The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1907-05-30
New Temperance Movement.

New temperance movement.
The establishment in this State of a
Total Abstinence League, which has
been the subject of conversation for
months, had good beginning at
Portland, on Wednesday of last week.
Fifty or more representative, earnest
and prominent men, were present,
representing nearly every section of
our broad domain. Somerset county
was represented by L. L. Walton,
Esq, of Skowhegan, and Albert F.
Donigan, ESQ.,, of Bingham. Mr..
Frank l.. Dingley of the Lewiston
Journal, and several other we'll known
newspaper men were present and
participated, as well as clergymen and
leading business men in other depart
ments of active life.
Alexander T. Laughlin of Portland,
was elected presiding officer, and R.
o. Everhart of Portland, Secretary.
w. r. Pattangall of .Waterville, edi-
tor of the Sentinel, the originator OF
this movement, was called upon and
gave his idea as to its organization.
In brief it was this:
To duplicate, to certain extent,
the political parties. Have State
committee consisting of a delegate
from each county and from that body
choose an executive committee, a
chairman, secretary and treasurer.
He would then branch out and organ
ize county committees along the same
lines and then clubs in the towns.
The plan for the local organizations is
for clubs, devoid of any formalities or
secret work and designed to take the
place of the social clubs and embrac-
ing all their good features with, of
of course, the exception of the liquors.
AS for a constitution, he suggested
that it be very short if there be one at
all, and by this means to keep the
organization strictly to its work. The
financial end would be taken care of
by voluntary subscriptions except i'll
the case of the town clubs, which
would finance themselves.
This plan thus outlined by Mr.. Pat
tangall, had the hearty endorsement
of all the speakers, and in fact of all
persons present.
A committee of five was appointed,
consisting of Messrs. Dingley of Lew
iston, Norton of Portland, Gleason of
Mexico, Walton of Skowhegan and
Pattangall of Waterville, which re-
ported the following pledge:
1--WE pledge ourselves to do all
within our power by personal exam
pie and influence to promote the
cause of total abstinence from the use
of Intoxicating liquors."
All present signed the pledge,
which in few words epitomises the
aims and objects of the League.
A committee consisting of Alexan
der T. Laughlin and George w. Nor
ton of Portland; Luther r. Moore of
Saco; Frank L. Dingley of Lewiston;
Edwin H. Gleason of Mexico; Lyman
L. Walton of Skowhegan and William
r. Pattangall of Waterville, was
selected to draw up constitution,
select State committee of 16, one
from each county, and take other
action necessary to perfect the or
ganization. This committee will
meet at Brunswick, June /, and will
report at an adjourned meeting of the
League, to be held at the call of said
committee,
Thus has been launched, most aus
piciously we think, The Maine Total
Abstinence League. Founded upon
the principles of the Gospel OF
Christ, seeking out and saving those
who need help, it ought not antago
nize any person or interest. Every
true hearted man or woman should
bid it od-speed. Entirely unselfish
in it's purposes, laboring only for the
interests of humanity, it seeks to re
store the shattered image, bind up
the wounds the common enemy has
made, to keep and ensure the highest
manhood, and to bring peace and JOY
and comfort to the home and the fire.
side. 1t challenges no mans political
or religious views; does not interfere
with any of his rights 1t comes to
scatter sunshine and blessing along
the sometimes weary pathway of life.
When this unselfish spirit is fully
grasped and appreciated by the peo-
pie of our State, they will hail with
JOY the coming of this new-and at
the same time old-movement, and
give it the right of way which it
deserves.
Wonderful Eczema Cure.