Maine law

Mayor Neal S. Dow was known as the Napoleon of Temperance

The Maine law, passed in 1851 in Maine, was one of the first statutory implementations of the developing temperance movement in the United States.

History

Temperance activist Neal Dow helped craft this law. The passage of the law, which prohibited the sale of all alcoholic beverages except for "medicinal, mechanical or manufacturing purposes," quickly spread elsewhere, and by 1855 twelve states had joined Maine in total prohibition. These were "dry" states; states without prohibition laws were "wet."^[1]

The act was unpopular with many working class people and immigrants. Opposition to the law turned violent in Portland, Maine on June 2, 1855 during an incident known as the Maine law riot. The riot was a contributing factor to the law being repealed in 1856.^[1]

The Maine Law gained recognition internationally and was the inspiration for United Kingdom Alliance in Manchester, England. That organization grew and during the late 19th Century a street in Manchester, England was renamed "Maine Road" in honour of the law. Originally known as "Dog Kennel Lane", the street was renamed due to the influence of the Temperance Movement.^[2] Between 1923-2003 Maine Road housed the stadium of the soccer/football club Manchester City F.C..^[3]

See also

• Oren B. Cheney
• Neal Dow
• John Hubbard
• Prohibition in the United States

References

• Rolde, Neal (1990). Maine: A Narrative History. Gardiner, ME: Harpswell Press. p. 178. ISBN 0-88448-069-0. 

1. ^ ^{a b} Henry Stephen Clubb, The Maine Liquor Law: Its Origin, History, and Results, Including a Life of Hon. Neal Dow (Published by Pub. for the Maine Law Statistical Society, by Fowler and Wells, 1856) [1] (accessed on Google Book Search on Jan. 21, 2009)
2. ^ James, Gary (2009). The Big Book Of City. Halifax: James Ward. ISBN 978-0-9558127-2-9. , pp 225-228
3. ^ James, Gary (2003). Farewell To Maine Road: The Official History of Manchester City's Grounds. Leicester: Polar Publishing. ISBN 1-899-53819-4. 

External links

• Maine Alcohol History