The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1911-10-12
ISSUE OF ENFORCEMENT
IS PARAMOUNT


Mems Club in Waterville, Hon
Howard Davies attended a banquet
there last week, and explained the
probable effect of the primary law
with which his name has been so
closely associated. This is of especial
interest because of its relation to the
future enforcement of the prohibitory
law.
Mr.. Davies said in part:
In our own country, in every state
west of the Mississippi river, constitu-
tional amendments were offered during
the last year urging the adoption of
the initiative and referendum and in
the Legislatures of thirty-six of the
forty eight states there have been Of
fered within the last two years, laws
aiming to accomplish the direct nom
nation of public officials.
This system of nominations Is one
of the most important factors in the
number of devices brought forth for
the purpose of increasing the power
of the people that they may express
their choice in the selecting of candi-
dates and their Judgment in the max
ing OF laws. Experience indicates to
us no reason why this additional pow
er should not be granted to them. In
deed without exception, political his
tory shows us that there is every rea-
son why they should have direct con-
troll of their own political affairs and
no case has thus far arisen where they
have not shown remarkable conserva-
tism and self-restraint in the propos
j ing and making of laws and in the
selection of candidates.
Men who make politics their bust
ness and those who consider politics
as a vulgar detail of society which
they do not care to be identified with.
and some others are fearful that the
foundations of representative govern
ment are going to be undermined or
some right may be enfringed or some
vested interest may be sacrificed in
giving control to the many and TAX
ing il away from the few. You have
read political history earelessly and
to no purpose if YOU feel that the di-
rect nomination of party candidates
by the voters is to have but a transi-
tory existence. Our aim has been to
secure institutions that are truly rep
ltSfilldlIAt. ut ttiI ~ IiHtOi vi
nominating institutions in this eoun-
try proves this to be true beyond
doubt. The legislative caucus and the
convention system were only means to
bring about the desired end.
The legislative caucus was so un-
responsive to the will of the people
that some different method of nomina-
ton became imperative and i'll my
judgment the convention system has
as notably failed to carry out the true
principles of representative govern
ment as the Legislative caucus. The
contest in nearly every convention Is
lctWeen two factions struggling for
the mastery and the rights and priv
leges of the people are frequently en-
tirely lost sight of during the contest
Az the time the convention system
was adopted ii WAS only an expert
mcnt, a more equitable system OF
nominations was developed and has
been adopted in many of the states
including our own.
The direct primary law we have
adopted will distribute and dissent
nate political influence, and will cur
tail, weaken and destroy the personal
control of our political parties which
has been perpetuated through faVors
and patronage.
"The prohibitory law injects into
our politics rather unusual conditions
and the discussion of the law, its
merits and demerits have entirely
overshadowed and eclipsed matters OF
vast importance to the development
of our State. The Importance of the
office OF sheriff in our several coun-
ties has been so magnified In influence
and has carried with II such unusual
powers that not infrequently in our
conventions the selection OF every
candidate to be named revolves about
the selection of the man for this or
fee. 1t Is true that the direct prlm-
arv system of nominations is sure TO
give us better men as sherifs. 1t
gives the people the opportunity to
choose them directly without the
manipulation of delegates or the eX-
changing of the influences of one can
didate for the support of another
The enforcement OF the prohibitory
law in Cumberland and Androscoggln
counties has been a failure. Men VINO
have solemnly swore to enforce IT
have appointed themselves to perform
the functions of a clearing house for
public sentiment on the question and
under the guise of interpreting the
common wishes of the community
/. have permitted knowingly and willing
ly the grossest infractions of the Law
in defiance and even in contempt OF
the organic command This is not a
, healthy political condition. The only
way to retain the prOhibitory amend
ment in our constitution is TO devise
some way to enforce it. The para
mount issue today in the State OF
Maine is the enforcement of the
! liquor laws and no amount of sophis-
, try, howsoever ingenious or eloquently
developed can in my mind obscure
the issue. Men must be found and
measures must be adopted that will
| work to this end
Prohibition and notification can finC
no common ground. A part at leas
of the burden Of enforcement must b'
placed upon the municipality. The
mayors of our cities and the selectmer