The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1907-07-25

men are becoming drinkers and drunk
ards than ever before. This is true not
only in the license towns, but in many
of the no license towns as we'll. Young
men from the dry" towns visit the
saloon towns, great numbers of them,
for the express purpose of getting
liquor; others in the natural moving
about of men. The liquor business is
Haunted before their eyes in gaudy and
attractive signs. Saloon windows are
dressed up with scientific attractive
skill. The traffic is as legal as any
business. 1t assumes a tone of respec-
liability. Men whose example has strong
influence are patrons of the saloons.
The young mems philosophy and rea-
soning are dictated largely by surface
appearances. There is tremendous
fascination about the legalized saloon.
l have seen it's effect on boys and young
men. l have felt its Jingle in the nerves.
l cannot explain it in all its awfulness.
1t is the charm of serpent. Our young
men are caught in great numbers in
this fatal whirlpool of fascination. This
is not mere theory. 1t is the sad, awful
fact. l have seen instances which have
made my heart sick. For the sake of
the young manhood of the Pine Tree
State, with wonderful God given posi-
bilities, do not tamper with such dan
ger. Repudiate aud repeal the bare
possibility of giving it standing.
STATE DRUNKENNESS HAS ALARMING
LY INCREASED.
Vermont has one criminal workhouse
for the entire State, located at Rutland.
The number of criminal drunkards CON-
mitted for the two years 1901 and 1902,
sos; for the two years 1908 and 1904, 1,
0S1: for the two years 1905 and 1906,
1,404.
In New Hampshire each county takes
care Of this class of criminals. The to-
tails for all the counties for the several
years tell tremendous tale.
In 1902, the last year of State prohi-
bition, the total number of criminal
DRINKS was 413; in 1908, S3S; 1904, 1897;
1905, 1887; 1906, 2.1s1. This rate of in
crease is appalling. An increase from
Alb year under violated, poorly en-
forced State prohibitory system to 2,1s1
under modern, carefully constructed
license law with the best administra-
ton of any license law in the Union, is
a serious condition. 1t confirms the
truth of the statement that "Prohi-
bition at its worst is better than IL
cense at its best"
These two facts from the two States
ought to appeal to every Christian citi-
zen of Vermont and New Hampshire,
intensifying the demand that the
iniquitous system which is responsible
for such disastrous results must be re-
pealed. 1t ought to appeal to every
patriotic citizen of Maine, not to he
fooled by the sophistry and falsehoods
of men who want to open Maine to such
disastrous system.
NOT SATISFACTORY TO ITS FRIENDS.
We had in both States large num-
Der of honest temperance theorists who
wanted something better than we had;
and instead of directing their energies
to the enforcement of the Prohibitory
Law they bewailed it's failures; and
still further helped to itensify its fail
ures; and joined in the demand of the
liquor interests for change to So
called system of regulation and restric-
ton. Those temperance men are now
over the unsatisfactory
conditions. One of them said in a
public address i'll the legislative hall of
New Hampshire on the occasion of a
public hearing that he had worked for
the license law because he hoped and
believed it would lessen the sale and
use of rum; and the result has been the
enormous increase in every direction;"
and he stated that he would be glad to
vote for the repeal Of the whole sys-
TEN. Many of this class are of the
same opinion. But when the liquor
traffic once gets its legal anchors down,
it is no easy matter to take them up.
Local option offers the most fruitful
opportunity for political bribery and
the corruption of the ballot.
In one of our large license towns con-
ditions had become so VIGOROUSLY bad
that it was well understood that it
would vote mo- A small nearby town
was selected, conveniently located as a
center for railroad distribution. A
liquor hotel man in the town, who
belonged to the stronger
political party made a party bluff that
he and his followers were supporting
the other ticket for representative for
the legislature. Every party man was
to the issues involved in the
legislature last winter. Party alarm
was raised. State party money was
thrown in. There was no anxiety on
the part of temperance men on the Ii
cense issue. The town was sure for no.
license. But by bargain and buying,
corrupt politics won the day. The
liquor man carried his crowd for his
own party for consideration. License
votes were involved in the trade; and
the town is now notorious center of
rum distribution by a margin of six
votes. The dealers driven from the
neighboring town simply crossed the
line and the business goes on as before.
only from another stand a few miles
away.
BALLOT FRAUDS.
Here is pe1!cil two inches long with
one-half an inch at the top Aattened. A
liquor dealer in Vermont license town
gave this to ballot inspector instruct
ing him how to use it, telling him there
was $40 for him if by its use he carried
the town of Winooski for license. He
said they carried the town by the meth
ID last year. The fiat end of the pen
Gil is held between the fingers close to
the palm with point downward out of
sight. In counting baAots, all that is
necessary is to make mutilating mark
On few mo" ballots, and they are
thrown out. This year the ballot in
spector was a temperance mau and he
simply played into the rum sellers
hand to get the secret. He did not get
the 500, and the liquor dealer did not
get the town. The same thing is done
by a bit of lead under the finger nail.