Daily Kennebec journal., 1916-03-01

same judicial consideration as the vio-
lator of any other statute law. II
they did, it is safe to say that our
tions would be the abiding places Of
many of our reigning celebrities.
In 1909 Senator Hastings Of Oxford
county introduced a bill which pro-
vided for straight Jail sentence for
persons convicted of violating the
prohibitory law. This measure, which
meant a Jail sentence for the first Of
fence and something more severe for
the second violation, passed both
branches of the Legislature, but for
some reason, the law did not receive
the signature Of the Governor. The
influences brought to bear against the
passage of that bill have been far
reaching for, without casting any re-
Elections upon the sincerity or honesty
Of any legislator but. as a matter OF
fact, since 1909 no senator or repre-
sentative has been interested enough
to introduce a law embodying the
principles of the Hastings bill. In my
opinion the law in question provided
the most effective means of enforcing
the provisions of the prohibitory law
that has ever been introduced since
the enactment Of the measure, some 80
years ago.
If l were member of the Legisla-
ture l would consider it my duty to
introduce at the first opportunity 4
bill framed along the lines of the pro-
posed Hastings law and no booze COM
ino to inf nOfific1l
influence would deter me from agitat-
ing and working incessantly for its en-
actment | firmly believe that the
next governor of Maine will be man
who would be glad Of the opportunity
to sign such bill. | am we'll aware
that declaration of this nature made
publicly is not what would be called
good, discreet, vote-gettlng, campaign
literature, but it is an honest express
sion of my feelings and that is all that
ask to be given credit for l am not
in favor of license in any form. for
with all the faults that are charged
against the prohibitory law, open sa-
looms, restricted sales, local option,
better quality of liquor or any other
substitute, does not in my opinion Of
Ter any Improvement. A>C' wv 1AAN''N
cling to what we have and pray that
the great wave of prohibition that is
rapidly and effectively spreading over
the nation and that is making such
rapid strides in other countries may
soon mean for Maine, more respect 10;
law and the complete determination OF
the liquor business in every form.
7 have always advocated giving the
right OF suffrage to women, not only as
a matter of right and justice, nut my
observations and experience gained by
coming in contact with actual condl-
tions have convinced me that the up
lifting tendencies that would be IN
augurated through the industrial
emancipation of our women bread win
ners. and the total abolishment of child
labor will never be fully realized unth
women are accorded the same rights
privileges and opportunities as men.
Give the women of Maine the right
to vote ana I believe that it Will not
take another half century for them TO
devise a means Of suppresslns the rum
business. God grant that the day ls
not far distant when this means Oh
protecting their homes and those dear
to them will be placed in thelr nanus.
This announcement although httie
precipitate and off schedule Tor the
reasons that / have given. should pc
sufficient to satisfy any man who may
be asked to sign my petitions what my
attitude would be upon these vital
questions and he ma$ rest assured that
the directing influences that are usual
l.. in attendance upon the Legislature
vou,d not have me wholly under their
control when considering other ques-
tionS.
THOS. ]. LYONS.