Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-06-13

| whom rests the responsibility for en-
| forcement of the liquor law.-Adam +.
| Leighton, President Chapman Nation
| al Bank, Portland.
| Statewide prohibition of the saloon
| does not work satisfactorily in some
| spots in our state; but, before a
| change is made, we ought to convince
| ourselves that some other system
| would work better. To change merely
| because the present system is unsatis-
| factory would be greater folly than no
| change at ALL To change to a worse
| system would be utter foolishness.
/ From all can learn. | believe we have
| the best system in existence for hand
| ling the saloon.-W G.. Mallett Prin-
cipal State Normal School, Farming
| ton. June &, 1911.
While | am not in favor of putting the
prohibition of liquor saloons into the
| constitution, and at one time was in
| favor Of taking it out, / realize that in
| the present vote we are forced to treat
this, not as an academic question but as
a direct proposal to re-assemble the
present legislature in special session and
| repeal the Maine law. AS l am not in
favor of this course, I feel compelled to
Portland, June 2, 1911.
In my opinion, Names financial pros
perity, as evidenced by the fact that a
larger proportion of her people own their
own homes than In any other state in the
Union with the exception of Kansas as
well her national reputation as a
state in which to raise mem is primari-
ly due to the benefit of Statewide pro-
hibition of the liquor traffic, notwith-
standing the fact that the law has not
always been honestly enforced in some
of the cities-W. A Danforth, Treasurer
Bangor & Aroostook Railroad, Bangor,
June 8, 1911.
Maine is rated as a wealthy State, not
so much because the people have many
advantages in agricultural lines and OPP
portunities for other business, but be-
cause the earnings of our men are not
spent in the saloons. 1t does not require
very much thinking on the part of
business man, to see that the working
man who is not spending his money in
the saloons has more to spend for his
wifes and ehildren's shoes and for other
necessities and comforts.-J. r. Libby,
Department Store. Portland.
There is not the slightest doubt that to
open saloons eountenanced by law
would largely increase the sales of intox-
icants over the record of the worst period
of enforcement ever known under
Names prohibitory law. Liquors would
be publicly displayed and young men,
who would now consider it a disgrace to
be seen entering one of the present out
lawed and diseredited resorts, would soon
become accustomed to meeting friends
in the respectable" places which would
be provided under the license lawfully
Kennebec Journal, Augusta, May q. 1911,
subversive of much that law is devised
to promote and productive of much that
law is designed to prevent, the liquor
traffic is inherently lawless. BY reason
Of its desire to be. it is naturally. logi-
cally. consistently and persistently an
tagonistic to good government. The gov
eminent that permits it is strengthening
a constant and relentless enemy for war
against itself. A continuance of such a
policy must ultimately result in a gov
eminent controlled by the traffic and for
its kindred evils with all that that i'm
pIies.-Fred y Dow President Casco
National Bank Portland, June g. 1911.
I am certainly very strongly in favor
OF retaining the principle of Statewide
prohibition of the saloon in Maine The
prohibitory law as We now have it. even
If not strictly enforced. is infinitely bet
ter for our people than the saloon and
local option is a delusion and snare.
our young men are less liable to be
tempted to drink with the sale of liquors
Illegal and driven into dives and kitchens.
than they are with legaliZed, attractive
saloons. standing wide open on the best
corners of our principle streets. l wan;
To do all in my power to prevent the pro-
posed change in our State constitution
l.. NJ. Webb, Esq, Lawyer. Portland,
May 49, 1911
We are just beginning to learn that
our criminal laws with their accompani
ment of jails and penitentiaries, while
they serve TO punish criminals and lock
them up temporarily where they cannot
prey upon the community. do not accom-
plish much toward the prevention of
crime, that if we wish to reduce the
number of criminals. we must study the
conditions which produce criminals and
try to find a remedy for the disease at its
source. While we cannot dispense with
criminal laws and jails as yet and
probably shall not be able to do so Tor
many years to come the real hope for
the future lies outside of legislation, IN
dilgent study, and in personal effort TO
prevent the development of new crimi-
nals.-Edward Woodman, Esq, Lawyer.
Portland May 80 1911.
l am earnestly in favor of retaining
the prohibition of the sale of intoxicat-
ing liquors in Maine. The rum shop de-
teriorates the value. for reputable pur-
poses of adjoining real estate; it dis
courages the location of new industries
in a town; it increases the expense of
police. police courts, jais and poor
houses; it is the hot bed of corruption in
municipal and state politics.; it prevents
savings to educate children. to make
homes comfortable and provide for sick
ness and old age; it destroys prematurey
the strength and capacity of the grown
man, and il leads into drunkenness and
immortality of every kind, the young men
and girls, who. but for its evil influence,
would grow up to be credit to the COM