The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1911-09-01
WAY DOWN in MAINE.

WAY DOWN IN MAINE.
This writer is native of the old state
of Maine and is naturally much interest
ed in the contest now going on there be-
tween the liquor interests and the pro.
hibition people and which will be dec,d-
ed at the polls on the l1th of September.
Prohibition has been law in that
state for more than seventy-five years.
There have been votes on the subject at
various times but the last time, we think
about fifteen years ago, it was put in
constitution by large majority. The
fight at the present time is to get 1t out
of the constitution. The statute law
which is in force to carry out the provi.
sions of the constitution is not and new.
er has been so drastic as that of North
Dakota as it leaves it with the Judge at
his option to impose imprisonment as
we'll as a fine for infractions. The
Maine law says ''tine or imprisonment
while our law says ''fine and imprison.
ment." The result Of that law is that
imprisonment for illegal selling in Maine
is rare the penalty being usually fine
Out here we know what that difference
means. Saloon people are perfectly
willing to pay fines, in lieu of license,
but 1.-THE jail is no place for gentle.
man."
There has however, been a remarkable
change IN the old state during the last
fifty years. The population has been
changing, it's business has been chang
ing, SO that motives are very different
than they were in olden times. Ship.
building, fishing, and farming were the
business of the people then, while the
northern part of the state was not devel-
oped being pine country in which lum-
bering was the principal industry.
Snip building, and fishing are now but
history, and the lumber ls about all
gone. The coast has become series OF
summer resident hotels, cottages and
other resorts for the people of the big
cities little farther south. The lake
region IN the northern part of the state
is also the summer home Of thousands
of fishermen and hunters, who come to
escape the heat @of the city and enjoy
the recreations afforded.
The state has also increased largely in
its factories Of all sorts of cotton and
woolen goods, and manufactures Of the
same, owing to its many fine water pow
ers.
In those former years, summer tour
lists made but small item IN the years
business, while the factory hands were
to large extent of the native born.
To-day, summer boarders are one Of
Names most valuable assets, while the
"a :tories are full Of Greek and Italians
and other foreigners.
It's this change that is doing the
most to make opposition to the old pro-
hibition laws Of Name. The summer
borders who come from places where
there are no prob bition laws want their
wines, beer and str> niger liquors and the
landlords and boarding house keepers
want to sell it to them, while in the fact
ory towns and cities the foreign element
there all want free liquor. Prohibition
y ,uld prevent some Of these eumme Z
guests from coming to Maine and other
branches of business would suffer that
cater to the wants IN other directions
In the rural districts there is no real
change Of sentiment. They are opposed
to any change in the laws except to
make them stronger.
There is only one argument used in
ia the present campaign there against
prohibition, o. indeed 1t il the only Or
goment loft Tor the liquor people, to-wil;
that the proLil,itlon law cannot be on.
forced therefore il is better to license IL
and control II is that way.
s We hays said tins much, that North
FDAkota people snay understand that Il
Maine goes aaainst prob hitlon Oh Sop.
IS nber llth shstit = M ths s.old Stats
III Maias that ha1 dons Il bnt : ..nsw
|assls & Maine J. B