Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-03-12
MAINE LEGISLATURE.
CONTINUED from Page Four.)

another reason why l want to see il
srbmitte6--you cannot enforce any law
unon the statute books unless you have
nublic opinion behind you; and you
tnow that the public opinion in the
state of Maine is not in favor OF tile
nrohibitory liquor lava few fanatics
are. but the common sense and con-
seryative element of the State of
Maine, who have seen it tried for 81
Gears, do not believe in it because it
DOCS not prohibit; and l frankly say
n YOU. | want to see a way proposed
in which to regulate this matter. If
we have got to have rum among us.
let's for heavens sake, govern it in
the best possible way. And the best
way is not by the prohibitory liquor
:w: and you have evidence right here
in the state of Maine today to make
Vol blush to know how many saloons
are running, while the Sturgis Com
MISSION, and every other commission
yoa have got upon the statute books
in regard to the liquor question, are
tloa,ing around the State-and yo,
have got rum all over the State of
Maine today.
am very glad to say I am in favor
of local option. 1 believe in local op-
ton because. l submit. you can get
more prohibition out of it. Let the
peope of the towns and cities manage
It in their own way. I would have a
local option law surrounded by such
laws and such restrictions as would
keep it from making our young men
drunkards every day I tell you that
the Prohibition party in the State of
Maine and the prohibition liquor law
have got something to answer for. I
stand here to plead in behalf of the
Young men of the State, in which the
prohibitory liquor law is making drunk
ards every day of the year. You can
not prohibit it. because public senti-
nlent is against i'll believe the peo-
pie ought to have right to decide
that question. l think you ought not
to stand here and say to the people,
like the Pharisee of old as he wrap
red his cloak around him: 81 thank
God I am not like other men," That
is the effect of the fanatics of this
State-"Or. you must not discuss it; o.,
no. it is sacred; Mrs. Stevens says you
must not discuss it, and you follow
on after these fanatics. But tell you
that the people demand it. The vote
Of last fall in the State of Maine shows
how the people demand the resubmis-
sion Of this amendment. Why have
not they a right to vote uopn it2 They
haven't voted upon it for "a years. why
should they not have an opportunity
now
Let's look at the matter just as it is.
We find today that there is more liquor
imported into the State of Maine than
there ever was before. The express
companies arc loaded with it. And
what have you done by the prohibi-
tory liquor law? You have driven the
young mon and boys of your cross
roads and country towns to send to
Boston and other places to get gallons
and gallons Of liquor and carry it home
by the wholesale ard drink it; and
therefore, we have in our country
towns-and live in the country-far
more dehauchery from that cause than
We had when it was sold openly. And
1t is growing upon you. 1t is our duty
10 the young men of the State to do
something
The people will take care of the rum
question in the best possible way; but
just as long as you keep it in politics.
you cannot enforce the law. You have
tried II for 80 years. You have spasmS
OF enforcement just before election,
notce-not just before election, but
just after election Just before election
there is not any enforcement in this
state. Everybody knows it. And the
majority Of the politicians of this State
In the Republican party dare not to
undertake to enforce the law. You
are playing with it upon the one hand
one way, and upon the other hand an
other way, and just as long as you do
that, just so long the young men will
be driven to ruin. and you have got
10 be responsible for it somewhere.
| believe if you have a local option
law That YOU can cover it in the best
possible way. | will admit that this
rum curse is the greatest curse that is
known to humanity today. l admit it
Is DONG more injury to the home ana
inc fircslde. and that it causes more
aching hearts and scalding tears than
any other law in the Statute books;
and the pr"hibitory law is responsible
Tor 1t IN my honest judgment.
IL you have local option under such
restrictions as | conceive it may be
mad, the young men who now send to
session for rum will get a glass of beer
ana we shall not have these drunken
d'bauchcrcs that we see all over
inc state, which arc disgrace to the
state of Maine
ms prohbitory law cannot be man.
aged In this State in my estimation. 1t
mas ooen enforced, l think, as we'll as
!. can he enforced, but you cannot do
It where there is no public sentiment
pehnd1t. No law can be enforced that
mas not got Il big, vigorous public SEN
unent behind it. What is the reason
mat We have no petitions coming in
mere IN favor of resubmission? Ny an
s"er to that is that the vote of last fall
showed that the people demanded a
risht to vote upon this great. import
ant. moral question that is affecting
Every freside and every home almost IN
New England. tell you it is a serious
uWStion. | do not care anything about
Tue rumsellcr. l argue here today IN
.aVor OF submitting this to the people
III IN" interest of temperance and good
morals in the State of Maine | Will