East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1908-06-29
PROHIBITION IS
ISSUE IN MAINE
QUESTION OF RESUBMussION
OF "DRY" AMENDMENT
Rival Candidates for Governor Take
Opposite Stands-PrOhibltOn Has
Not Been Altogether Successful In
the State-DemOcrat Have Lined
Up With the "Wets" and Republl-
cans Expected to Champion "Dry'
Side

Bangor, Me-, June 29.-Bangor is
today filling up with politicians in ad-
vance OF what will probably be the
most exciting republican convention
In the history OF the state. Resub-
mission to a popular vote of the fifth
amendment to the state constitution,
which prohibits the manufacture or
sale OF intoxicating liquors is the issue
to be decided tomorrow.
The rival candidates for the guber-
material nomination have taken oppo-
site sdes on this question. William T.
Halnes OF Watervllle, declaring for re.
submission. while his opponent, Bert
NJ. Fernald, is opposed to such ac-
tion. Frederick f. Boothby Of Port
land, is the dark horse" in the race,
and may possibly be given the noml-
nation as compromise. Mr. Fernald
has been given the support OF all the
churches and Sunday schools OF the
state, and appearances today indicate
his nomination.
Tax reform also enters into the
question. but resubmIssion is the great
and overwhelming issue.
For so years Maine has ben try
ing to leglslate temperance into its
citizens. but even the more candid Of
the prohibitionlsts admit that the
attempt has been a failure. While
many small towns are dry" all OF
the larger cities are as wet as In any
license state. the only difference being
that bad liquor is sold under some
pretense OF secrecy. at an exorbtant
price.
Democrats Demand ResubmlssiOn.
The democrats are almost a unit in
demanding resubmlsslon OF the pro-
hibition question, and that fact may
cause the republican leaders to de-
eide on an opposite stand In tomor-
rows convention. The session will be
held in the big auditorium. which will
doubtless be crowded with delegates
and spectators.
Early in his campaign Mr.. Haines
declared himself favor Of resubmls-
. sion Mr.. Fernald has declared him
self opposed to resubmisson. Upon
one side or the other are arrayed in
dividuals, clubs. societies, newspapers.
churches, politicians, every interest and
influence that exists in Maine
The churches and conferences and
Sunday schools have passed resolu-
tions opposing Mr. Fernald's posi-
tion. likewise the temperance clubs
and most OF the professional promi-
nent women prohibitIonists has de-
clared in favor Of Mr.. Haines.
The arguments for and against re-
submission can be briefly stated
Those who favor resubmlssion say
that in the first place 1t is 25 years
since the people have had an oppor-
tunity OF expressing themselves upon
the subject, and that in that time
conditions have changed and views
may also have changed. Many or most
OF the supporters of the proposition
including Mr.. Haines himself say that
they are confident that the people
would reafflrm their adherence to the
principles, thus establishing the law
more firmly than ever as a part OF
Names political and moral code, and
by taking the question out of politics
for long term OF years would make
possible and probable better en-
fOrcement of the law.
Opponents OF resubmission declare
that II is but a device OF the enemies
OF the law to break down the constl-
tutonal barrier that now protects II
flom constant assaults In the legisla-
ture, and that the present agitation
is merely the first step toward license,
inspired by liquor dealers and selfish
politicians.
A peculiar thing about all this dis
cussion Is that II would matter very
little which candidate was chosen as
governor, so far as the settlement Of
the question Is concerned. It would
require two-thirds vote OF the legls-
latures to get the question of sus-
tanning or repeating the fifth amend
ment before the people, and so the |
only means of accomplishing the ref
erendum is to elect at least 101 of the |
151 members of the house of repre-
sentatlves and 81 of the 81 members |
of the senate favorable to the project, |
Mr. Boothby the third candidate,
merely observes that 1t is the legisla-
ture that MAKES and unmakes laws
that the governor Is the executive, and
that II elected he would execute all OF
the laws to the best of his ability.
Those seeking reforms he commends |
to the legislature.