Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-03-01

that our vote did not commit us to any
assertion Of opinion on that question;
the whole subject was left open to the
legislators who Were to be elected to
this Legislature and then they. inform
ed by the intervening events. could
voice the wishes of their constituents
! on this question. My recollections OF
the chairman's words. then made on
the public platform, have since been
confirmed by his statements in this
State House-for within two weeks he
has said to me that these We're the
statements he intended to express and
did express. Then, if we vote for re-
submission viewing the recent political
campaign, where this question was the
paramount issue. and mindful of the
results Of that campaign, how can we
be charged with broken faith?
Again it has been suggested that we
may in the future apply the rcferen-
dunn TO the statutes controlling the en-
forcement of the prohibitory law, and
thus attain the same results which are
asked for by resubmission. This sug-
Sestion appears to me as a mere make
shift in argument. We have no refer
ed by the constitution on just such
questions as this one now under con-
sideration. Why should We hesitate
to use this one and invoke one which
Will simply be employed, if ever it is,
to nullify the constitution? Does not
the proposition emphasize the unwar-
ranted fear of the supporters of pro-
hibition that they believe they are in
the minority on this great question? ?
At least does it not encourage our OPP
ponents in believing that We have this
fear? If 50. isn't our duty to ourselves
and our cause to come out in the omen
and contest the justice of our cause
with confidence that justice and right
will prevail?
The question of right and eXpediencv
still remains largely II question of
opinion, and claiming only the same
right of honest opinion on this uues-
ton that l grant to those of opposite
views, l urge upon the Republicans of
TINS senate to meet this issue now.
Let Us confidently take the verdict of
the people and manfully abide the re-
suit.
Mr.. STAPLES of Knox. having in
troduced the resolutions into this body
1t was a little unusual for the senator
10 supcrcedc me in what have to saw.
but | shall be more than repaid bv
having the senator from Kenncbcc nm
on my side ana advocating the cause
Of resubnlission.
slX years ago and four years ago in
'hlS body | stood alone in this matter
ana argued 1t as a matter of principle:
ana see the fruits of it today in hav-
ing the senator from Kennebec cs-
pouSe the cause that advocated six
years ago. | see light in the future.
lc?i today that the time is coming. if
II mas not come today, when the people
Of this State will throw away the
suise Of Hypocrisy ana advocate that
principle, which | believe to be grand
ana noble. and for the interests of the
people of the State Of Maine.
l have no APOLOGY to make as he
has, for the Democratic party That
PARTY has long advocated the rcfere1-
dunn and submission To the peonlc T
am glad the senator from Kennebec
mas seen the light, and may he go on,
ana may 1t shed more lustre upon him
- 'iit iuIuic ana upon every RpDuD1i-
can senator within the soun; Of NV
voice.
Mr. PRESIDENT, ] put this upon q
broader ground than anything politi-
cal | trust that | will not be accused
OF advocating this minority report to-
gay upon amy political idea. 1t ele-
Yates Itself above any political party.
II eievateS itself to the interests of
society. of the home and the fireside.
II advocated it simply as party policy.
l would not be here advocating it to-
gay put it upon a broader ground.
upon a ground that affects the
cillzehs Of this State cvcry-
where and that is, the interests of
good society. The Democratic partv
stands today in favor of a better tenn
pcrahce element in the State of Maine
ana L allow no one to go before me in
the cause of temperance. I stand an
palled at this question of prohibition.
appeal, not as q Democrat, but as a
c'tl]en OF Maine who believes in tenn