Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-02-21
DAVIS ADDRESSES
The CIVIC LEAGUE
ON PROHIBITION

AHe -Oth annual meeting or the
Snrlstlan Civic League was held at
library hall yesterday. DR.. D. b.
Aial! VI AUBURN, president Of the Or
sah1zatlon presiding over tie meet
ing. Dr. e. +. Whittimore, T.. M.
roster and w. p. Holman was made
d coInmlttee on nominations and w.
~. smith, +. w. Brooks and DR.. I. Is.
Moore committee OH resolutions.
oupt. owens gave his annual report
ana IN the absence of Treasurer
Dassett gave the treasurers report.
arthur j. Davis Of Boston was
present at the meeting and gave a
very me talk on prohibition and the
nelp that the civic league was giving
.ie 'l-Saloon league which he rep
resented. MI. Owens said in part:
=, 1noSe or us who were present at
the birth of the Christian Civic Lea
sue 70 years ago and recall the rea-
son for such an organization were
not merely passing speculation,
but an active participant emphazing
the remarkable expansion in so brief
period. The main idea at the time
of the organizing of the Christian
Civic League was to better the con-
dition of the citizens throughout the
United States. Our country &c years
ago was Swallowed by an evil spirit.
the spirit of alcohol which worked
its ways into pleasant homes and
took from them the pleasantness
leaving in its wake only shell of
what had once perhaps been para
disc. The Christian Civic League
saw how this menace could Ne over
come in an organization numbering
thousands in strength were organ
lied and went to work in real ear
nest at the very depths of the cor
ruptnesS and sin and gradually
worked upward. The Hissing of the
18th amendment was perhaps the
first ray of light that extended
through the darkness of that pit of
crime and corruption. but without
the work of the Civic League it is
doubtful If today our constitution
would have that glorious and virtu-
Gus amendment. An amendment
that changed the sadness of thou
sands of homes to sladness. the
amendment that brought to underfed
and unnourished children tables
heaped with wholesome and invigor-
ating articles of food. 1t took from
these childrens backs tattered rags
and replaced clean and warm cloth
ing. But the Civic League has not
completed it's task. There are yet
many things for this great institution
to perform. The passing of the 18th
amendment gave us the law and the
next step is to see that it is proper
~ enforced.
This perhaps Is the hardest Job
of all, but | think that every month
every week and every day. we are
getting closer and closer to the point
of enforcement. 1t is said, bu. | call
it wet propaganda that liquor IS as
easy to obtain today as it ever was,
and think the statement is about
ninety per cent incorrect. The gov
eminent has in it's employ SHedt
army of federal men who arc DC
voting unseltishly their whole time
in enforcement, then too. we have
our sheriffS, whose ability and am
billions are not alike in different
counties. A county enforcement
crew is only as strong as its W=3kcst
link and n grating deputy may al
low a whole county to become food
ed with intoxicating liquor. NUM-
cipal enforcement men are much the
same as the county officers. and
though in some places they are try
ing 10 suppress liit iii'oi u s@'i'N ~
other places they seem - tara away
from it.
The American born. continued Mr..
Owen is the new department "f tic
native anti-saloon league. created to
cooperate with other organized
forces for the enforcement purposes.
The American born proposes chat htr
schools and young peoples societies
in order to inspire love Of country
and respect for laws be taught the
American creed. Il believe in the
United States of America. Il govern
.nent of the people. by the people,
for the people, whose powers are de-
prived from the consent Of the SOW
crnment, a democracy in n republic.
n perfect union, one and inseporable
established upon these principals OF
freedom. equality. justice ana hu-
mainly for which the American pa
triots sacrificed their lives md for
tune. l hope, said Mr.. Owen. Chat
the year of 1928 will be n banner
year. for our organization ana tnat
we all will be inspired by the love
of humanity, and to do right in order
that we may put in our est efforts
for the purpose in which we &c or
sanized. | wish to say in corc!usitn
that at the present time there are
several bills before the Legislature,
concerning enforcement, and that the
Christian Civic League will give
these bills their proper attent..1.
Mrs Dr,1mmnnd Talks