Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-02-02

poncntS and the cause of the remon-
strants was opened by Mrs. L. NJ.
n. Stevens president of the State
and National w. e. 7. t., who de-
clared in the way of opening that the
present prohibtory law was the best
law ever enacted to apply to the liquor
traffic. She had studied the laws of
Other countries ard of other states
OF the Union and no law was effective
in its results as State wide prohibit
ton.
She declared that the fact that
liquor dealers Were getting ready for
the battle was proof that they feared
Tie prohibitory law. She denied that
liquor sellers CT dealers had ever been
in favor of the law.
If this Legislature should vote for
resubmissien, declared Mrs. Stevens.
we are ready for it and with us will
be the churches, the Sunday schools
and the Oranges. The speaker said
that the petitions for resubmission
which had came into the Legislature
since tAs~sssssssaee- observation-disclosures MALE
signed by repre- sentative men and wo-
men of the community. She quoted
Senator Staples as only relying. "let
them vote on it." when she asked him
if the salccn was a good thing and
if he wanted the PEOPLE of the State
of Maine to have the saloon legaliZed.
The women Of Maine are sacredly
in earnest" said Mrs. Stevens. we
do not care how hard the work If
we can only clear away the saloon
and the saloon interests
The speaker urged the committee in
th,. name If the children. the mothers
and the homes If the State to vote
''odght not to pass" upon the resuh-
mission resolve Mrs. Stevens plea
WIS most eloquent one and even
those who did not agree with her posi-
ton could not fail to be impressed
with her earnestness, sincerity ana
single hearted purpose.
w. T. c. Runnels Of Searsport. for
mer county attorney of Waldo coun-
ty followed with a stirring speech Tor
the remonstrants. He was glad that
he had discovered that the purpose
for which resubmiesion was asked was
for the securing o. local option. Local.
option would add difficulties TO the
enforcement of the law in places that
in liuuor cases would swear they
brought liquor in communities Wnere
il WAS lawful to sell it. The PROPOSE
ton of resubmisslon as II STOOD at
the present time was only to resuomlt
the question to u part OF the people
of the State, the women, VINO nau an
interest in the matter could not vote
and must submit to the wrong doing
without any redress. If resubmission
was necessity this Legislature should
first enfranchise every woman III 'he
state and her voice would then be as
effective as the common DRINKS that
are now crying for resuomlsslon'
The sneaker went on TO say that the
worst feature Of the present law was
the letting off of violators OF the law
with mere fines and that would pe
greatly increased under local option In
spite of the stringent penalties rec
commended by the proponents OF the
law. He charged that the entire work
OF the county attorney of Waldo coun-
tv during his last term had been the
mol pressing of liquor cases.
1T is this fraudulent and false en-
forcement that has turned the State
over III tEe fildtleT Vi pIpiIyilloii' ! ~
present Governor could never have
been elected if the prohibitory law had
been enforced said the speaker with
emphasis. IT'S wrong, gentlemen, 10
touch the prohbitory law. The fault
is not with the prohlbitory law that II
isn't enforced. it's the fault OF dis
honest scamps" Mr.. Runnells favor
ed the removal of sherifts and county
attorneys. not on the petition OF oo
persons, but whenever the Governor
saw or knew that they were not en-
forcing the law. Making local option
doesn't make honest men, remarked
the speaker in conclusion.
j.. r. Libby of Portland spoke in OPP
position to the measure from the
standpoint of busi mess man. He
said that the saloon could not be
taken out of politics until the saloon
was put out of existence. That was
the only way to solve the question and
solve it right. Slavery never was
eliminated from politics until the slaves
We're emancipated and slavery anihi-
lated. Local option only multiplied
and increased the troubles of enforce
ment. 1t is we'll to have local option
in states where state wide prohibition
Continued on Page Forr.)