Daily Kennebec journal., 1911-02-15

Mf.. STABLES. Ok Knox: Mr. Presi-
dent and Gentlemen of the Senate:@-I
am here today. not In behalf Of the
saloons, If there are any in the State;
4 am not here in behalf of the whole
sale liquor dealers that are pouring
their liguor into this state: I am not
here for any rum class: but ] am here
in behalf Of the people of Maine. l
stand here in behalf of 10000 voters
who expressed their belief. at the polls
last September and I think I repre-
sent upon this issue the best element
|of both political parties in the State
of Maine l do not regard this as
dead issue No issue where the people
demand right to vote upon ques-
ton can ever be a dead issue. And
i wish to say right here, that no great
question--and this is great moral
|question-is ever settled until it is set
tied right and the people of this State
have time and time again asked that
they have right to vote upon this
amendment
II stand here in behalf of the young
men Of the state of Maine; in behalf
OF good morals; in behalf of the Demo-
party, WtiU tTt W fliI11S tO uO any
thing that they can to elevate and re-
fine the people of the state of Maine
land to give us something with regard
to temperance which will not be a
farce and r hypocrisy. Why are you
lafraid. my Republican friends. to sub
NIT this to the people and TO the great
wave of temperance which is passing
over the country? Have you any doubt
THAT the people will reaffirm the con-
fstitutional amendment? Why are you
afraid to submit it to them? I am
willing to trust the people upon this
question, and you ought to be. They
demand the right. and I say that the
last election in this State showed it
tconclusively. l admit that that was
one of the great issues. the question
lof resubmission, upon which this State
voted last fall. Why not submit it to
/ the people of the state and let them
vote on it? If they reafIirm their be-
lief in the prohibitory law, then we
will all be satisfied and it will take it
out of politics.
This matter will continue to come
here before the Legislature just 50
long as you keep the prohibitory law
upon the statute books and keep it in
politics. l understand the position Of
my friends upon the other side. that
they are afraid of the liberal element
Of the State of Maine, if they do not
submit it, and they are afraid to stand
here to plead in behalf of the young
men of the State. in which the pro-
hibitory liquor law is making drunk
ards every day of the year. You cam
not prohibit 1t, because public senti-
ment is against it-I believe the people
rought to have a right to decide that
question. think you ought not to
stand here, and say to the people, like
the Pha risee of old as he wrapped his
cloak around him: Il thank God I
am not like other men That is the
effect of the fanatics of this State
"Or, you must not discuss it; Oh. no it
Is sacred: Mrs. Stevens says you must
not discuss. IT." and you follow on
after these fanatics. But l tell you
that the people demand it. The vote
of last fall in the state Of Maine shows
how the people demand the resubrnis-
sion of this amendment. Why have
not they right To vote upon it? They
haven't voted upon it for "A years.
why should they not have an oppor
tunity nov"
Let's look at the matter just as il is.
We find friday that there is more liquor
imported into the State of Maine THAN
there ever was before. The express
companies are loaded with it. And
what have you done BY the prohibitory
liquor law: You have driven the
young men and boys of your cross
Yt,16S nd fn cpn1 fn
Boston and other places to get gallons
of liquor and carry it home by the
wholesale and drink it: and therefore.
we have in our country towns-and l
live. in the country-far more de-
bauchery from that cause than we had
when it was sold openly. And it is
growing upon you. 1t is our duty to
the young men of the State to do
omething.
The people will take care of the
rum question in the best possible way.
but just as long as YOU keep it in poll
ties, you cannot enforce the law. You
have tried IL for 80 Years. Iou have
Spasms of enforceWent just before cleo
tienS. / notice-not just before elcc-
tons. but Just after election. Just be-
fore election there is not any enforce
ment' in this State. Everybory knows
1t. And the majority of the politicians
OF this State in the Republican party
dare not to undertake to enforce the
law. You are. playing with it upon
the one hand one way. and upon the
other hand another way. and just as
long as you do that just SO long the
Young men will be driven to ruin and
you have got to be responsible for ii
somewhere.
the temperance clement If they do sub
init to II. pity them and sympathize
with them for the very peculiar situe-
tion in which l. fiud the Republican par!
of the State of Maine.
If was talking politically should sag
don't submit IL; but l am talking in tha
Interests of temperance. l am frank To-
say, Mr. President and fellow senators.
that one of my reasons for wishing to
submit this to the people is that do not
believe i'll the prohibitory law. You have
tried II 30 years in the state of Maine
and 1t has not prohibited: and we have
given you all the laws that You have
asked for on the statute books to enforce
1t; and you know, as I know. that in the
State of Maine today there is sold more