Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-01-27
Ex-Gov. Baxter
Tells Australians of
u. S. Dry Conditions

LA NV 1$S<AVS4
Tells Australians of
u. S. Dry Conditions
The Sydney, Australia, Morning Her.
aid of Friday, Dec. Is, which has just
arrived in this city contains an inter-
view with former Governor Percival P.
Baxter In which Mr.. Baxter speaks of
the enforcement of the prohibitory law
and says that the public sentiment of
the United States is behind it, He also
says that the wealthy and idle class
| make bootlegging possible, but he says
that the citizens who really count are
behind the law.
He stated that the women Of Ameri-
ca are the backbone of prohibition and
they will never allow any change, and
the men are not far behind them. And
he alsossaid II want the people Of Aus
tralia to be careful about believing
the lurid tales put out by the liquor
interests. These are false. America
is law-abiding country"
An abstract from the Sydney Morn
ing Herald is as follows:
II can see that Australia has won
derful future. It Is the youngest of
the continents, but is destined to be
| one of the most prosperous and hap
piest. It is splendid place in which
to live. 1 am glad I came for a visit
and wish l could remain for several
months"
These interesting remarks we're
made yesterday by Mr.. Percival p.
Baxter, who was until few months
q Of ba Ctof "a 90
U. S. A.. and is one of Americas most
| prominent citizens. Mr.. Baxter has
been member of both branches of the
Legislature of Maine for more than 20
years, and in 1921 was elected gov
ernor, being one Of the youngest men
| who had ever held the post. He MAIN
| tanned his position at each succeeding
| election until this year, when he de-
cided to take a long rest from active
politics.
Mr.. Baxter arrived in Sydney on
Tuesday and has been SO impressed
with what he has already seen that he
intends to revisit Australia, to look
into things properly and investigate
conditions not only in the cities but
out back.
1.-THE State of Maine" said Mr..
Baxter. yesterday sis one of the
most noteworthy States of the Union.
It's climate is cold in winter. the
snowfall averaging 115 inches. but it
is mild summer. 1t was settled
early in 1900 by English colonists,
and still preserved the traditions of
the mother Country. All my ances-
tors were English. The people of
Maine are a seafaring and agricul-
tural people, with extensive timber
nd ND
mills.
Moreover" continued Mr.. Baxter,
Maine has the distinction of being
the first American prohibition state
in fact the dry law is supported by
public sentiment overwhelmingly"
Mr.. Baxter has made deep study
of the liquor question. and in his po-
sition as Governor has had unique
opportunities of observing its gen
eral effect. His conclusions have led
| him to become a firm prohibitionist
THE United States" he declared
will never go back to liquor; the
country will never take a backward
step in that direction. Our people are
healthier. they work harder, have
better homes, better food and clothes
| and more money in the savings banks
than ever before, and all that due to
prohibition. 1t will be proven in the
near future that no wet" nation will
be able to compete with dry" one
Other nations will follow our lead in
this direction.
There is a determined effort on
the part of American and foreign
liquor interests that have combined
to discredit prohibition and prove 1t
a failure.
False reports are sent to foreign
lands for the purpose AS a matter
kof fact the law is being enforced in
almost all sections of the country,
and public sentiment is behind it. 1t
is true that there is lawlessness in
the large cities where the wealthy
and idle class are the chief oenders.
bootlegging possible and profitable
The citizens who really count for
something are behind the law. The
women of America are the backbone
of prohibition and they will never
allow any change, and the men are
not far behind them. / want the peo-
lie of Australia to be careful about
believing the lurid stories put out by
the liquor interests. These are false.
America is law abiding country"
Mr.. Baxter is an ardent supporter
of the aims 6f the English speaking
Union. The movement, he said, has
powerful support in the United
States. "The ties that bind America
to Great Britain and the British do
minion," said Mr.. Baxter, ARE very
strong. and are growing stronger.
The English-s speaking peoples are
the great bulwark for the peace of
the world. United they exert a pow
erful influence for goo6. Americans
realize that, and are solidly behind
the English speaking Union.
America, Australia and Canada"
he added, ARE close neighbors, and
they must become even closer in
thought and action. I am pleased
that our Fleet was so well received