Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1911-07-25
For Schemes That Are Dark
AND TRICKS THAT ARE VAIN.

There has been vague rumor coming
from no particular source that Is &C
Elusive that it cannot be confirmed ant
so indefinite that no dependence can be
placed in it, that the men that are SELL
| ing liquor illegally in this state are going
to vote to keep the law as II now IL, thai
is, they are going to vote for prohibition
There 10 no doubt but this story has
been industriously circulated either As
matter of gossip or as a part of shrewd
plan for catching the vote OF the unwary.
Just why a man who Is now making
money Illegally should wish to keep on
dol ng so when he could do so legally,
has not been clearly stated to the people
that are willing to look into the matter
and weigh the evidence.
believe that this story was started in
the mind of some cunning schemer in
the interest of those who are trying to
do away with the prohibitory law in our
state, and that it is part Of q deep laid
plot to bewilder and befog the minds Of
the voters so that they will be oil their
guard when election day comes. / be-
lieve that it 10 absolutely false, an ab-
surdity that is so foolish that no one
wants to claim as his own belief, but
pass it along as "say so" from some
mysterious source. If this report should
be followed back and 1t was possible to
find where it originated think you
would find that 1t came from the same
source that 10 putting thousands of dol
lars into our state to overturn our pro-
hibitory law.
II the liquor element were so anxious
to have the present law kept az it is why
did they not show themselves in our
legislature last winter and use their in
flusnce to prevent the vote that was
passed at that time? Did any one hear
Of their great anxiety that our present
law should be done away with at that
time?
BE ON YOUR GUARD.
This Is one of the many tricks and
schemes that will be used to try and ill.,
1uence the unwary voter to vote the
wrong way or to make him Indifferent
md not vote at all.
There are other stories being circulat-
I'd In the papers that are known to favor
he saloon, all of which l believe are
matter paid for by the peo-
Die that want saloons in Maine, and
printed for the sole purpose of deceiviug
he people. Do not be fooled by this
tory, but calmly think it out for your.
elf aud try and understand why it will
10 better for man to sell liquor on the |
ly and illegally, than it will be for him
o sell it after the law gives him the |
of selling it openly and with |
'ut violating the laws. II our jails we're |
thrown open and the prisoners |
Eere all pardoned would they 90 away |
o enjoy their freedom, or would they |
Eish to stay in Jail?
AND THE wooDCHUCK. |
This apparent scheme on the part of
he saloon men reminds me of the way |
hot woodchuck once when was a
10Y, and while do not pretend to have
be cunning ability that is arrayed
gainst the temperance party in this |
did to that woOdchuck what |
he saloon men are trying to do to the
law.
There was a crafty old woodchuck
hat took up his abode in the middle of
piece of clover in the center of large |
cid. and in spite of my persistent at
smpts was not able to get him. He
las too cute for traps and too quick for
~ gun, for he was out of sight just as
OF in range. He seemed to know just
ow far my gun would shoot.
One day l thought | would try new
cheme on him, and as l had always ap-
az nd mil ho
reatest care, decided to try another
curse. So, with great show of care
,ssness and whistling as il woodcbucks
1ere farthest from my mind, l marched
y his hole and passed by within close
ange, not looking his way. Of course
o ducked into his hole when / got too
ear, and the instant he was out of
light ] ran for his hole and lay down in
be grass about two rods away, and with
~ gun aimed about three inches above
be top of his hole | waited until his
uriosity should prompt him to look out
gain.
He went into his hole with the hope
I long life and safety in his heart, for
o had just seen his danger pass by and
ay no attention to him. He was in just
he condition that the saloon men want |
be prohibition people to be in when
hey vote next September, but he was
90 sure, he was not on his guard, he put
is head out too quick, and blew him
nto the next world with the hope OF
ecurity with him, just the same as the
aloon men will do to the prohibitory |
aw If they can make enough of our
oters believe that the saloon men, the |
iolators of our laws, are going to join
orces and help the temperance people
.eep the prohibitory law as it now is.
GEO. r. MORTON.