Evening journal., 1907-10-28
VETS AND 'DRYS'
In HOT DEBATE
William Thomson and R. O.
EVeThaFt Discuss Cam
paign issues
MAINE UNDER DISCUSSION

There was a great gathering at the
Opera House on Saturday night. The
occasion was joint debate on
Whether Prohibition Prohibits in the
State Of Maine" The novelty Of the
affair and the intense interest aroused
In the question drew an immense
audience. Long before the hour an
nounced for the meeting nearly every
seat in the building was flied. and
people were standing I'm all the avail
able places. Some who could not get
in through the doors entered by way
of the windows. Men and women and
children were there. People were in
the crowd who had driven from miles
in the country TO hear the discussion.
They waited patiently for the speak
ers to appear and there was an air Of
expectancy in the vast throng as the
hour approached. The right box of
the theatre was occupied by George
Muller, Of the license committee. and
party Of friends. and in the left box
was a party, principally women, OF the
advocates Of the prohibition cause
About s o'clock the speakers and the
representatives of the committees filed
upon the stage They were about
seventy-flye representatives OF each
side, the license representatives being
on the right ana the anti-lcense on the
/ left.
The prohibition side was supported
by Rev. r. o. Everhart. superinten-
| dent Of the Anti-Saloon League Of
Maine, and the license cause was
argued by William Thomson Of New
Zealand. President r ]. Maolean. Of
the Board OF Trade. was chairman.
Many Startling Incidents.
The debate was replete with starll-
ing incidents. At first the audience
was quiet and there were very few
adverse remarks while Mr. Everhart
was speaking. During the address OF
Mr.. Thomson. however, the "drys''
broke loose. and some persons so per-
sistently hissed that Mr.. Thomson
| warmly said that he hoped the prohi-
bitionists would learn better manners
and how to treat a speaker courte-
ously.
While discussing the statistics and
comparative drunkenness In Maine
and Wilmington. Mr. Thomson assert
cd that Chief Of Police Black had in
formed him that the law was fairly
and impartially enforced In this city
This remark caused a storm Of groans
jeers and Kisses 10 break loose and
there was an uproar that made the
speaker pause. while George Muller OF
the license forces arose and called
upon President Maclean to preserve
order
Offered Man Dollar.
Later. as Mr.. Thomson. at the close
of his first address, said he had not
seen drunken men in Wilmington. tho
uproar broke out again. When Mr.
Everhart started to reply he walked
to the front of the stage and waving
a dollar asked n man in the rear Of
the house TO come forward and gel
it and he would show that there was
drunken man. James II. Kane
who was sitting in the front row ol
the license side. and who is president
OF the Business Mems Protective
League. arose and protested against
such tactics, and President Maclear
called for order. Let us be sober,
said NE Maclean.
During Mr.. Everhart's second adj
dress there were some jeers and cal
calls. and one Of the license men In
the rear Of the stage said that thcii
side had been orderly, and he hoped
order would be maintained
MT Everhart attributed the drunken
ness in Maine to the lumbermen VIII,
came to the city.
The appearance Of the debaters was tn,
Continued on Second Page)