Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-08-09
Liberty Ends Where License Begins

The letter of Rev. F. A. Leitch. pub
lished in the Lewiston Sun of August
8, should be reprinted alongside the
statements of DR.. Lyman Abbott or of
Cardinal Gibbons. DIR. Leitch declares
that liberty ends when license begins,
and he relates the tragic tale of New
Hampshire town, where he was pastor
of church. He paints graphically a
side of life which the saloon en-
courages and which should be read by
every young man in the State of
Maine. who has not seen the evils of a
license system.
On the same page with the letter of
the Rev. Letch, the editor of the Sun
attempts to discount the effects of the
communication of the Auburn pastor.
The Suns editor says:
The story that Mr.. Leitch tells cannot
help in the effort to make better laws
If under the excitement of such a narra-
tive legislative body were to try to
write a new statute severe enough to
prevent another such horrible case of
running amuck. II is probable that the
new statute would fail of its purpose
and would at the same time lead to def
ance and contempt of law.
IL is probable that the volume of crime
can be reduced by more efficient police
and courts, by which the multitude are
better secured in steady work and in the
possession and enjoyment of their earn
1ngs. But when IL comes to liquor legis
lation, we believe such crime as Mr.
Leitch relates is not less likely to occur
because of a Statewide prohibitory Law
than because of the unrestricted sale o.
liquor, Indeed, il the responsibility were
put upon us to act for the best interest OF
a community in which there were a large
number of drinkers. we would let then
drink and would do what could be done
by improving the police service to main
tain order and abate nuisance
The Suns onry argument is readily
seen to be the favorite claim that po-
lice system and other methods of con-
troll are much more easily invoked un-
der rum thrust approved plan than
under the law which majority of the
people of Maine have placed in the
constitution He would carry to his
readers The inference that temporizing
with an evil makes it vastly more sus-
ceptihle to control. He would have his
readers believe that If they will repeal
the present law. and establish one
which the paid tools of the liquor traf-
fic are advocating. that conditions
would be mucn better in the State Of
Maine. He would have them believe
In spite Of the evidence of their senses
that the liquor interests are working
TO change the law for the sake of tn,
moral uplift to result. He would
have them believe that there would b,
less traffic in liquors. less drunkenness!
and crime. more income to cities,
saving of taxes to individuals and
above all, doing away with what h'
and other Democratic organs tern
''the hypocrisy Of the people"
In another place. the Sun has three
brief paragraphs. as follows: 'Trus
your Legislature Elect a Legisla
ture that you can Trust and Put OIL
10 the Legislature the responsibility TO
changing the laws as you want then
changed
The Sun does not suggest to it
readers that when the people hav
elected a Legislature which they cal
trust" they have done the same thin,
that they believe they are doing whei
they elect officials 70 enforce the pro
!. hihitory law, WHICH the Sum says 4
not enforced, and the people thus be
come hypocrites Neither does the Sun
ten Is readers that when the consti