Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-07-01

tested against such conditions to the
sheriff of that county. He not only did
nothing to better the condition but even
refused to reply to notes from the clergy
OF the two largest cities in his county.
In the third county a like protest by
citizens has been made since my letter
to you. with no improvement In the con-
ditions so far as 1 know.
Because of these facts, there was moth
ing for me to do except to bring to you,
upon whom the constitution and statutes
place the responsibility of dealing with
this situation, the general information
| in my possession, and also to offer to
give you in an interview subject to your
| arrangement such further information
as you might wish. .,.-
A General Statement Of Lawless Con-
ditions in Androseossin, Knox and
Penobscot Counties.
ANDROSCOGGIN COUNTY.
Under Sheriff Stevens. the laws relating
to the sale of intoXicants were efficiently
enforced in this county. Wien Sheriff
Davis took Office, many asked. What
will he do with the liquor laws?" The
following statement of his purpose was
published in the lewiston Journal for
i January Is, 1915:
MY deputies are enforcing the law in
| every way that they can. 1t is no use
fS5 or me to fa that has
but it was not with any Understanding
with this office. In the past few days we
have been able to find out with whom we
must must contend. Uno. is being sold and
l wish there was. You and think that
where Uno is sold something else is sold
but we have got to catch thskat 1t to
Il do not believe that it dog my good
to make statements. When went into
office / was Immediately asked what my
policy was to be. Whatlcether policy
sworn to do his duty haveEIf l stated
that intended to enforce the law, that
means every law. That isnwhatsa sheriff
is sworn to do. There is only one other
policy and that is publication Of the law
any Il ' did mot NOT intel Ito make a.y. state
ment but such Fumors. haYH gotten
about that it seems almost NECESSARY.
1t became noised about that had been
called to Augusta in conference with
Governor Curtis. l haven't seen Curtis
since he was elected. l haven't been in
White in the Turner postoffice case.
"A certain man came in here and asked
me why Maliar had been in his place
so many times. l felt convinced that he
up his shop and pull the blinds or Id put
! an injunction on his building. He was a
Democrat but that didn't make any diff
ference top me. ! propose to enforce the
law in SO far as possibly can
Rumors RI AN open condition of liquor
sell in Lewiston reached our office in
March; and ION April Is, 1915, an agent Of
the League 5visited that city and found
wide open condition of liquor selling
eleven places were entered, bars We're
present at each place. and whiskey and
bottled ale were being sold and drunk
! There was no ale or beer on draught
Liquors were not displayed but were kept
under the bar.
On May II, 1915. two agents went to
Lewiston. They purchassda whiskey
without trouble in severalkpl&ces. and
| found much drunkenness In evidence
The liquor selling was without any mani
! fest fear on the part of the seller
| There were no watchers at the door or.
in front of the places. On June 9th the
same two agents again visited Lewiston.
Whiskey was easily purchased in six
4 places. In one place young woman
about ,. years of age was the bar keeper
I In several places a, considerable number
of patrons were present drinking.
| In one place the. proprietor sadl he
! could not keep liquors. in sight, but chat
after July l beer would he Oh draLght
I He thanked the agent for making a Rur-
! chase and asked him to come again
More than so places were observed ard
all We're doing an open business in lidupr
selling. The day was quite warm and lin
! some instances the bar could be seen
! from the street
| rnDnnAl LIQUOR rAx|ps.
! In this county 100 retail lq1or Mxes
are paid and two wholesale liquor Nkes.
In addition. a considerable numhk,r of
malt li1uor, taxes are paid. All at Is
of the retail liquor taxes have been paid
/ since Jan. l, 1915, and the whoNesa1e
liquor taxes were paid after Jan. /,
/ These taxes are paid as follows:
II. L. ID. w. L.
! Lewiston, 81
Lisbon II
Livermore Falls,
! North Livermore, :.