AN EMANCIPATED STATE.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1275, 2 November 1911, Page 6

AN EMANCIPATED STATE.

FACTS FROM MAINE. A VOTE FOR REPEAL. (From London "Daily Mail's" Own Correspondent.) New York, September 12. "S/jTAINE has gone in favour of the liquor J-TJL interests by the narrow majority ol 900 out. oi a total vote of nearly 120,0G0, When in 1684 tho question of placing prohibition in the Constitution was put to the people prohibition tarried the State by 4li,two. Yesterday ali tho larger cities snowed heavy majorities in favour of the liquor forces, 'lhe lollowing are instances :— Portland, for repeal, 6,673; against, 1,271. iiangor, for, 3,CM; against, 919. Lowiston, for 3,191; against, 937. Biddei'ord, lor,. 1,812;. against, 425. Augusta, for, l,0bl; against, 835. Smaller towns and villages generally supported prohibition. The result of yesterday's vote does not mean that Maine will immediately have license.; It will hist be necessary to submit lhe whole matter to the . Legislature, which does not convene .in regular session until 1913. It seems probable that Uovernor l'laisted will call an extra session il the legislators agree, and will place the whole ailair beiore them. They can then wipe the measure off the Ktatute-book-> and enact legislation calling tor either local option or high license. With a strong Democratic majority which favours a repeal lmendment, it seems almost certain that this course will bo followed. T'ne campaign, besides being bitter, has been picturesque. Nearly every advocate of prohibition .having a national reputation was in the State. Mrs. L. M. N. Stevens, national president of the W.C.T.U., with a well-organised, body of women, was there to direct tho light I against repeal. When the polls opened the church bells rang, and instead ot the whistles of the factories in tho towns calling men to work tho bells of the churches called them to tho polls to vote against repeal. Having done this, they were urged to attend church end join the majority of women and .children in the congregation in a day of prayer for the saving of the State. Women in motors, bearing signs, "Vote 110, and a vote no is a vote for the children," addressed the crowds on the streets.

[It was a strenuous tight. On the one hand those who iavoureu a clean licensing system, and on the other the sly grogseller the illicit trade, and the Prohibitionists were lighting in the ranks of the latter, as they thought, in the cause of righteousness. But the great body of moderate people in Maine have mado clean licensing there now possible, and by striking out tho bottom lines cn election day in New Zealand you will retain the present system, and prevent a reign of prohibition and iniquitous trading.] *