The Somerset reporter., 1906-06-14

statements as 10 int DEHIit5 IEIl%G8 tTJHH
enforced prohibition are true We have seen
the baneful effects Of utilization and the
Improvements caused b. endorsements
Ne know Of the converts the latter las
made among the members 4 all parties
The prohibitory law enforced IS what We
want The executive officer % be nomi-
mated by YOU today are alreadg pledged by
their past efforts and successes 10 a most
rigorous enforcement We are not disturbed
by the Sturgis law 1t does MT trouble as
in the least. We have no Sc in Somerset
County for either resubmissian or the Stuf.
gs deputies.
But different conditions exist in other por=
tons OF our state. There are communities
where majority of the voters object to any
enforce ment Of the law outside OF their own
local officers. They forget, OF are indifferent
10 the fact, that the state is the political unit
of power, and that towns, cities and counties
exist only by virtue of the laws Of the state
that they are the creatures of the legislature
and have such powers only as are delegated
to them by the state; and the authority an
jurisdiction OF county and town officers are
likewise SO conferred and limited.
These people are unmindful Of the differ
ence between local ordinances and the laws
OF the state. They seem 10 regard a statute
of this commonwealth, in which the people
of the state are interested, as but a mere
local ordinance to be enforced or not at the
whm OF pleasure of petty local officer. 1t
is high time that this idea vas eradicatei.
This is a government of law. behind every
state statute stands the court, and behind the
court stands the Executive with the whole
power Of the state pledged to its enforcement.
The difference between neglect TO enforce
the bylaw OF town or village corporation
and the laws of the state should be clearly
comprehended by all. For instance The
town of Skowhegan at the present time has
two bylaws in force of which wish to par
ticularly speak one purely local, the other
founded upon the laws of the state of Maine.
BY the local ordinance, awnings are not to be
erected over sidewalk at less height than
seven feet therefrom. Now suppose mer-
chant disregards this bylaw and places one
in front OF his store but five and one half
feet high, and no notice is taken of that fact,
though under certain circumstances II may
annoy the passing people vet this is a local
matter under the control of the town and its
officers.
But il IS also provided that refuse matter
shall not be thrown from the bridge into the
kennebee river. This is also a state prohi-
bition. Now suppose this be not enforced
| by the local officials. Does their non-acton
settle the matter fnally9 Most assuredly not.
The inhabitants Of Fairfield, Watervle or
Augusta can apply to judge Of the supreme
court, as was done in a parallel case but a
short time since, and this Judge, backed by
the whole power of the state OF Maine, can
interfere by injunction, imprisonment and the
! like, that the waters of this beautiful river
NAV 90 unpoluted to the towns and cities
below US as il rolls onward to the sea.
\ local official can no more nulhfy this
state law than one of you gentlemen can stem
the onward flow Of the waters OF this mighty
river.
Here, briefly stated, is the legal right and
excuse for the pas age Of the sturgs law, and
for the use Of the deputy commissioners
where the local officers refuse to enforce the
prohibitory law. And whatever one may
think Of it as political measure, it cannot be
denied that ii is justifable along the line of
preventing a notification of the laws of the
state.
And here, gentlemen, we come back to the
issue forced upon US.
Is il to be notification or enforced prohi-
bition2 1t is idle to deny that upon this
issue the republican party in Maine is now
facing very serious problem.
1t is claimed that the passage Of the Stur-
gis bill and the rigid enforcement Of the pro-
hibitory law, has alienated many of It's for
mer supporters; that the cities will give a ma.
jorty for re-submission and license; that con-
tributons to the party funds will fall off, and
that defeat stares rs IN the face.
Our opponents have taken up anew tie
cry for re-suhmission, in the hope that Maine
will follow in the footsteps of Vermont and
New Hampshire Some OF our politicians,
frightened by the tumult, have advised that
the Republican party at lis coming state con
yention should declare for re.submission Of
the prohibitory Constitutional amendment, thus
attempting to meet our opponents on their
own ground; and some Of those who claim to
be opposed to the repeal of the amendment,
thinking there will be no harm in allowing
the people to vote upon the question, are al
yising the same action. Tie tier, espec.
ally do not realize 10 what extent this would
be taken by many people as a step toward
! license as a bid for the votes of those OPP
posed to enforcement and a slap at the ar
dent Temperance men. They fail to take in
To account how opposed Ia re-submssion
many of cur strongest temperance men are,
as they feel that the constitution of Maine,
unlike mere statute law, should not be made
a football frequently Of party politics, and
this simply to please men who are DESTROYS
either Of selling or drinking Intoxicating liqu-
ors. They say it is Absurd to talk about sub
hitting this amendment Just for the purpose
OF having it again ratified and are fearful of
the corruption fund that would come in from
wholesale liquor dealers out OF the state.
! They claim that in view Of the sad and bitter
experiences Of Vermont and New hampshire,
we should be extremely careful not to even
partially open the door to the enemies Of pro-
hibtion These men must net be offended.
They constitute the bone and sinew Of the
Republican party.
Anl 50 the issue is upon US. We cannot
| escape It. Our only safety IS 10 hghi tins
tnne in the open as genuine temperance
party n fYor Of enforced prohibition, in ae-
eorianee with our previous declarations, an
der the leadership Of William I. cobb Our
appeal Will be not to mems passions and preu-
dises but to their better natures. II will not
be an easy victory, but victory will follow. /
have faith in the people Of Maine, IN their
nigh moral sense AMI stiuing patriotism. l
will tell you why nave this confidence Let
ire relate to you an incident # the civil var
winch clearly recall.
It ~as during the most gloomy and de-
pressing period Of that conflict when the
ultimate issue seemed hanging in the bal
anee. cur armies had been repuls-d time
ana again, and, with nothing accomplished,
il seemed useless expenditure Of lives and
treasure some OF the most hopeful were
4.