Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-03-01
MAINE LEGISLATURE.
Continued from Page Two.)

ate from our annual election that re-
submission TO the people upon this
constitutional amendment would he
carried by more than $1,000 majority.
1-non this issue the parties are not d.
yiled. The minute man says he is in
favor of resubmission It is said he is a
rum guzzler or something OF the kind.
PIT there are some good men in the
Republican party today who are in
Iayor of resubmission and 1 have no
doubt but what the best element of
hoth narties is in favor of it. 1t is the
right of the people. Can you not trust
them? Are you fearful after twenty
TWO years trial of the prohibitory law
are YOU afraid to submit it to the peo-
nra and let them vote on it? The Re
nublicaa party as well as the Demo-
cratic party said in their platform last
GUNNER that they were in favor of the
referendum. Now practice what you
reach. If you say that the people of
This state will vote resubnission, what
have YOU to fear from II? Submit It. t.
,ba-o and let them vote upon it. They
dernand il at your hands. 1 care rot
tor the number Of petitions. ] say the
majority of the people of this State de-
rnnd that this matter be taken out Of
,o,itics and submitted to them. I never
faar to trust any great measure with
the PEOPLE OF the State. They can be
trusted and there is no question about
Il But when you say to US that it is
rim measure. oh, my friends, you make
a great mistake. l argue this morning
from temperance standpoint, as Il
~ I,,.n .Nf.
nerarce and say that the prohibtory
law is making drunhards of thousands
and YOU cannot have anything any
worse. Go where you will today ana
vo,, are confronted by the awful catas-
trophe that our young men are being
contaminated by the peculiar workings
of this prohibitory liquor law. These
Who have sent in their petitions againS-
it-those who are arguing in favor of
the prohibtory liquor Law have some
thing to answer for in the future. They
mean rightly. There is not any ques-
ton about it. would iinpugn their mo-
tive but they know nothing only theO-
retically about the working Of the pro-
bah'torv ru-or law: | have teen county
attorney of my county. l tried faithfully
IN enforce the law and know something
about It's working. You have driven it
into places Of infamy and crime; and
submit to you. Mr. Chairman and fellow
senators. in all kindness and fairness in
the interests Of good society and good
morals. in the interest of the young men
of the State of the home and the fire
side, that you submit this matter to the
people. After trying the prohibitory IL
ton of affairs now existing in this State,
il Is tine we threw off all party shackIes
and un,icr the light OF heaven vote for
something that will stay the tide that is
sweeping us on and sending this State
backward instead of forward. l inploro
you in the interests of good government
and good society. I thank you, senators
and Mr. Chairman.
Mr. MILLS of Hancock-N1r. Chairman
and gentlemen Of tho Senate, | have no
desire to occupy the valuable time of the
Senate ct this late hour ir entering into
a harangue or the relative merits of the
prohbtory law and the license system
That question is not properly under dis
cussion. I would say. however in re-
spect to 4 remark made by the senator
from Knox that do not know what Gov.
Bells position is upon this question. in
Vermont; hut l do know that out of thu
"a towns in Vermont where the local op-
ton law is in vogue that only 81 today
are under the license system. Only %
the year before were under Il license sys-
ton, and 1t appears from that that
whether Gov. EEL favors that law or
not the people Of the state are entirely
opposed to the system in that state. [
want to say further that J. have great re-
spcct for the senator from Knox in this
matter. notwithstanding. Mr.. President,
what may have said in regard to his
actions and his statements in the past.
l today believe he is sincere in this qucs-
ton. l believe that he has repeated this
speech of his SO frequently-he has used
those gestures so emphatically and In
has shed those .'scaldng tears" so fire.
quertly, that he has brought himself to
believe that he is talking ard acting in
mo interests Of the people Of the STATE
OF Maine. 1 believe this of the senator
from the good old county of Knox. L be-
llevc, as | said, that he is sincere in his
statement. | have noticed that he said
mat the light of day was dawning. He
said that two years ago. II was dawn
ing then. He said it four years ago ana
SIX years ago. and it appears TO me that
the Eight comes very slowly. He is to he
encouraged on the fact. as he says. that
lie has gained two converts to his belief
shown by the sneech made here by tho
senator from-Hallowcl. daughter.
lie senator said "of Wateryille;" prop
cry 1t should be-Hallowell.
Senator HESELTON-"Of Gardiner"
My, MlLLS-It does not matter where
The senator comes from, he represents
'Le people of the State.
Now, Mr.. President, l am not disposed
" be biSoted in this matter. 1 am per-
iec'ly Wiling that every man should
nave whatever belief he wishes with re-
spect to a prohihitory or license sys-
.em. believe the prohibitory law is
pest for regulating the sales of liquor nj
'Gis State; but that is not the question
mere to he discussed. The question Is,
whether CT no We should require the tenn
pesance people OF this State to go to the
polls and vote upon abe fifth amend
Hent against their wish. The question
N' whether we are corsistent-whether