Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-09-30
WATERvILlE.
TEXT OF THE RESIGNATION
Of Rev. Horny N. Prin1le as Secretary
CT Christian Civic League.


Following is the text of the resignG-
tiop Oh Key. Henry n. Pringle as sec
| rotary Of the Christian Civic League
| OF Maine, as received by NJ s Hol-
way Of Augusta. president of the
! League:
NJ. $. f1olway. Esq.
Pres. Christian civic League.
augusta, &e.
| Dear Nj HalNav:
I herewith present my resignation, as
| secrctsry Of the Christian civic
| League of Maine, to become assistant
! superintendent OF the International
| Reform Bureau at Washington. d. c.,
| to take effect, Dec. I. CT at such time
as the directors may appoint.
This Is a regretful decision for me
after more than II years service in
| the League work Cfor which / have
| rais5d about $4,000. addressed about
| 1860 public meetings, written over 100
| new apaser articles and prosecuted %
| to 2e0 lawbreakers per YEAR,, as by re-
maya1 enc forfcits the advantage Of
| acquaintance with persons. places.
| laws and methods. Therefore, | three
| times declined similar calls and tie
! ferrcd the acceptance Of this one about
q year.
After you called me 10 this work in
| 1901. | conducted it alone for a time.
| At first we had no office or physical
| equipment; the Record circulation WAS
| 1869. Now four men give their entire
| tine4to thee work: We have three Of
! ifcss;1tno equipment is worth $3.50; the
/ Raaurd circulation. is over 6009 and Our
Leasao is known ii. and1a respected
Throughout Maine. Last Yeaffs attack
| on the pronibitory liquor amendment
| was defeated ard. this year, the par
| ty, which refused to accept the verdict
| of the people or To enforce existing
| lawc was retired III favor of their
| opponents. who are specifically pledged
| 10 prohibition and its enforcement.
! Leaders know that 1t will be suicidal
for them 20 disregard these ebliga-
| tons.
en- withdrawing from the Work OF
| the Christian Civic League. under
| such favorable circumstances for the
| cause which | served, it may not be
| improper for me to offer a few sugses-
tions regarding the policy of the
| League and its work in the future
| The League originated for a broad,
| rather than 4 narrow p4rposc-@ good
| citizenship" II ought. / think, To-
| champion all neglected social reforms.
| giving prnportionate attention%tn each.
| This viii secure economy, efficiency
| and proportion. and aeoid Wasteful
MULTIPLICATION of social machinery
There ought to be place on the
Leagues program for every man. who
is interested in any phase Of social
welfare work.
More definite local work is needed IN
Maine Serious. social problems await
solution in almost every community.
The issues are divorce, but the VII
laees are too small or too far from
Boston and New York, to obtain me
counsel of famous experts in soeiat
pathology such aid as they ever nave
will come chiefly from Maine men,
nneseesing practical knowledge OF
sociology ard able to render FIRST ana
To the injured" whether the communi-
fv is suffering from the presence 81
vice. graft and incompeteney, or tfoni
| rho absence OF conditions demanded by
twentieth century social standards'
IN view of extreme lawlessness, pro-
| terted bv officials in certain cities TO
| which Boston.s mayor recently re-
| farredA. II seems to me that the League
has an opportunity and responslpllity
cor leadership in enforcement work VI
| course, this duty rests primarily oii
the executive officials, who are pfoViu-
| ed with salaries, possess speciai nm
itv ard experience, are authorized ny
law to act and voluntarily nave taken
oath Ia do the work; but. as matter
of fact, government is not autona.ic
and most officials need the encourage
~ AMI surveillance of the people
vbom they serve. The reforms IN Sall
ISsID5tncis6o and Pittsburs were finane
| ed ard conducted by citizens. ousi't
! nob ol,r League to lead in exposing
md bringing to Justice certain graft
ing and Jaw -defying officials IN Maliie
| Educational work deserves. mort
| MACE IN civic reform. The literature
| ought To go to every homo IN ehe
| town. instead of to those VINO cllahee
to- attend the meeting me addresses
must reach others than churcH-Soeis .
| who aIe already in accordance
most of the speakers utterdilcSS'
/ Churches can aid greatly by hecoiiiiiis
! centcrs Of social influence anu W.
| oc+ivitv as many already are. Temper
arce work ought always To iiiF119e
Iiof for the victims of the liquor tral-
&C. TIE Gospel should not elbow it
self ia be outrun by the law. Nahd
a,.,,,,,arts for restraining the saloon
Inv force and the individual appetise
bv persuasion are so many ana CO.
GENT. as to be finally irresistible
In conclusion. | wish to thank the
directors for their continued support
and kind appreciation. / regret leaving
my associates in the work-Drs. Berry
and owen and Mr.. Emery. These gen
tlemen are as interested as am m
good Citizenship, and l hope that al
| who co-operated with the League
while / was in that work will contin
ne To assist my associates to compete
what mas been begun.
Respectfully,
III. n. PRTNGLE.
1,r4o,,.;ila Mo Sent &c 1912.