Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-01-03

Constitution. For many years it has
been a subject of political contention.
In 1910 it was again submitted to the
people, and by a majority vote in 1911.
il was again reaffirmed and kept in
the Constitution. II the people rule,
as | believe they should, this question
is settled, and no public officer has
any authority but to execute the law
against liquor selling in faithful and
impartial manner; and j shall do all
in my power, during my term of Office,
to encourage the honest enforcement
of all of our statutes against the Il
quor traffic: and | ask all good citi
Gems who have the love of their fellow
men at heart to join with me in this
undertaking. | especially ask the
press of the State. without regard to
its political or party allegiance, to help
III creating ii public sentiment against
rum selling and rum drinking. 1t can
do more to help or more to hinder in
this cause than any other influence in
the State. No one can doubt the curse
of Intoxicating liquors to most who
use them. Science has proved their
certain destruction to health and life
Business no longer toerates them. The
man seeking employment with rum in
his breath. finds no work, but is rele-
gated to the realms Of trampdom. The
business man who INDUCES in their
use very soon finds that he has no
credit at the bank. The transportation
companies do not find it safe to en-
pIoy men who drink The farmer who
returns home from town drunk has
the contempt of his neighbors, and his
wife and children, theirfpfty and SYM
pathy The professional man who was
once called brilliant, with the remark
that cit is too bad he drinks is now
called a fool for throwing his life
away. No sane man, IN the light of
modern investigation and science. can
give any excuse for the use of intoxi-
eating liquors, or for the grog shops
from which it is dispensed. The man
whose business ii is to sell lquol. in
violation of law is, as a rule, too lazy
and shiftless to do anything else. He
is in that business for the money he
can make out Of 1t. and when once he
has engaged in it. he becomes SO de-
moraliZed that afterwards he is dis
qualified for any other vocation. The
money they take, especially from the
laboring man. to whom they do the
most harm, can not be spent for cloth
ing, food or other necessities or luXu-
ries of life. | regard the last election
as a special test upon the question of
the enforcement of the prohibitory law.
No statute should ever require such d
test, but the determined efforts of the
liquor Interests in the State and the
outside of it for the past few years
have made this question so acute in
our politics that the vote of the people,
giving expression to their sentiments
concerning it, is of the greatest value
to ell charged with the duty of enforc-
ling thislaw II seems to me now that,
after the long and heated discussion
we have had upon this subject, both
upon the stump and in the public
press. with the vote that has followed,
it may now be considered as well nigh
settled. No further discussion is nee
essary. All that remains is for the law
officers, especially sheriffs, city mar
shals, and county attorneys to do their
duty and enforce this law in accord
A