The Republican journal., 1909-04-01
Nearly Three Centuries
OF Temperance Agitation and Legislation
in Maine l636-19O9.
BY FRANK W. GOWEN.
NO. Z.

lowed as Grand Chief Templar by Mr..
Frank H. Dexter of Springvale, who was
elected to this high office at the Grand
Lodge session held in Bangor in April,
1892. At that session Grand Secretary
George E. Bracket of Belfast reported
the total membership as nearly 10000.
Mr.. Dexter, who is still living and is the
editor of the Springvale Advocate. made
an excellent Grand Chief Templar. Take
him all in all he was one of the most
level-headed and ablest members of the
Grand Lodge. There were more eloquent
speakers, but few, if any, who could write
a resolution or report as quickly, or
manage matters on the floor of the Grand
Lodge better than Bro. Dexter. During
his term of office l made tour of Aroos-
took county and organized lodges in near
ly every town in which l spoke. In sew
eral of the public meetings was assisted
by Rev. George M. Park of Presque Isle,
a prominent member of the order and a
very able speaker; also by Hon. Ira 6.
Hersey of Houlton, also member OF the
order and an eloquent speaker. He is
prominent member of the 74th Leglsla-
ture of Maine Prof. w. S. Knowlton,
now State Senator from Piscataquis
county and author of 1.-THE Old School
master, aided me very materially in my
labors in Caribou, where he WIS then
teaching, in establishing large lodge Of
our order. There were no more active
or nobler temperance workers in the
State than in Aroostook, and my tour of
that great county will always be one of
the happiest of my "reminiscences Of work
for the order in Maine. About this time,
or a year or so before, Clarence B. Bur-
leigh of Augusta. son of Congressman
Burleigh, became member Of the order
and was State Deputy for few years,
and also attended several of our Grand
Lodge sessions. Mr.. Burleigh is the edi-
tor of the Kennebec Journal, the author
of some excellent books, and a young man
of ability.
One of the famous men Of our State
who has been an active Good Templar is
Hon. Scion Chase. He has been State
Deputy OF the order and has spoken and
written in behalf the principles of pro-
hibition. Only a few years ago he adj
dressed large public meeting in Water
vile, at the close of the session of the
Kennebec District Lodge of Good Tenn
plars, and was my guest. This distin-
guished son of Maine, who has been one
of the most original and witty speakers
and writers, was born on the farm where
ne resides in Chase's Mills, in the town
of Turner, Sc years ago. He was men,
Der of the Maine Legislature in 1861 and
1862. 1t was, however, as a leader of
the Greentack movement in our State
and nation that his name became famous.
In the National Greenback convention in
1880 he came within few votes of being
nominated for President of the United
States. The candidates in that national
convention for the highest political honor
in our government We're Gen. James B..
Weaver of Iowa, Hon. Scion Chase of
Maine and Gen. Benz F. Butler of Mas
sachusetts. Mr. Chase withdrew in favor
of General Weaver and Weaver was
nominated. Mr. Chase was the Green
back candidate for Governor of Maine in
1882 and was the candidate for Congress
of this party in the End Congressional
district against the late Congressman
Nelson Dingley. A few years ago he
wrote series of letters for the Boston
Sunday Herald, which were widely read.
Uncle Scion is regarded as one of the
most interesting and able writer's in our
State. Occasionally | hear from him by
letter. When we were having such q
hard fight to defeat resubmission in the
legislature two years ago | heard from
MIN often. He was bitterly opposed tc
resubmission, and although at the adj
yanced age of "a he had arranged tC
Journey to Augusta to speak against re-
submission at the hearing held on the
18th of February in Representative Hall.
But the weather was very cold and stormy
on that day and he did not come. A few
days before the hearing on the resubmis-
sion resolve took place received the fol
lowing letter from him:
CHAsE's MILLS, Me-, Feb. 8, 1907.
DEAR FRIEND GoWEN:
If the weather looks pleasant l
shall be at Augusta to speak against
resubmission at the temperance hear
ing February 18TH Resubmission
would be backward step, and would
be so regarded by the State, and also
as step toward license. Although
am now "a, and not away from home
much in winter, yet | am ready to
speak and defend the principles of
prohibition.
These are noble words, written by q
grand old man who throughout his long
life has been staunch supporter of the
great principles of prohibition. Recently
| visited Uncle Scion and enjoyed the
day with him very much. He has fine,
large modern buildings on his farm, and
has in large gilt letters on a sign over his
barn door, ''Them Steers" phrase
which became famous during the stirring