Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-01-17
Hon. W. T. HAINES
FaVors Resubmission Of
Plohibitory Law.
And Also the Repeal Of the
SiuTgis Law.
He Urges Republicans to Support
Measures to this End.

Watervillc, Ne, Jan. 1.-the Hon.
william r. Haines of Waterville, an
.,oy,ed candidate for Governor in the
wear 1858, in an interview today comes
ont .ouarely for the repeal of the Stur-
gis law, and FOR resubmissicn, and for
tbo abolshmont Of liquor agencies. In
substance he lays down a policy for the
Eeru5iican party on the much vexed
rum question, as follows:
The Republican party in the State Of
Maine. in the light of the recent cleo
ton has been placed in a position of
more or less embarrassment but there
is 10 occasion for any Republican who
believes in the fundamental principles
Of lis party, to BE- Weak-hearted, or to
fear that any but Republican principles
will dominate in this State. In Cover
NOR Cobb We have had one of the ablest,
most honest and conscientious COVER
mars who ever filled the executive chair
Ct the state, man Of whom every citi-
nn, without regard to party, should be
nroud His administration has been
highly efficient, economical, and faith
The great stumbling block to the Re
publican party in the state of Maine
mas been that all absorbing topic pop
uiarly known as the rum question. The
Sturgis law. enacted by the last Legis-
latura, has proven exceedingly unpopu-
lar and the results obtained by it have
been unsatisfactory, and of doubtful
gool At the time Of it's enactment the
leaders of the party were divided as to
is alyisabilty. but the unwarranted.
stubborn ana defiant position taken by
Sheriff Pencil of Cumberland county,
IN omen defiance and diSobedience of
the Constitution and laws of the State,
seemed to make it eXpedient that some
thing should be done to compel sheriffs
to Do their duty. and as consequence.
the Strrgs law. which was so energeti-
caIly pushed by the leading Republi-
cans OF Cumberland county without
any ether feasible scheme being pro-
pased gained the asccndancy in the
minds Of the members of the last Leg
islaturc This law, outside the question
OF expedcncy. never had any correct,
fundamental foundation upon which to
rest. Any law which assumes that any
sworn duty, admits weakness and an
inef,icenCy on the part of those officers
which should be corrected by removing
them from office.
Had 4 constitutional amendment
been proposed providing for the remOv-
al Of shcrffs and their deputies from
Office on petition and hearing before the
Governor and Council. with authority
for the appointment Of others in their
places, this evil would ultimately nave
been renewed in a way much more in
keeping with the spirit of our system
Of government. In theory. practice and
results We have in the so-called Sturgis
law practical repetition of the old
State CCnstabulary law. which was re-
pealed on account of it's inetficiency and
unnopularity. Any system providing
fer dual set Of executive officers in
the same line Of work, or providing one
set Ct officers 10 do the work of another
set, in case they do not do it. can never
lead to anything but inefficiency and
hck Of harmony in legal enforcement.
In the coming Legislature the Repub-
hcan party might just as well face this
problem squarcly. fairly. and admit it's
mediate repeal.
We must never for moment forget
mat the people themselves govern:
mat they are the rulers, and all other
oHicerS are simply their agents. or in
Stram"ntolities. and that the ballot will
always give expression to the popular
1t! or unnopularity of any enactment.
y" one can doubt but that the large
DV!I"cratlc vote cast at the recent
e!ec'l"h was popular expression Of
u't unpopular So-called Sturgis law. In
o"ler words. the people don't want it,
ana VIII not have it. This sentiment is
i'uHl not only among the Republicans
am Democrats who favor high license
out also i'll equal measure among the
N'ofac temperance people. who are
iouhd IN both Of the leading parties of
the State.
Inc time has come when we cannot
~" 20 Set' that there is a strong desire
vi III" part of at least very large mi
.o4"E 81 the voters Of the State to
.eNe the constitutional question of
p,'uipitlon again submitted to a vote
"e people. Many leading Republi-
I'"S mink that this should have been
pelore this. but no one can say
"t lhere was ever before any con-
e'dole or largo minority of the vot-
- demanding it. The representatives
| y, U'e people, elected to the Senate and
| a.. mouse. at each successive LegiSla-
W., nave had this question put to
~. 81 Tor the past ten years at least,
no' a quarter of such representa-
So So nave ever voted for its resubmis-
-. certainly there has never been q
'cieht minority who desires resub-
SS''h among the peoples representa-
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