The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-08-10
DESPERATE FIGHT
ON IN MAINE
VOTE ON LIQUOR AMENDMEN
WILL BE TAKEN ON SEP
TEMPER II.

ANGU STA, ME-. August s.-Sixty-
five years ago the Democratic legisla-
ture Of the state Of Maine enacted
the first prohibition law against the
li4uor traitia. thus setting an example
Of Statewide prohibition watch was
not initiated by other Cofnmonwealths
uuth many years later In another
month--on September II, OF this year
at a general election. the voters Of
Mafns Will be called upon TO decide
whether Statewide prohibition which
has been statutory from 1854 tos 1884
and constitutional ever since, shall re-
main part Of the states constitution
or not.
Since Maine enacted the first pro-
hibitian law prohibition has made ire
inendeus strides. The movement Is no
longer State or even national
movement, but has assumed SIN inter-
national character. In many coun-
tries throughout the world the war
against the liquor traffic has been
taken up, and the prohibition move
ment has met with varying degrees
Of success. For this reason the bat
tie whic Is now being fought In this
state IS attracting worldwide atten-
ton. Maine was the pioneer of the
prohibition movement and maintained
Statewide prohibition continuously
longer than any other COMMONWEALTH
Ia the world 1t Is quite natural,
therefore, that the coming election is
awaited with the most intense inter-
Get throughout the world.
Much Depends on Outcome.
1t ~ generally admitted by friends
OF prohibition in and outside the
state that great deal depends upon
the outcome OF The coming election In
fact, 1t is believed that the result
Of the vote Will be OF the most vitat
influence upon the future Of the pro-
hibitton movement, II the majority
Of the voters in Maine should decide
BY their vote that constitutional pro-
inhibition, after test OF twenty seven
years vas found by them infeasible or
undesirable, this decision would mean
severe blow to the hopes of the
friends OF prohibition, Who for years
haN@ bear. Werkin1r igtspire1 by the
hope that some day all nations would
unite In suppressirg the liquor traffic
The campaign now in progress In
this State, which VIII continue for
another month. untll the last vote
snail have peen cast a the coming
election, began practically ifnme(f-
atelv after the election IN September
of last year, when 1t became certain
mat Democratic legislature mad
been elected, believed to be pledged
to vote for resubmissi0n OF the pro
hibition clause OF the constitution.
Fight 10 Desperate.
People outside Of this State cannon
imagine how bitter and desperate Is
the tight between the prohibition ana
the anti prohibition factions. The
campaign was begun by the prontp,-
uonlsts with rush and steadily
increased in yigor ana bitterness, and
there Is every reason to believe that
the remaining month win witness n
campaign in this State Unparalleled
In tiercencss IN the history of polit-
iCal fights.
80 far the prohihtiouIsts have n-en
the aggreSsors. AS early a. October
10 Of last year the Matn, SUNDAY
school Association adopted by unap-
lmous vote Il resolution declaring
That any person who votes. or in
any way influences others 10 vote
directly or indirectly to SO amend
the constitution as TO admit or
License Of the liquor traffic. high or
low. local or State wide, Is equally
guilty Of giving his neighbor drink
and putting the bottle to him as the
rum seller, and The woe of the pronh-
ct of God is upon him" EVERYWHERE
The cry is Rum against "Reminiscences