Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-10-04

and others who are known to be I'M
friendly to the enforcement of pro-
hibitton laws. We recommend that be-
fore the regular drawing of jurors that
those to whom this duty falls shall
be courteously reminded of the great
responsibility thereby resting upon
them"
Finally. after recommending w. C.
7. y. literature to the members and
referring to the fact that 1924 will be
the Unions Jubilee Year. she closed
with recommendation for the adop-
ton of the law enforcement plan
adopted by the national convention at
Columbus and the national presidents
recommendations for 1924.
Governor Bakers Address
Governor Baxter spoke as follows:
This State is honored by the pres
ence of the National President of the
Women's Christian Temperance
Union. and 1t affords me a great deal
of pleasure to welcome Miss Gordon
to Maine. A copy Of Miss Gordon s
address to the National Convention.
THE Marching Mothers Of the
Crusade" was forwarded to me from
Columbus, and I read every word of
1t with deep interest The gathering
that you have just held in Ohio must
have inspired you all, for certainly
you have reason to be proud Of the
accomplishments of the past SO
years.
Pioneer Work
Your organization Is one that has
carried on" earnestly and with en-
tire consistence for half a century
1t Is difficult to picture or remember
the conditions that existed in this
;y,
tries, so years ago. What personal
and moral courage was required Of
that little band of prayerful women
who in 1873 started out on their
crusade to overcome the liquor
traffic. The story of these women
who began their work right in the
worst spots of some Of our great
cities, is remarkable. They never
allowed themselves to be discour-
aged, and perhaps the best way 70
summarize their accomplishments is
to imagine what present day condi-
lions would be had it not been for
the w. c. T. L.
The pioneer work in temperance
has been done, and it now remains
for all of US to help carry it forward
to completion. This may require
several years more, for our people
must be educated to sense of their
individual responsibilities. and must
be made to understand that the laws
Of this country are to be impartiallY
enforced. In both these respects the
next five, or ten years at the mos,
will witness a great change, not only
in America but also the world over.
Clean Living and Clear Thinking
The cause which you stand for is
one that all good citizens should en-
| dorse: the cause of cleal, living and
| clear thinking. Without these funda-
progress. We are passing through
, critical times. The forces of evil
are marshaled against us and it may
be too hopeful for us to say they are
! fighting in their last ditch, but | be-
| lieve they are very close to that eX-
! tremity If the thoughtful. self
respecting, law-abiding people of this
! country will stand together. the sue
cessfu, outcome of this clause is as
sured
Two Courses for Governor
! There are two courses open to A
| Governor in regard to his attitude
on public matters. He either can
| follow the line of least resistance and
allow things to shape themselves, or
| he can. when he feels it necessary,
! go against the current ana DO his
! best to correct such evils as come to
his attention. He may remain silent
and refrain from telling the citizens
| of his State what is going on. and
what he thinks about public matters,
or he may speak out openly anu
| fearlessly and take the public into
| his confidence. AS far as | am con-
cerned. although it is not always a
comfortable one, I have chosen the
| latter course. notwithstanding the
! fact that some of those who would
! be my advisers are constantly tell
| ing me not to "stir things up" and 70
leave things alone" Since I have
been Governor T have not hcsitated
to speak plainly, for I believe it is
| the Chief Executives duty to do
everything in his power to inform
, and interest citizens in Governmental
| affairs.
Hancock County
Recently | made an address at
| Bar Harbor and spoke about enforce
ment in Hancock county The con-
| ditions in that section of the State
| for a long period have been motor
! ious, and have disturbed me. Late
last winter, at least six months ago.
! called the sheriff to my office in
| Augusta and had conference with
him. He admitted he had not taken
! any special personal interest in en-
| forcoment. I expressed my deep
| concern over this question, and the
sheriff assured me he Immediately
would take hold of the liquor ques-
ton, and that / would have no fur
| Their cause for complaint. We shook
hands as pledge of good faith be-
tween man to man and he returned
home That was six months ago
and as far as he was concerned. con-
ditions have not improved. Until
the Federal authorities intervencu
tho situation was unchanged. for
the sheriff did nothing and the no.
| torious bootlegger Hurlihy and his
associates felt perfectly safe to ridi-
Guile the Governor and his attempts
to have the law enforced. 1nvesti-
| cations have been made by our At
| torney- Generals Department upon
order from me and the matter is
| now being given due consideration.
have acted deliberately and not
hastily in this matter, and have been
| unusually patient.
Maine Shei ifs
| The shcriffs of this state as a rule
| are upright law abiding men. They
face a difficult situation and I have
| few criticisms to make of them. In
| fact my relations with most OF theSe
officers are cordial and based on
mutual confidence. Throughout my
| administration whenever occasion
has offered I have spoken enconraE-
| inSly to them and of them. and on
! the whole | do not believe that any
| State in the Union has moro depend
/ able and upright officers than Maine.
| Most of our counties are in excel
| lent condition in so far as enforce
! ment is concerned. There are one
or two which are not satisfactory
and which could be improved; there
are others where conditions always