Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-02-15

portion of those who were present We're
ladies.
Senator Staples appeared in behalf Of
the bill which ne drew, to repeal the
so-called Sturgis law. He said in part
i appear as citizen of the state
1 woaid not discuss this question in
connection with the prohibitory law
but instead DIS a question of govern
ment.
Il am opposed to government b.
commissions and il is question
whether we should depart from the
time honorcd custom OF allowing every
county to manage its own affairs
think that down in Knox county that
we are capable of managing our own
affairs.
Il DO not believe that this act is con-
stltutlon3l because after We are given
by the constitution the right to elcc:
our officers. the statutes cannot take
that right.
Il believe that you of Waldo have
the right to elect Your officers. and thar
you have the right to trust them. Ii
they do not enforce the law and the
people cannot trust them the people
can turn them out
Now you have had this on the stat
ute books; why / had the pleasure OF
being a member of the Senate two
years ago. When that bill came into
the Senate l opposed it on constitution
al grounds. 1t has worked a great in
jury to the State and il never did Il
mite OF good.
I'VE do not believe in sumptuary
laws. If you think you haven't laws
enough, turn to your statute book.
You have d sheriff and his deputies III
every county, The police officers and
constableS and assessors in every town.
What more do you want?
Il object to it on another ground.
The people of the State are burdencd
with that taxation of $4,000. the ex-
penScS Of the commission, and deny
that they have enforced the law any
better.
II don't know how you believe on
this question, M. Chairman, but
know how the people of the State be
lieve on 1t. III il was put 10 q VOTE
predict that seven-tcnths Of the peo-
pie would vote against them.
Such was the conduct of the en-
forccment deputies in our county that
the best people OF both the Democratic
and Republican parties We're aStOund-
Cd
Senator Merrill of Portland Was th"
next speaker. II" opposed the SturG!i
bin on tile ground t!.tt it was non
American. lie declared that nullifica-
ton WAS preferable to enforcement ny
commissioners. for the enforcement
and non-enforcement was likely to be
used as political weapon.
Mr.. Walter g. Emerson Of Portland
was called upon by Senator Staples.
He sprung Il little surprise when hs'
stated the opinion that the hypocrls''
of nullified law of - years had d.
!nand"d some such cxpcdient as III"
Sturgis law. unpopular though it might
be.
Ex-senator SturgiS appeared in Ia
Vor of the bill bearing his name. He
reviewed the conditions under which
the law was drafted, and especially the
three or four campaigns liz Cumber-
land county, paying particular attcn-
ton t. Sheriff Pcnnen.
The speaker held up the whole
scheme Of repeal to ridicuie and paid
his respects to tn" Portland Argus ana
WaterVile Sentinel.
Mr.. Sturgis said that things We're
getting loose again down in Climber
land county. and that it was not un-
likely that the ,Sturgis deputies would
be sert there. He closed with the dec
i;.raticn that if resubmission must
come then it should come from the
Democrats.
A. G. Stilphen of Gardiner said that
,.N whom hpfnrp
the Legislature. but after it became Il
law he was in favor of it. 1t was cur
rently reported. said he, that the
passage OF the law two years ago. Their.
were Is places in Gardiner that We're
selling openly, but | have not heard Il
suspicion for several months that there
were more than five selling on the sly.
Let that Sturgis law stay just where
it is.
II would add one more duty TO
those of the deputies. 1t would be to
find out whether the officers of the
county were Wifully neSlccting their
duty or not, and if they are then in
voking the Cakes act
Mrs. l.. NJ. n. stevens in opening
her remarks presented a remonStranca
against resuhmisson containing the
names Of 200 citizens of Bangor.
In reply TO the statement of Senator
Staples that the deputies did nothing
but walk around down IN Knox county.
she read q statement in the enforce
ment commissions report showing the
actual number of seizures made thtS, p.
She said that the SturgiS law has
power, AMI that was why she believed
in it, 1t is hated by the liquor fra
ternity ard that is another reason why
she believes in it.
John G.. Stewart Of York was the next
speaker He charged Senator Staples
with making political capital out of
the LIQUOR question. He then reviewed
again the conditions surrounding the
last two elections in York county and
followed it up by talking of his expert
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