Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-08-31
Not Drinkers. bu, Makers of Drink

Not Drinkers. but Makers of Drink.
You see the theory of Judge Manser' :
argument The liquor sellers think that
there is chance to increase their ouSi-
ness in Maine; How are they going to do
| it? Apparently through the substitution
OF some kind of license law in place OF
the Prphihitory Law.
Well. how can that be done \ LEXIS
lature must be elected that will enact
such law. Each member of that LcSis-
laturc must be elected by getting more
votes than his-opponent. That is, there
will be Il license law in maine when
members of the Legislature than for pro-
hibition membcrs.-Lewiston sun.
The sun wilfully misstates the facts.
lie sun knows we'll enough that it is
the intention of Democratic leaders
to call the present Legislature in eX-
tras rlinary session, if the constitu-
tional law is repealed. to perfect the
Democratic plans for a license system
With town and city option of local
prohibition. Then il is up 10 the PEG
If they can.
Tie difference between conditions
now and then is. that now the Rum
Trust and the Lewiston Sun and others
lave the laboring car, and under the
described intended conditions the peo-
pie would have the short end of the
lever
That is the value OF constitutional
law which is hated by cheap politi-
claus and those who profit by manipu-
lation of the law.
The sun says SO when Judge
Manser insists on keeping the prohibi-
ton amendment it seems to mean that
he is afraid to leave it to the voters.
No. he is not afraid to leave it to
tile voters. but he is afraid to trust
the peoples law in the hands Of I'M
scrupulous politicians and reckless
demagogues. The people placed the
law in the constitution, and sound
and honest lawyers like Judge Manser
are unhesitating in their verdict that
it had best remain there, beyond the
attacks of certain gigantic commer-
eial interests which hate all laws.
The Sun says: That seems to US much
the same as being afraid that after all
stainers. OF course if there were not
more than one drinker among ten voters
Judge Manser would not be afraid"
No, it is not the drinkers whom
Judge Manser fears. but it is the max
ers of drink. The ways and methods
devised by these interests would out
cunning the devil, and they work un-
ceasinglv and in the dark.
Judge Manser says:
believing il in the interests of the
State, and to be my duty as u pub
lie spirited citizen, 1 have been going
TO several OF the smaller surrounding
towns to talk for No votes and they
have told me that license will bring
business Yes it will bring business.
/ am lawyer and why shouldn't
vote yes? There will be more divorce
cases, more non-support cases and
why shouldn't | take advantage of
this opportunity for personal gain and
vote yes so us to share in the profits ?
| am also u bail commissioner. j can
show from the records of the police
department of the city of Auburn that
more DRINKS come over the bridge III
a single Saturday night during a pc
Rod of non enforcement than during
three months of fairly rigid enforce
ment The fee is SO and why shouldn't
! have share of these fees Why
| shouldn't / have steady income as
it is We'll known that there would
he many more under license?
Co vote no. | notice that bill
| boards have been erected and Gov
cred with these beautiful red post
efs telling you to vote yes Vote yes
and erect in place of these boards a
| beautiful gilded saloon. Then they
can say, We have fooled you with
this local self government gag. You
can vote mo- until Hell freezes over
and we will still lebauch every vein
and artery in your community