Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-01-06
Stand with the Governor


con is the one invariably put up by
some perverse or misguided mind ev-
cry time the suggestion is made that
che Maine prohibitory law be made
dangerous to the persons, of violators
and so expensive to the traffic as to be
entirely effective.
AS an instance, let us refer 20 Gov
ernor Millikens recommendation for
repeal of the hypocritical joker that
took the punch out of the penalty. The
Governor points to the intent of the
Jail sentence law, the manifest purpose
OF the people to 80 ~ the penalty. as
to end the business. The Governor, in
connection with his recommendation
criticized only the situation; he did not
attempt to explain the inspiration or
the method of securing subsequent
enactment that provided the means OF
turning out herds and droves of violat-
ors every year on payment of fine. The
people know and they are pretty we'll
disgusted with the hypocrisy and pol
itical jugglery that renders the wish
of the people nugatory.
And the people also are tired of this
hoary chatter that always starts-"Oh,
we must not remove the option of the
courts in furnishing violators of the
prohihitory law because some one
whom we should not wish to send to
jail might take a notion to hold
courts and people in contempt and vi
olate the law. Somebody who is sick
might sell rum; or a someone who is
too lazy to work but who has polite
al pull with the thugs and pluguglies,
might go into the booze business.
The echoes of Governor Milliken's
words had hardly died away before
certain newspaper writer's mad the
thought before the people; I'VE must
not make Jail sentences mandatory; it
has been attempted and vetoed" And
then the doctrine is adroitly placed
that there is a strong division of hon
est opinion as to the 'expediency' of
making. the desire of the people work.
: able and beyond the connivance of
those opposed to the law, and beyond
the power of legal twistings and turn
ings to save outlaws from the penalty
of their crimes.
Some politicians have awakened to
the change in sentiment on the part of
the people, and understand that public
tolerance of connivance and crooked
methods of clinging a little longer to
evil practices, is about ended. The
people have had enough, about all they
will stand, of it. That is why they
nominated Gin spite of polticians) and
elected a Governor who intenGs to see
the law enforced. The Governor prom
ised the people to do his best They
took him at his word. He has taken
the oath and renewed his pledge We
have faith in his unflinching integrity.
He asks means of making the peoples
laws effective. We urge the Legisla-
ture to give him all he asks We be-
lieVe 1t will do so. If Names law is
as useless as it's enemies claim, if the
people are tired of it as it's enemies
shout from the housetops, then let us
give them good reason for repeating it,
We believe Governor Milliken is will
ing to stand or fall by what he believes
Is right. By his life and his prepara-
ton for public service we are con-
<lo%
ment of Names citizenship at its word.
and proposes to follow the inevitably
hard road of daring to do. We believe
he Is ready to take hold of either end
OF the poker, or both ends. if necessary
to enforce the laws that the people of
Maine have written and approved. IF
any official becomes "notoriouslv ,ax
anu lnemcient and wilfully violator
OF his oath Of Office, fails to listen IN
kindly suggestion to mend his WAYS
we believe the Governor will have tho
courage of his convictions even to ~
Noklng the aid Of a special session of
Inc iaw-making body. To obviate such
a possibility in other years this Ieg,s-
tature should give the Governor tho
means he asks-so that other sover,ors
VINO may come after him may not es-
cape duty by exclaiming, II am holm
less; the law has no teeth; the nenaI-
ties are a farce"
The people Of this State, those r,ho
believe in prohibitory law ard those
who oppose it. want a two years tr;a,
OF real prohibition of the LIQUOR traf.
fic. even If it means an uprising against
the law that will cause its repeal Tb.
theory Of prohibition has been Iova,,v
supported by majority of the peonla
Of Maine; now they wish to know if
the genuine article is not even strong-
er than the theory.
We say with the Governor. to the
people, the Legislature, and the courts
! let us make defiance of the people,s
voice so dangerous to the physical lib
erty Of violators and so expensive to al,
sharers in the business as to end this
k~.o< az 81