Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-06-23
Democratic Papers Please Copy.

mined ana SUSTAINED GTuSdue dSdiH9t
any degree of liquor traffic in the social
clubs of Maine? How would you like
IN see one man after another resign
from his club or clubs that permit
bars, lockers or any form of tipping or
treating in club rooms--in days of nom
enforcement of the liquor laws, or at
any other time?
We would suggest just such a fair
and logical request on the part tf
churches, oranges and temperance
people. of men who have not only the
interests of their clubs at heart, but
the welfare of the young men of many
communities, and the sanctity OF
thousands of homes.
1t is a perfectly reasonable request,
from any standpoint. First, because
encoura cement of any form of liquor
vending is in violation of Maine laws.
Second TO give such announcement to
outlawry through the medium of num-
hers savors of lynch law spirit; to give
il fauntingly because of the Social
official or political prominence of GER
tain members is cowardly and un-
American.
On the other hand if Maine ever
should become license State, regu-
lar saloons and not social or fraternal
club-rooms should dispense the COM
munitys intoxicants.
And again, if club has been organ
lied for the sole purpose of doing a
rum shope business and of thus cir
cumventing the law, it should be
promptly suppressed by the authori-
Ties.
To ask self-respecting men who have
Joined such clubs through misunder-
standing of their purpose, 10 with
draw from them until they are
cleansed of illicit customs, ought to be
taken in kindly spirit.
II is reasonable request on the
ground that all clubs and fraternal u.
CARNATIONS are more or less discolored
by the opprobrium attached to the
hooze clubs.
Let every clubs rules abolish such
customs as might prevent any young
man from trusting his character ana
reputation to il as a member
Until clubs do abolish such customs.
careful, thoughtful men of response
biiity in public and private affairs
should see that their names are erased
from the rolls.
II is not that such men drink more
than very moderately or even drink at
all. that they should refuse such close
association with the good fellows OF
the club: IL is because their very
names, oft repeated as members IN
good standing. lend false respectable
ity to the club and mislead the ad-
visers of many bright young men who
join and get their downward start
there.
We know strictly temperate man
who belong to booze" clubs which
they never enter. Admittedly they
Joined under pressure of jolly fellows
of their profession or social brigade
and not because of any need of the
associations of the club.
These very men are the ones that
make this long successful liquor IN
tersst scheme exultant. Their names
as defense, are always thrown in the
face of him who would invoke the law
in correcting the evil.
The liquor interests tools-press
and official and social advoctes-in-
variably point to the highly respecta-
bic names ON their rolls as vindicauon
of their lawless customs and prac-
tees.
And that is why we urge that kind
Iy. logical influences be brought 70
bear upon these men to withdraw from
such clubs as permit violation of the
spirit of the prohibitory law.
Church, grange and all interested IN
moral and civic progress, should have
no hesitancy about requestiong such 9
step on the part of club members
That such clubs are dry" at this time
is no excuse for delaying revision o.
bylaws and rules. Now is the timf
10 act, while the sentiment is genera
that il is not only possible but feast
bic and practicable to run homes
churches, clubs and cities without th'
nse of intoxicants of any sort.
The writer has recently talked witt
members OF one of the most powerful
..booze,. clubs in existence. who have
frankly said that they would be glat
~ q movement to eradicate the booz'
provisions Of that order: that the!
cannot enjoy it as il is; that the!
wonid be frequent visitors to thei
e,nh- rooms were ii not likely to arons'
thai~ SnbriptX amOn