Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-07-17

The elemen. that backs and en-
courages, eggs on and supports such
conditions ds seen in Bangor at It's
booze worst, as seen in Lewiston
wave of crime under the Curtis re-
gime. as seea at Old Orchard On
Sunday, is shouting its approval OF
the law defying, out Of State money
erabbers at Old Orchard. The Port
land Argus paean must warm the
heart Of the Jewgreed entrenched IN
the shops and booths and dugouts
with their rss-guns trained on the
Governor.
But wh.re is the law-abiding,
better things supporting press count
ed upon by the people to counteract
such as the Argus?
Here is the screed of self govern
mept 49, to hell with the people
class. The Argus takes its stand:
The revolt against Governor Mill
ken's order to close up all places on
sunday in Old Orchard revives the cor
mant old blue laws agitation "n, ,
enforcement always arouses. ne
whose bushes. the Governors action
interferes with. call him too Puritani-
cal and provincial in his views OF
Sa king. They point OUT tnat
times have greatly cnanged since ,.s~
munities that were agreed in the belief
that the day of rest should be religious
ly observed.
Sunday Of today in this City (for ex-
ample) is far different from what II was
at the comparatively short period OF
half q century ago. The populatlon IS
not SO homogeneous now as then, there
being people from all countries, and OF
diverse religious beliefs. Some observe
Saturday as the Sabbath, and these
are allowed to keep open shops-a sight
that would have filled native citizens
of former days with horror. In some
sections Of the town children play
games as on a holiday, whereas the
Sunday Of 80 years ago was passed IN
universal quiet and abstention from all
forms of pleasure.
Under the blue laws, which have
never been expunged. Portland would
be very different place Sundays from
what it is if Mayor Clarke. enforced
them. But for years no Mayor has
attempted TO do so. nor has there been
any popular demand to have it done.
The spirit Of Justice TO our foreign eie-
ment has allowed relaxation in en-
forcement and common consent has
caused Sunday opening to be overlooked
to some extent.
/ The Old Orchard Question is whether
to treat that resort as a cosmopolitan
! place or a New England country town.
/ and Governor Miliken decides for the
latter view In this he is actuated by
his personal religious convictions, and
doubtless his inward conscience con-
trolls his course. He doubtless has law
and power enough to make the seashore
resort as quiet as it was in Puritancal
DAYS if such be his purpose and deter
mination. regardless of whether or not
1 he is sustained by public opinion
It is not to be expected that Old Or
! chard will be deprived of its Sunday
attra ctions by the imposition of fires
which amount to what NAV be regarded
as nominal license fees. 1t is therefore
obviously up to the Governor to take
the drastic measures he is reported to
have expressed an intention to adopt.
The situation has reached its crucial
stage. and future DEVELOPMENTS will be
awaited with considerable public in-
terest.
1t IS awaited with public interest
and indeed ttimes HAVE greatly
changed. Ard it is agreed that the
few breeding sores Of past cussed
ness shall oe cut until they reason
ably compare with the general
change. ..
The Governors course finds prece
dent nearly 2co0 years old, and in
spite of those who pledge their faith
in the money changers the processes
Of progress go on.
The spirit of justice" that "has
allowed relaxation in enforcement
under weak souled or grating lovers
Of the foreign clement may turn to
the Hun for consolation.
II Old Orchard has no other "at-
fractions" than those brought in the
bundles. bags and jugs of the foreign
, element of New York and other
Sodom kultured sections, then let II
|, be abandoned as rejected work of the
Almighty.
, Thank God for the religious con-
victions' Of Governor Milliken if he
thus earns the open opposition of the
Portland Argus and its foreign" al
lies in purpose to gradually deprave
the State,
, The situation HAS reached a
} ''cruc:al stage" and the counter
blow of righteous indignation is te
, be struck, ,r we shall be sadly dis
: appointed. j
The Argus, from its associations
evidently believes that no longer dc
''pious communities exist" in New
England. Isn't it about time for the
, press and the people of this State tc
i disillusion such as the Argus and the
l foreign element" from Gotham and
: elsewhere which it puts above the
: Christian, law abiding people OF
Maineo