Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-12-05
Presidents Address

Following are extracts from the
annual address given by'M Mrs. Althet
a. Quimby, president of the Maine
W G. T. u:
In the sacred stiffness Of q world
at peace, in the midst of the most
eventful period the world has even
known. with a song of Thanksgiving
in our hearts that passes all under
standing, we thank God for the bless
irgs and the victories of the past
year We prayerfully remember
those who with matchless patriotism
have given their dear ones-some to
receive the crown of immortality
that the blessing of peace might come
to the world.
1t thrills W to recount the achieved
victories for temperance and right
eousness. BY no means tfesleast Of
the victories was the reelection of
our noble, Christian governor and
many other staunch, high officials. 1t
was victory for righteousness of UNI
usual significance and marks an
epoch in the history of our State.
Maine will continue to sustain and
uphold her beneficent laws and re-
joice in their impartial enforcement.
When called upon to lend aid in the
world conflict. Maine, responded with
n patriotic loyalty that might we'll
be expected to characterize a State
that has so long been leader in the
nation.
The major victory from a national
outlook was the passage by the Uni
ted States Congress of the Federal
Prohibition amendment. We rejoice
! that four more states have entered
the prohibition ranks, making 80 pro-
hibition states. and the very favor
able vote in other states assures US
that during the year 1919 the re-
quired SO states will have ratified the
! federal amendment and that by 1920
we shall have prohibition plenty when
Columbia drives the drink away"
| Nov IL President Wilson signed the
Emergency Agricultural Appropria-
ton bill with it's legislative rider pro-
viding for National prohibition from
next July l, until the American army
! is demobilized. Under the amend
| ment the manufacture of wine will
cease next May l. On December
the manufacture Of beer in the Uni
ted States was prohibited, as war
measure. by order Of the President
The manufacture Of whiskey was
stopped soon after the nation entered
the war. We hail with delight the ac-
ton taken by the federal railroad ad-
ministra ton, which has ordered that
the sale of liquor and intoxicants of
every character in dining cars. res
taurants anG railroad stations, I'M
der federal control, shall be discon-
tinued and all brewery advertise
ments removed from the refrigerator
cars.
When America became involved in
the present world crisis, the first
moral issue to be met by the govern
ment, was the safeguarding Of our
soldiers. The w. c. T. u had years
before forewarned the government of
this need and our appeals finally
brought fruition, when the anti-can-
teen law. credited time and again by
it's enemies to chose women of the
w. c. T. IT," was passed. In our
present time of stress the govern
ment at once recognized it's intrinsic
value by further strengthening it and
naval stations, military camps. arsen-
ais, munition and ship-building plants
and prohibited the sale of all alco-
holic beverages to men in the uniform
of the United States army and navy !
Later the War and Navy Depart
ments extended anti-vice zones |
around military camps, stations, post
environments and all districts under |
naval jurisdiction to ten miles. The |,
Navy Department has issued bone !
dry orders to all naval forces and
the whole United States is now bone
dry for our noble army.
A message of appreciation from
this convention should go to the
fearless sheriff of Cumberland county !
who recently, under this ten mile !,
anti-vice law measure. brought before !
the federal courts some of the base
desecra tors of the manhood of our |
soldiery stationed at the camps and !
forts in and around Portland. 1t is |