed it saw its
golden opportunity and loudly called for re-
ctuits to support the proposition that those
places which wanted nullihcation should have
il. Faint hearted Republicans forgot their
platform and began to question the wisdom
Of attempting to put ayowed political prlnel-
Piles into practice. The feeling of doubt ami
uncertainty spread all over the State, and
naturally enough the Sturgis Law vas held
TO be, If not the reason, at least the scapegoat
for all the woes Of the Republican party. So
far as actual and known results are concerned
the dissatisfaction eliminated in the Spring
elections, and almost every man who for one
cause or another cherished a resentment
against the party, masked behind the Sturgis
Law and contributed to Republican defeat
The issue must not be eonfounde3, how
ever, and while our opponents call Il the
Sturgis Law yet as a matter Of fact il IS the
principle of enforced prohibition that IS on
trial and every thinking fair minded man
knows this u be the truth. Has the Repub-
hcan party been sincere or lHsincere IN is
professions Of belief in that principle Has
II used that principle in It's platform only as
meaningless declaration to catch votes, or
did il mean what it said and does It propose
to stand by il Has a few months af at
tempted real enforcement SO prlcke1 the
hollowness OF It's convictions Il at thev yaa sh
al the inst sign Of possible disaster or does
it intend to hold fast to that principle an if
defeat comes go down with colors tying h4,
still true 10 itself
Those are questions that the Republican
party must now face and answer. and ought
II face and answer, and if the Sturgis Law
has no other claim for the night of existence
one is found in the fact that it has shown
what enforced pr, hibition may mean. Illus
trated its merits and defects, and at las, we
may expect vote upon this question that
will express the wishes II the people #
Maine. The tate IS aroused and believe
will stay so. This condition Of aft rs was
bound to come sooner or later and II IS well
that it is here now. Nullihcaton Of the law
and all the corruption that follows in its
train has made the situation what j. Is, and
whatever the result Of the iall elections NAV
be confidently hope and believe that Maine.
will come out Of the contest with strength
ened regard for law and determination that
it shall he respected and obeyed.
The Sturgis Law is only means to an end
and that end is to prevent nulhhcation. 1t
will 90 into every county where the local
officials are permitting nulhacaton, and il
Will come out thc instant that such officials
give reasonable assurances that theY Wi
again try to do their duty
The fundamental question Of enforced pro.
hibition versus local option and license IS
altogether too important = be treated in
narrow spirit OF in a spirit Colorei by p3rty
prejudice alene There are many who hon
estly believe that evils growing cut ot the u-e
and abuse Of liquor can be regulated best by
some form Of license. and i IS wrong and al
surd to question their sincerity. 1t IS enif a
truism 10 say that in the final ANALYSIS The
people will have wha, iley want. / had
hoped, howeee1, that the Republican paItY.
having beer committed 10 The pua.fle oi
prohibition laf So many wears, Wylli II He
SO covata'y as % abandon tal, paaz.a.e
upon her : eouirontc3 tar The hrs, tae eHh