Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-07-24
The Democratic Nullifiers.

/ HeN nave peTSlSteilily nuHlneu the
18th amendment to the constitution. +"
J declared the platform adopted by the
Maine Democrats at their convention
at Augusta little over a year ago, in
its Indictment of the Republican
party.
The Democratic Governor and the
Democratic Legislature came in an
swer to the frenzied appeals of mis-
representation to the people, and now
we have had six months and more of
Democratic rule. and yet the principal
| indictment of the Democratic plat
form remains much more applicable
to the Democratic party than it ever
| was to the Republican party What
has ever happened in the State more
| brazen and more fragrant than the
violation of the prohibitory law under
Sheriff Moulton of Cumberland county
or Sheriff White of Penobseot county,
both Democrats? In fact, the pro-
hibitery law has been so fiagrantly
violated at times during the present
year. in several counties of the State,
including our own county of Kenne
bee, that even some of the most hide
bound Democratic sheets have been
compelled to register their protest.
This persistent notification of the
lprohibitory law has also brought forth
the condemnation of the Boston
paper that flooded Maine with a
special edition in the interests of the
Democratic party just before the last
State election. The campaign pledge
of Governor Plaisted, which has since
been after fashion repudiated by
him, TO make the State as dry as
covered bridge" has proved to be so
much mere buneombe.
The Decorate leaders are now APP
parently bent upon wide open policy,
not merely for the purpose of selling
off what liquor is left in the State
agencies, provided for by the some
what peculiar ruling of Attorney Gen
eral Pattangall, but as a permanent
policy. until the vote is taken upon
the Goth amendment" this being the
title which the Democratic legislators
insisted on using when they referred
to the 9Th amendment to the eonstitu--
ton of the State of Maine.
1t is not any use for the Portland
Argus and other Democratic papers TO
tell US now that the prohibitory Jaw
cannot be enforced. The Democratic
leaders said before their officials were
elected to office that il could be en-
forced, and that the reason why 1t
was not enforced laid solely with the
Republican officials. But the Repub-
| liean and Democratic sheriffs have in
times past enforced the law in colIn-
ties, where 1t has been claimed that
public sentiment was against enforce
ment, just as has been done in other
lNouHtiSS, WHtft tnere mas been no
doubt that public sentiment called for
reinforcement. The special enforce
ment deputies under Governor Cobb
enforced the law so we'll that both he
rum sellers and rum drinkers felt it,
land both howled themselves hoarse
for the recall of the deputies.
The law against the manufacture
land sale of Intoxicating liquors, can be
reinforced in the State of Maine. That
is no longer mooted question Of
ficials like Sheriff Cummings in An
droscoggin county. and Sheriff Lang
in Somerset county, proved, several
years ago, that enforcement was a
possibility, but in spite of this, the
Democratic. party. since 1t came into
power in January last, has persistent
ly nulified the 9Th amendment to the
constitution"