Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1907-01-08
NUMBER 2.

OF the prohibitory law could have been
prevented: First, by dntiful action OF
the local officials: second, by the re-
peal of the probibitory law itself in.
volving resubmisslon and the adoption
OF some method Of license TO regulate
the liquor traffic, and third by the au.
thoriZation ald exercise OF powers
similar TO those granted tne Enforce
ment Commissioners under the Stur.
gis law. The local officials could not
or would not act, prohibition continued
to be the policy of the State and
trial Of the Sturgis law was impera-
tive. am attempting TO discuss the
measure purely as means TO prevent
notification. and believe that large
majority Of the law-abiding citizens
of the State, irrespective Of party, sub.
stantially a9ree that the law was nee.
essary and that il has justified its
existence. The day OF open and easy
notification of the prohibitory law
has passed in Maine. Public senti-
ment and all the moral forces OF the
State have been aroused and arrayed
against IL, and 1t will never return.
with all the clamor against the ex-
pense OF the Sturgis law, with all the
outcry alleging political trickery, in
sincerity ard cowardicc on the part OF
its sponsors and its officials, still
hold TO the opinion that the people OF
Maine believe that notification is In.
G.itely worse than any law which
sevss 10 prevent it. AMI respectfully
submit la,., It l. incumbent upon
every man who believes in the princi-
pie Of lav-cIforcemCat as iEdispensa-
BILE to tie cagse OF COOL government
and goCi citizenship, to support the
Sturgis law cr to propose and support
some other measure which will ad-
vance that cause as well.
The attempt 10 secIre a better en-
forcGment OF the prohibltory law by
means OF the Enforcement Commits
sion has brought the resubmission
question into such prominence that
failure to refer to 1t in this address
would invite grave misunderstanding.
The statement will stand unchal-
lenged that speculation on the action
this Legislature may take in dealing
with resubmission Is causing more
comment and exciting more interest
than any other topic Of public moment
in Maine. enter upon brief dis
cussion of this question with reluc-
tance. not because OF the lack OF con-
victions or an unwlllinSnoss TO ex-
press them, but simply because OF the
doubt in my mind as to my ability to
present some of its phases without
violating the prophecies of an occa-
sion upon which references to party
politics are neither expected nor de-
sired.
Every thoughtful and fair.minded
student of political conditions in
Maine must admit that there Is a very
strong sentiment in favor o. the prop
ostiGn to give the vo:ar5 ~ o "ortun.
ity 10 express al tlIr polls their opin.
ion OF the present prOhibitoTv law.
Wn!lp this sentiment my rOg De- that
OF the majority now, i, surely is held
By very large minority OF our citi-
zens, and he .esdl.: Of the september
elections Last "2ar S"sm n f'rnish
complete jus'!Gcct'0n II this conclu-
sion. II Is t"l. lat fhy .:g"..ace
legislation On ouf 2iatate Books was
placed thora during the domination
of one political party, &Hd /. is also
true that nearly every T'.fjl opposed
TO the prGhi'tory law an its en-.
forccment favors rcsubmiss.on. But
II may be asserted with -gIal ruth
that a belief IN the prohib!tory law is
not confined to tn alherents III either
Of the two great PARTIES. and that
the desire for resu6mission IS not con-
fined to the enemies o. that law.
There are many men. earnest and sim
cere in their advocacy and support OF
and enforced prohibition
who believe those principles Will be
by their rcsubmission TO
the people under the only method by
which this can be accomplished at
this time. To them he calse OF pro-
hibitiOn is o. far greater Importance
than the success either Of Republican.
ism or Democracy. end TO promote
and conserve that cause they organ
'Zed and mantainci the Prohibition
party. But they c, celfally s,criiiced
their own Orgariz tipn IL behalf OF
the greater principle, an! aliying
themselves with another party be-
cause Of it's promise to enforce the
law and lis opposition 10
resubmisSlu.i. contributed largely TO
It's success These men feel that re.
submission granted by this Legisla-
lure would be diStinc; AMI Gnpardyn-
able betrayal by the dominant party
of uany WHO worked for and helped
TO achieve its victory. They insist
that rcsubmission in its proposed
form is blow 10 prohibition and an
attack on Temperance and refuse to
endorse the suggestion liat the peo-
pie are entitled 10 vote Jl an amend
ment TO the Constitution whCn very
large number have unqdest!2nably sig
niied desire to that effect.
II is extremely unfortunate for what
conceive To be tho trda cause or
that resolution to resub'
nit the prohibitory amendment must
be in form at least practical coh'
by the Legislature OF the
present policy OF prohibition, and not
the authorization Of a simple referen-
dunn 10 ascertain the peoples views.
Were Il not for this fact and the prob.
able etiCct that the mere passage OF
such resolution would have upon
the friends of the prohibitory move
ment everywhere, | believe there
would be little or no opposition TO the
reasonable, plain and unencumbered
to place the original ques-
ton before the voters again FOR their
approval or rejection. II that partic-
ular ard important objection could be
and the question be referred
to the people directly, solely on Its
merits and unhampered by the preju
dice excited by premature and unneo
essary legislative condemnation. the
of Maine would rally to reaf.
firm their belief in the prohibitory
law, and the cause OF temperance be
strengthened and advanced.
For if we accept the principle OF the
we must recognize the
fact that its fundamental strength
lies in the right of an appeal to the
people, and no good cause II fairly
and properly presented, should hesi.
tate TO enter that Court or should fear
It's verdict.
| thank you, Gentlemen, for your
courteous attention, and am sure that
no more worthy desire can animate
Us than TO perform our respective
duties here faithfully and fearlessly
for the best interests Of the State We
love so well.