Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-09-11
{ VOTERS WILL DECIDE HAS FAITH IN MEM
BaIotino on Prohibition in Champ Clark Depores Charges
Maine Today of Public Corruption.
v iRESlJl MUCH IN DOUBT THINKS WORLD Is BETTER
VETS and Claiming Being
Puaities Official Life.
ELECTION IS IDEAL URGES MORE CHEERFUL VIEW
a Deca Bad for Future
Queled.
BaI|oting on Prohibition in
Maine Today.
RESULT MUCH IN DOUBT
VETS and Drys Both Claiming Large
Pluralities.
ELECTION WEATHER IS IDEAL
Campaign Closes With Parades of
Children-Near Riot at Lewis
ton Que1led.

PORTLAND, Me. September Ii
Maines fame as the pioneer prohibi-
ton state of the Union is swaying in
the balance today. Daylight saw the
first of the army of voters which is
to decide the question of whether the
prohibitory amendment shall be re-
tanned in the constitution on their way
to the polls. and as the hours passed
the stream grew in size. With ideal cleo
tion day weather, there was every indl-
cation that the vote would be unusual
1y large In all section. In the cities
particularly there was an early vote
cast, while in the outlying districts the
voters did not begin to put in an ap-
pearance until well into the forenoon.
1t is on the rural districts that the
prohibition workers depend for the
votes with which they expect to keep
Maine in the no-license column.
simultaneously with the opening of
the polls this morning prayer meet
ings. which were to continue without
cessation throughout the day, opened
in many of the city churches.
If the license interests are success
full today there is said TO be every pos
sibility that Gov. Plaisted may be pre-
vailed upon to call special session of
the legislature to take action on the re-
peal of the statute law. which in effect is
the same as the constitutional amend
ment. and the amendment Of another law
for the regulations of the liquor busi-
ness.
Advocate Local Option.
A local option law, such as prevails in
Massachusetts, is what the license advo-
Gates seek. In the regular course of
events the matter would not come up be-
fore the legislature until January. 1913.
when the complexion of the state govern
ment might be much different than. that
Of the present body.
In addition to the prohibitory law the
people are casting their ballots on three
other referendum questions Two of them
have to do with amending the constttu-
ton, one to make Augusta forever the
capital of the state and the other to
raise the debt limit of cities OF more
than 10000 population from 5 to I2 per
cent which affects Portland alone. The
third question has to do with the adoption
Of statewide direct primary law
which was initiated by petition of 1o.00O
voters.
In every city and town in Maine yester-
day children marched with banners call
ing on the people to vote today in favor
of retaining the prohibition clause In the
state constitution. Representative Rich
mond p Hobson of Alabama addressed
two meetings in this city, and scores Of
automobiles toured the towns and vii
lagos. carrying temperance workers.
Near Riot at Lewiston.
A near riot, which the police were call
ed on to suppress, was precipitated,
while former Gov. ]. Frank Hanly of In
diana was speaking for prohibition in a
public park at Lewiston yesterday.
The no-lice~se advocates do not feel as
confident Of the outcome as they did
week ago. The license forces have held
no meetings and they have made no
speeches, but they have distributed tons
of literature and in one way or another
have personally reached most OF the
voters in the state, even those In the re-
motest lumber districts.
George w. Norton, secretary OF the
no-lcense movement estimates plu-
rality of 1900 against changing the con-
stitution. Some of his workers put the
figures at 10000 The managers of the
campaign for repeal claim 10000 to 2O,OOO
plurality This is the estimate OF Fred
erick G. Fassett, secretary and treasurer
of the Maine Non-Partisan Self-Govern-
ment League, who said yesterday:
..rhere is no doubt the liquor prohibi-
ton clause will be voted out Of the state
constitution"
Former Mayor Adam P. Leighton of
Portland, said: Il believe that the people
Will vote by a majority of several thou
sands to retain the prohibitory amend
ment in the constitution. The only thing
to fear is inactivity on the part OF the
rank and file of citizens who are favor
able to a retention of the law matched
against the strenuous efforts OF those
who are striving to bring about license
system.
For Worldwide Prohibition.
Mayor Mullen of Bangor predicts ma
jority of 1000 in favor Of taking prohi-
bition out of the constitution Willis Y.
Patch of Bangor. member or GOV
Plaisteds executive council. sets the fig
ures at 1000 to 1900. Attorney General
Pattangall of Waterville estimates the
wet majority at about $500.
The Lewiston Journal. leading pro-
hibition organ, predicts the no-license
plurality at $50 to 2,OoO.
The lumber men and the paper and
pulp manufacturers, and even the Aroos-
took potato farmers, are said to be in
favor of excise. They complain of the
rum expresses that demoraliZe their
workmen, who can't buy liquor openly,
but have to have 1t sent In by train.
labeled so as to deceive the railroads and
the law officers
The w. c. Z. U. last night in mass
meeting issued a proclamation in favor of
a world wide fight for prohibition in the
organic law Of every nation.