Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-09-11
Monday. September II, 1911.
Proof From Lowell, mass.

are enforced, that regulation resu
lates any better than prohibition
prohibits. he should read the ind!ct
nnent below of conditions in Lowell
Mass, by Rev. George f. kenngott
pastor of the First Trinitarian Con
2regationaI church of that city. Thu
description Of conditions in Lowell ar
taken from the proof sheets of tn
Rev. Kenngotts forthcoming book OF
The Lowell Social survey" published
by the Macmillan Company of New
York The material for this book was
originally. the thesis of the Rev Kenn
gott al Harvard University for his de
gree OF Pm ID. which he received il
1910
In personal letter to the editor ol
the itennebec journal, the Rev. 5tenn'
gott writes: Il could write much on
The general matter of intemperance,
but this article is TO show that Lo-
CAL OPTION AND THE LICENSED
SALOON Do NOT MAKE FOR TEN
pERANCE OR FOR Law AND OR
DER
As a summer resident af the beau
fiful Isle au Haul of Maine | am in
terested in the legislation OF Maine in
relation to the saloon. From a visit
TO Bangor and Portland, | am aware
that the present prohibitory law does
no. prohibit and that there is dis
satisfaction throughout the State be-
cause Of the reinforcement of the
laws rela ting TO the sale of intoXicat-
the change Of the laws but in their
strict enforcement. If the laws are
found TO be intolerable, AFTER
THEIR ENFORCEMENT in the let
ter and in the spirit, then it will be
time enough to change them.
AS IA resident of the city of Lowell.
Mass, for nearly 90 years. l know that
the laws relating TO the licensed saloon
are no better enforced than are the
pTtsttit pIoilbltUIs lsWS VI hd1iitt anu
drunkenness is much more common
here than in Maine. 1t is easier to
enforce the laws of Maine than il is
the Massachusetts laws relating to the
saloon. Personally. l should be very
sorry to see any licensed saloon in the
state of Maine
Below we give, from the galley proof
of the Rev. kenngott's book. to show
that regulation" does not regulate.
and as indisputable evidence that, I'M
der license system, where the brew
ers and wholesalers are pulling the
ton With police officials who are di
rccted by police commissions frequent
~ bought and owned by the liquor in
terests. enforcement of the law Gap
proved and advocated by the liquor in
terests) is not only impossible of en-
forcement but could hardly be expected
by an intelligent public.
We would call particular attention to
the clear cut declaration by the Rev.
kengott that the remedy lies not in
the change of the law, but in it's strict
enforcement" The prohibitory law of
Maine is not to blame for the lax en-
forecment, but the lack OF an aroused
public conscience is 10 blame for those
things which The liquor interests and
selfish politicians seize upon to fay the
law and to Nbe it from the eonstitu-
ton and statutes if possible II the
law mad been enforced tos the letter,
and had been found intoierabIe. then
We conld have complained of its in
efficiency, but it is true that wherever
the Law has seen its best enforcement
there the people are convinced of its
utility and are strongest for its en-.
foreement. Notably. the example o.
Somerset should be considered. Their,
the law has been enforced by Demo
cratic sheriff, the people were please
with the law and with the sheriff, S
Republican county reelected tn
Democratic sheriff and by a larger ma
Jority than ever given previously t
am Official in that county. The peopl
of Somerset county are still please
with the law and the sheriff. and the
will vote, two 10 one, for the prohibi
tory Law today, Monday, Sept. II.
If Somerset county, after strict en-
forcement, had found the law intole,
able. they could have been excused Z.
demanding a change but finding
better approved as better enforce
should be a sufficient reason why II
people of Maine should retain the la
and demand throughout the State sue
enforcement as now in vogue in Sor
erset county.
From 1.-The Lowell Social Survey
In the city of Lowell, the police d
Dartment is, for the most part, e
fective, except in the enforcement
the lin1iar I1Ng (which ara l;1io,,t4