Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-09-16
Saturday, September 10, 1911.
A Public opportunity.

the lInGSl We read Inc HlEhdec Va
grave error ON the part Of the iriendS
of good government enforcement oil
law and moral advancement. In the
enthusiasm OF awakened and strength
encd moral impulses the advocates OF
progress should not make the mis-
take of dividing their forces for the
sake of showing how we'll certain
factions can walk alone. The newt
able result must be defeat of all fac
tions and vietery for the enemy which
all oppose
The friends of good government
must stand together in their demands
for better conditions than have ex-
listed in recent years. rather than to
allow worse conditions than even now
exemplifled
Certain strong elements which have
figured in the recent campaign should
note the opportunity now presented.
Never was the situation so eloquent
in its appeal for common-sense hand
ling with assurance of effective re-
suits.
At the present moment We are not
in temper to defend past methods of
either old party. nor do we wish to
hold either up as an example of per-
lection, but we dc feel that the time
has arrived when it is possible to
harness politicians to the pillow of
progress.
We believe the hour is here when
the Grange, the prohibitionists, the
church. the ". c. T. L. and other or
CARNATIONS can force the party which
expects to win TO nominate men
pledged to carry out the popular will.
Accepting the claim of c. S. Stet-
son. State master of the Grange, that
that splendid body Of citizens has be-
come factor to be reckoned with in
public affairs We recognize that just
as true might be the claim that the
Prohibitionists must be so considered
in the future.
or course each Of these factions is
largely Of the other and both partake
of the blood of the old political par
ties. Thus the necessity for self and
factional abnegation for the good of
all. State Master Stetson says:
From this time on the grange is
going to be q factor in the enforce
ment of the law. This campaign
would not have been forced upon us
had 1t not been for the scoundrels
and graftefs that have been elected
to enforce the law. To hold the Of
flee OF sheriff in Maine has been equiv
alent to a fortune except in few
honorable exceptions. The people
have become thoroughly tired of this
and they are going. to put stop to
IT, In their anger they were turning
10 license and would have adopted that
system if the grange had not stepped
IN ard prevented it,
From this time on the grange is
done with party so far as the offices
of sheriff and county attorney are
concerned. We shall vote only for
fnen who are tried and true on the
prohibition question No more self
seeking politicians for us. II both
parties name that class, as they have
been doing, then there will be a citi-
zens' ticket in the field. The public
conscience is now thoroughly aroused
and something is going to be done to
stop officials from selling out to rum
over all parts of the State and /
thoroughly understand the public tenn
PER. The people are going to cut
loose from all political parties on this
question. We have no faith whatever
IN the machines OF either party and
for that reason the bull must be
taken by the horns and dealt with in
a different manner. Yes, YOU can say
for me that from this time on the
grange of Maine is going to take q
hand in eleeting the officers who arr
TO enforce the prohibitory laws. An(
YOU can also thank the grange of tn,
country towns for saving the law a
embodied in the prohibition amend
ment. The strength of the order i
now demonstrated so that he VIII
runs may read
AS the Grange is made up of pee
pie Of all political affiliations. if tn
words of Mr.. Stetson are Gas we hav
no reason to doubt true. the day
OF political bossism are numbered
BIT the consciousness of strength s
often leads 10 indiscretion that
suggestion might not be taken as un
kindly meant. II is this:
IT the Grange and the Prohibtionist
content themselves with leading pub
lie sentiment. with forcing politica
parties to nominate men pledged [
enforce the laws. and with seeing tina
they dc it or have official conduct ri
fleet upon respective parties. the
will accomplish world of good.
The old parties should be held re
sppnsible for enforcement of Law
rather than constructive Legislation
The proof of the pudding is in II
eating. If law, when well enforce
proves obnoxious TO order and publ
welfare il is time TO repeal it, Bl