The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1911-11-02
THIRD PARTY MUST
WIN
Is Only Way to Secure
Real Prohibition
). +. Emerson Pleads Tor ohiteo
Action by Temperance Forces Mt the
Polls.

sorbing question of what we
are to do with the saloon.
We have all been more or less
interested and manifested that In
terest throughout the campaign and
at tie polls. Many seem to think tnat
tie question is now settled; that mas
much as we have decided as a state
to KEEP prohibition in the constitution
the contest is over and there needs TO
be oily sharp lookout that the la"
is enforced and that Is all
From my individual standpoint l
can see that we have had only a Sign;
skirmish and nothing more. we are
precisely in the same fix that we nave
been since prohibition has been both
statutory and organic law OF the stare
The only benefit the campaign mas
been is to open the eyes of Que Well
meaning citizens to the true situation
in regard to the saloon and II W. fall
to profit by it we shall reap but very
poor results.
| have listened atentively whenever
the opportunity has occurred to the
speeches given in behalf OF the NO
vote and as a general thing, thev have
not been satisfactory. All CT the
speeches made have been hemmed IN
by the state line, have been narrowed
down to a sort of local option AFFAIR.
Nothing more and no one can make
anything more out of 1t. Not a wor
has come to me in denunciation OF the
attitude the national government
takes in permitting the drink evil to
override a prohibition state and send
its liquors directly to the homes OF
any and all who may wish to purchase
them. We will suppose that sheriff
and other officers in authority are
doing all possible to enforce the laws
of the state, every intelligent person
knows that these officers are handi-
capped at the start. They cannot do
effective work under present condi-
tions. We all know that the liquor
curse stretches it's battle line from
every home in our land to the capital
at Washington, and We also know
that strictly speaking there Is not
rod of prohibition territory under the
flag. Every home is menaced, every
individual more or less comes in con-
tact with the blighting effects of in
toxicating liquors.
We hear the song, Make the map
all white" and in our simplicity seem
to imagine that it Is rapidly taking
place, but what are the stern facts.
No part of the map is white and never
will be till the temperance people
of the nation rise in the majesty of
their strength and uniting as one,
carry this great question up to the
national government for settlement.
Turn off the supply, shut up these
great distilleries and breweries that
are at work night and day looding
the entire country with their products
that we do not need and shout not
have | am anxious to say it, and
say it boldly, that the only chance
for us to get rid of the witherilg
effects of the saloon in Maine and also
in every state and make the map all
white" is for the voters of ta3 entire
country to come out from these pOni-
cal parties that in all the past have
been playing into the hands of the
| liquor traffic, fostered it, sustained it,
stood by it. Does the reader doubt
this statement? Why these 100000
saloons in this country today? Why
these thousands of distilleries and
breweries? Why this gradual in
crease of the liquor traffic from year
to year if the above is not the truth?
am tired of this constant cry
against the saloon and then every
four years, as regularly as the Presi-
Dental election comes round, walk up
to the polls and vote for continuation
of the very conditions that are so
earnestly denounced.
Just now petitions are pouring into
Washington protesting against mem
Der of the Presidents cabinet taking
| a RI and nrnGi1ipu of thn prnat brow
ers' congress that is soon to open up
in Chicago. And so many of these
very petitioners only three years ago
giving their time influence and ballots
in favor of the administration, the at
titude of which they now seek to con-
denim. 1t seems to me | would from
of two things. Either | would from
this time forward cast my ballot
against the national liquor traffic or
keep still and not denounce my own
work. | can see no consistency in
any other way.
| We are constantly reminded in
many ways the necessity of uniting
our combined strength in resolutions
and speeches and petitions and news
paper articles and moving against the
saloon in the line. Those who are
so earnest in that direction seem to
forget the fact that the saloon
element of this country cares but lit
tie about your petitions and your reso-
iutlons and your loud public talk
against it when 1t knows to an abso-
! lutte certainty that at every Presi-
dental and congressional election,
1t has your political support
and that an administration will
come into power that will not
only protect the great liquor interests
but go further than that and permit it
to ride over your prohibition territory,
invade your homes and leave unrest
and sorrow in its wake. Doubt these
hard, home thrusts, do you? Listen.
AT short intervals there comes to
my nome, and to yours also, envelopes
Win a government stamp upon them,
containing circulars advertising all
KINDS or liquors and all that one needs
10 40 Is to remit the price to the
wholesale dealers in Boston or New
York, or other cities and the goods
are promptly shipped directly to the
homes of those who order them. Who
is responsible for these conditions?
The government is responsible. What
constitutes the government? The poll
teal party in power for the time
being.
Who put that political party in
power? Your ballots. You know this.
1t is as logical as any truth ever ut