The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1908-07-16
PROHIBITION IN MAINE.

The controversy relative to the value
of the State prohibition law has brought
forth a wealth of endorsement OF that
law by some of the most prominent
public men OF the State. Some OF these
declarations are as follows:
The Hon. Charles S. Hichborn, presl-
dent of the First National BANK OF Au-
gusta, former mayor, ana chairman
of the Kennebec County Republican
committee:
"If you ask me, Has the prohibitory
law contributed to the upbulldlng OF
the moral and material forces OF thlS
State?' | answer unqualifiediy, es.
The Hon. Bert M. Fernald OF 70
land, Republican candidate Tor COVER
nor:
Il have for many years believed that
prohibition is the best policy for Maine,
and | certainly think that prohibition
is success"
Governor William I. Cobb:
"The fact that Maine has had pro-
hibitory law for over fifty years and no
agitation can change it, would certain
ly indicate that the majority OF Maine
people believe it to be a success.
Arthur K. Chapman, assistant United
States district attorney:
''The law is a success and could not De
termed failure either in Portland or
in Maine
Morrell N. Drew, former speaker OF
the Maine house of representatives..
and banker:
'The prohibitory law is not an entire
success, but it has tendency to cur
tail the use of liquor and is perhaps as
good regulation of the liquor traffic
as can be found"
Clarence w. Peabody, lawyer:
''The law is a great success In Maine,
l believe. Why? Well, | have lived in
Maine all my life, and have only seen
open saloons once or twice in years.
Chief of Police Bowen OF Bangor
says:
Il don't think it is failure, and then
again l think it is. Its enforcement is
a failure, but the blame for the lack OF
enforcement is on the courts for not
giving Jail sentences for selling liquor
Capt. John 7. Gilman, inspector IN
the customs department.:
cit is and it isn't Enforcement OF the
law is failure. | am not in favor OF
license nor of resubmission, but I'm
willing to re-submit if the people want
it. | believe prohibition would be sus-
tanned by vote of two to one"
Howard Davies of Yarmouth, rep
resentative in the present legislature,
in speaking of the Prohibitory Law re-
Gently said:
81 consider it the best regulation of
the liquor traffic that has thus far been
devised. | believe the more attractive
yon make the selling of alcoholic
liquors, the more they will be sold
Woodbridge W. Odlin of Cambridge,
Maine, made this reply to the question.
SIS Prohibition in Maine Failure?"
No, it is not failure. 1t has lots to
contend with from the opposition. l
can remember more than fifty years
ago when many, if not all, of the little
country stores sold rum from the back
room and down cellar. At that time
East Pittsiield was very small town,
and boy as [ was at that time, | can re-
member it was no uncommon sight to
see men staggering along the road with
a load they had better go twice for, and
other country towns the same. | defy
anyone to find towns in Maine today of
the same size with half the drunkenness
of those times. 1t is true the cities for
the past few years are trying to make
great show for the rum side. Prohibi-
ton is better than license or local op.
ton