Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-12-04
Prohibition or License, Which?

Editor Kennebec Journal:
The liquor traffic is an admitted evli
evil, how can a Christian common
wealth, based on Christian principles.
license persons to do wrong? All teach
ing, preaching and legislation Tor CEN
turtles past have seen no other way to
deal with evils but to prohibit them
stealing, forging, robbery, lighting, riot
ing, never have been licensed, but pro-
hibited Why not prohibit this evil with
the rest?
Some argue that we could make money
for the counties and the State treasures.
If money is the sole object, why not
license many other evils? Lots of men
would give big money for. license to
steal. Where may we look for justice
in license liquor law? 1t is setting up
a monied monopoly. The man who has
money buys a license which means pro-
hibition to every one but himself. He
opens his saloon and makes money by
public patronage. some poor fellow sees
this, thinks he would venture to make
few dollars on the sly. He nils pockets
and finds a chance to sell an old drunk
man persecutes this man. fines him or
deprives him of his liberty for doing on
a small scale what he is doing on
large scale. Where is the justice in this
Can state or town prosper that grants
opportunities for such injustice?
We have been repeatedly told that we
should have through the license system,
good liquors. Are we sure of this? y es.
the officers will inspect his goods What
they inspect may be one kind, and what
he sells quite a different kind. How can
the man sell pure liquorsY lie pays Sieo
for his license, at least $500 for q clerk,
$500 saloon rent, 500 to support his fam
ily. then is supposed to make money by
the business. With more than 5000 to
meet, how can he meet this selling pure
liquors, on which there is a small mar
gin? Under the restrictions we are told
/ that he can't sell on Sunday, can't sell
after 10 p NJ. can't sell to minors. nor
& tn drIiyoI = dc only n moderate drinkers
or men like myself who DON'T DRlN Il;
None of these promised restrictions VIII
be observed.
We are told that the officers will see
that he carries out the restrictions. VIII
the same officers in the same cities and
towns that fail to enforce the prohioi-
tory law enforce It on him. iIi.,o Wih they
We are told again that license VIII do
away with all kitchen bars, all joints.
low dives and all pocket. peddling If
one man or a few privileged men can do
this it proves prohibition not only pos
sible but easy.
How often do we hear it said and see
it in print: prohibition doesn't pro-
hibit'' Show me a single criminal law
that does. There is more than an aver
age of one murder in every issue OF the
weekly Journal. The fatal rope, the
grinding life of Imprisonment the cleo
trio chair, does not prohibit murder. We
should be surprised to know the amount
of money and property tnat is stolen
every "a hours IN the state OF maine, yer
no one proposes to repeal all criminal
laws because they don't absolutely pro-
hibit.
If prohibition is the best thing for log
ging camps, for railroad and steamboat
companies, manufacturing plants and all
departments of business, and no intelli-
gent person will deny but that it is why
isn't it ayvgoed thing for the State?
I leave these thoughts and arguments
for the consideration of the reader. III
my arguments are unseund and contrary
to reason. shall be glad to be corr
rected.
G.. H. BOWIE.
Hartland. Maine