Daily Kennebec journal., 1914-03-11
BOTH HORNS or PROGRESSIVE
DILEMMA ON PROHIBITION.
Mr.. Cummings Repeats Dingey Singer Rant and John
Kliam Speaks for Progressive Rank aid File---He
Demands Common Hoaesty of His PART.
Mr.. Cummings, Abuse, And

Editor Kennebec Journal:
If you think the kind of criticism
that you applied to my letter which
appeared in your issue OF the Sd inst,
will profit you or your cause l have
no complaint to make.
Regarding your query as to whether
or not should claim that the Repub-
licans stole the idea" Of prohibition, l
will say that had not observed it.
If they ever stole it they have kept
the fact very quiet during the past
2S years; as they certainly have not
used 1t.
For more than a quarter of a CEN
| tury 7 have seen the Republican party
parade as the party OF temperance and
morality. rendering to temperance a
lip service only, and to run the hom-
| age Of servant.
have seen the law Of the State used
| as d political asset to get the vote OF
temperance men with promises, and
open and intended notification of law
as reward for the aid or the rum ele-
ment in POLITICAL campaigns, until 1t
seems a mockery for this same party
to expect to continue to fool the peo-
pie with the same old game, and in the
same old way.
The cry of the Republican party be-
fore election has been: stand by the
law!" Down with rum!' and then
after election they have closed both
eyes and proceeded to put it down.
If people have, after election. asked
to have the law enforced. officials have
looked very much bored and said: Let
George do it,
Upon the question of the enforce
ment of the prohibitory law the Re-
publican party is simply an ancient
and confirmed hypocrite.
They successfully worked both the
temperance people and the rum ele-
ment, prayed to the Lord and patted
the devil on the back: generally blind
to the reinforcement of the law.
some of them renting buildings to be
used for rum shops and neither sheriff
nor county attorney put stop TO 1t;
others meeting the parson with a
smirk and then entering sonle uptown
club 70 take drink to PROHIBITION.
That, Mr.. Editor, is the record of the
Republican party on prohibition and
instead Of looking as though they
stole" the idea, il looks as though
they had it thrust upon them; and
that since that time they had stood
like a coward, between the devil and
the deep sea. not daring to repeal the
law. and not wanting to enforce II.
Now as YOU and many of your read
ers do not know me personally. let
me say that I have always stood for
the enforcement of that Jaw. The man
does not live who ever heard me con-
done its notification.
have always voted fer every can
didate for sheriff nominated by the
Republican party of Cumhe rland coun-
ty when I thought he would enforce the
law.
nave always refused to sote the
second time for man who had d'sre-
garded his duty and his oath ef office.
I I'm not Il "prohihitionist," hut
nm tntal abstainer. Some Prohi-
bitio1'r-q are total abstairers. some
are tip,Sers and some get drunk; ana
in aly opinion man who does not
show lis faith hy his works, is so
weak that he Is liable at any time to
be mistaken for a hypocrite.
] am not presunling TO soeak for any
ono but myself. Upon this question
the Progressive party win doubtless
6ehne It's position when IL has the
chance. In fact it must define 1t. Bait
as ore man. I stand scuarely for the
honest enforcement of the proaibltory
law as long ~ it remains among the
statutes Of the state: and when the
people Of Maine do not want the law
enforced, let them. like honest men,
repeal 1t.
I have always thought 1t bad for
man to drink rum; but it seams TO m.
TO Re worse 20 also make him hypo-
critic and liar.
Do not. for decency's sake. any
longer let Maine be by-werd for
hypocrisy among the nations ct the
earth.
If was to appeal to the citizens OF
Maine ON this matter I should say:
Pc men. stand for the enforcement OF
the law! Ard when you will not stand
for the enforcement of the law, still
be men. end stand for It's repeal.
An honest man is respected; hypo-
crite a-s liar Is desnsed.
Now, Nr Editor, il have not made
my position clear. come again.
Yours truly,
F. D. CUMMINGS.
Portland. Me.