The Washington herald., 1911-09-11
VETS AND DRYS
IN CLOSE FIGHT
IN MAINE TO-DAY
Coming Election Is Claimed
by Both Sides.
HOLD CHURCH SERVICES

forces acknowledge that the issue is in
organized, and have been conducting a
strenuous campaign for the last two
months, are somewhat discouraged. 1t
was said here to-day that the mo
License League" as it is called. an or
ganization of business men, which has
been supporting the prohibition cam
paign, recently made a canvass OF the
State. This showed that while the mo"
vote would win, II would be by such a
small margin (only 1000 or 5000 as TO in
dicate grave danger of a Yes victory.
The Yes forces, who are working for
the repeal of prohibition. say that their
canvass indicates that the vote for the
repeal Of prohibition will be at least
1900.
1t is generally conceded by prohibition
leaders that about all of the cities will
vote yes" and that some of the coun-
try towns will also go against prohibit
ton. ProhibtiOnists place their entire
reliance upon the rural districts. but will
make a strong effort to keep the yes"
majority down in the cities.
Rural Sentiment Divided.
On the other hand, the anti-prohibi-
tiOn forces say that in the country
towns there is a surprising sentiment
against prohibition. They declare. in
fact, that throughout rural Maine the
sentiment on the question of prohibit
tion is about evenly divided. They
contend that the cities will give large
majorities against prohibition, and,
with the country vote breaking even,
this will result in the repeal of the
prohibitory amendment.
The prohibition forces are making
strength at the polls. In every city
and town to-day there were pro-
cessions of school children and women.
while special services in churches and
out of doors will be held. In Portland
there was a big demonstration by
which several thousand school children
tried to rally the prohibition voters
Some careful observers say that this
sort of campaigning. in which the wom-
en- and children have been enlisted, has
not done much for the prOhibitOry
cause. They declare that a great many
men have become disgusted with the
activity displayed by women and by
orators who have been brought into
to show their disapprovaI they intend
to vote for the repeal of prohibition.
Influenced by Weather.
Mondays weather will undoubtedly
have an effect upon the prohibition
vote. II 1t should rain, 1t is said the
vote may fall off at least 25 per cent
and the result will be a yes" vote
large enough to repeal prohibition.
Rainy weather would not have any
great effect upon the vote in cities, but
It would unquestionably dampen the ar
dor of the prohibition voter who has to
lrive anywhere from five to ten miles
to reach a polling place.
1t is said here tonight that in the
event Of a yes" victory the Democratic
leaders in control OF the legislature are
planning to call a special session to
repeal the statute relating to pronibi-
ton and to pass some sort of a local
option law. Throughout the State the
Democratic leaders have made a parti-
san issue Of this campaign, and in many
instances II Is said, have been using
every effort to prevent Democrats from
voting for prohibition. 1t is believed by
them that II prohibition is repealed on
Monday it will result in making Maine
1 Democratic State for a great many
years. and will insure the election by
the next legislature of a United States
Senator to succeed the late William p.
Frye
On the other hand. Republican leaders |
are divided IN sentiment over the cues
ion, and many of the more prominent |
men, including some of those upon the
supreme bench. are opposed to prohfbi- |
ion. and will be numbered among those |
who will vote for its repeal.
Liquor Campaign Fund.
Claims are being made by the prohibi- |
ion press, which includes about all or |
he leading Republican papers, that
iquor interests outside of the State
AVE provided a campaign fund of at |
east $l50OO0. IT is said that this nonx,1
las been distributed throughout the
ural sections. TO be used in getting out
he vote against prohibition Anti
however. say that their
opponents have been distributing money
n cities and towns to secure men to
work. at the polls and to. drive through
he rural districts to get voters,
In a measure the outcome will he fora-
asted by the vote in the city of Port
and. There are more than 5000 voters
n Portland, the largest city in the State
nd II Is said that a canvass both by
rohibitionists and anti-prohibitionists
how that the sentiment against prohi-
ition is pronounced. Should Portland go
gainst prohibition by majority of more
han 1000 1t would indicate a distinct
ointment against the law.
If Portland should vote NO" It would
e the strongest possible indication that
he prohibition sentiment throughout the
tate is much stronger than is gen.
rally believed, and that the constitu-
onal amendment would still prevail.
Boston Interests Busy.
Anti-prohibitionists are saying that the
len engaged in the illegal sale Of liquor,
lso the Boston liquor interests, are try.
lg to bring about the, retention Of pro-
ibition. The contention is that the Bos-
IN liquor interests, who practically have
he entire Maine field to themselves, are
esirous of retaining the prohibitory law,
5 the express business which they do
18th people who consume liquor amounts
, hundreds OF thousands of dollars a
ear. Local liquor sellers are said ito be
,r prohibition because they realize that,
the local option law should be passed
nd licensed saloons established, none OF
lem would be able to secure licenses,
) the majority have been before the
1urts on the charge of selling liquor, IL
gally, and would be barred by any form
law enacted. III
Mrs. L. NJ. N. Stevens, national presi-
snt of the Woman's Christian Temper