The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1910-09-01
WHAT IS NAMES BEST
ASSET TO-DAY. -?
Character OF People and Absence of
Rum Selling Prove Strong Argu-
ment For Purchase of Land Sure
to Increase In Value.


/. 1t is its flood of summer visitors
who are the consumers of the pro-
ducts of the farms, who buy its real
estate from one end of the State to
the other and who occupy the cot
tages that have been built for rental.
1t is the Development of its tracts of
sea shore, the islands and its thous-
and miles of coast, its lakes, rivers,
hills and valleys, its living springs of
crystal water and invigorating atmos-
phere.
2. There is another condition of
atmosphere which of all others is a
most potent factor and active asset
the State of Maine possesses and that
is the high morals of its people. 1t
stands for temperance and so strong
is the sentiment in its favor that
while it may be acknowledged that a
sions take a little for the stomach's
sake people who are habitual drinkers
vote for prohibition because of very
shame for fear of being classed with
those who drink and because of the
ban that is attached to all the mem
bers of his family. Maine, particularly
the rural communities, is clean and
uncommonly free of the curse of rum.
There are small patches Qittle hells)
sections of cities where the blight is
apparent but not usually to a re-
markable degree and these places are
only samples of high license as the
fines and plasters of the sheriffs prac-
tically amount to that. But be that
as bad as it may, no case even the very
worst has ever been known to COM
pare unfavorably with the conditions
existing in licensed states. This is
SO apparent to the summer visitor
from other states that he does not
hesitate to bring his children to
Maine because of the beneficial influ-
ence it effects. Why the very air in
the business streets of a Maine city
where the law is enforced, the poor
est would analyze a thousand per cent
freer of alcoholic odors than the
city where license law exists in any
city of equal size in this country
There is corruption in Maine ant
anywhere else where money can be
freely made either in the sale oil
liquor, obscene cards and literature
or otherwise polluting the morals
particularly of the young. A vile
picture or story inoculates into the
mind a poison that can never be
eradicated, polluting the life forever
Lying and stealing are lesser crimes
and the man that takes even a ply
steal life has done all he can do. Let
us hope that the day will come when
these offenders shall be dealt with
and that they be allowed to exchange
places with State prison convicts
there for offences only one thousandtf
part as great Prohibition is the best
asset the State of Maine has today
and its strict and impartial enforce
ment would add tremendously to its
wealth both in happiness and money
value. The rumseller under license
increases his wealth only in the pro
portion that the user of intoxicating
liquors and his family are deprived
of home comforts that rightfully be-
long to them. Little Diamond Islant
is clean, safe for you and your chill
dren 1t is unlike summer resor
places in general. There is no row
dyism and no tendency that way. L
was started right with high mora
tendency which the residents stant
for and encourage. 1t is not healthy
for people of low morals, they are
not wanted and they know it ant
move out Wealth is not the only
qualification required to be a resident
of Little Diamond, but there is one
sure thing the owner of the lots pur'
chased in 1910 has become wealthy tc
the proportionate amount of the lots
secured by purchase. The value of al
Portland real estate is sure to adj
vance and in the prophecy looking
backward from 1920 the advances
have proven to be fully up to eXpec-
tations. One hundred thousand dol
lars invested in Portland city proper
ty or it's nearest island, Little Dia'
mond has more than doubled in value
since 1910, ten cent lots selling now
readily at 80 cents per square foot
and others in like proportion. If you
are wise you will consider the pro-
phecy and buy at once. 1t is the only
safe course.
iCohhossaaeoufpQ,s New Lighthouse,