Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-08-12

Journal at Central Maine station, the
other day. There he met a man
who has long been connected with
violations of the prohibitory law; who
repeatedly has been before the court
charged with violation of the liquor
law, and has served time in Jail
for wilful and persistent breaking
of the law. He is a loudmouthed,
self -assertive man, who delights in
ATTRACTING attention of people by
voicing his well-known sentiments
against the desires of the law-loving
element of his community. He is
avoided by some of the better people
of the countryside, who are familiar
with his characteristics. because OF
his we'll known propensities as pro-
voker of such scenes.
On the occasion referred to, at the
little Sebasticook & Moosehead sta
ton, this efficient representative OF
class which seems ready to disregard
law whenever 1t is possible to do so
with personal benefit, and probability
of escaping punishment. was deter
mined to impress upon the little gath
ering his contempt for prohibitory law
and for all those who are working to
retain 1t. He recited in sonorous
tones and high sounding phrases the
literature and laid special stress upon
the benefits to be derived under Ii
cense system in reduction of taxes.
He figured a great saving to the
State in taxes. and wished TO impress
his hearers with his belief that, be
cause of this saving on his tax bill.
he should vote for repeal of the pro-
hibitory law. He forgot, for the mo-
ment, that he was one of the Portland
Argus representatives of the liquor
interests who are going to vote with
the ministers and educators for pro-
hibition. He forgot all except his
hatred for the law because il has pur-
sued him so effectively as to land him
behind the bars, after having paid
fines for violating the law. He
showed his real interest and his desire
to do away with the law, in order that
he might pay stipulated fine in the
form of license, and then go on with
his violation of the moral rights of
his community.
This man is not politically in SYM
pathy with the administration. but
will vote with the majority of Demo-
Gratis to repeal the law. He made 10
bones of his opposition to prohibition,
and publicly announced that he would
do all in his power to carry out the
demands voiced by the Democratic
party. Yet the Journal representa-
tive was informed that on recent oc-
casion he had pretended to side with
the prohibitionists, and had claimed
that he would vote with them, because
he could make more money under ex-
listing conditions, IN spite of the strict
surveillance of the county officials
than he could under license
system. However, in the excitement
of argument and the fact that his
nonsensical statements We're easily re-
futed, causing several laughs at his
expense from the bystanders, he for
got his professed sympathy with the
prohibitionists and loudly and pro-
fanely denounced the law.
This man was one of those whom
the Argus and other Democratic or
gans are claiming are to be put out OF
business by a license system, and are
thus working with might and main tC
retain the prohibitory law. 1t looks
reasonable. doesn't it? If you are in
clined to believe that this class of mer
is in sympathy with the retention OF
the prohibition law. go out and get
into warm discussion with the near
est one you know, If there are any in
your part of the country. We have
not the slightest doubt that many OF
these men will pretend that they are
working for prohibition. up to the day