Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1851-11-20
Z he Maine LIQUOR Law.

'f'iiNl h'h i'f'A ~ Hblltf NAtit tltIt IS an
abundant demand for both.-N !. TIn,cs.
The Maine Liquor Law.
We give an abstract of the principal pro-
visions ofthls law. as follows.
SEC. |. Prohibits any unauthorized per.
sou from selling sprituous aud Intoxicating
liquors Of any kind.
See ,. Authorizes the supervisors of
each town 10 appoint an agent TO reside ia
the most central aud convenient portion Of
The town with authority to sell liquors for
medical purposes and the arts who is to
hold llis office one year unless removed.
Sec. ,. Provides for a certificate to be
given to the agent, expressive Of his author
ny, and give, the form, &c Of his bonds.
Sec J. Provides that any person selling
by himself, bis clerk or agent, shall be fined
Tor ;he FIRST offence, $40 aud costs; for the
second, $50 aud costs and in each case
stand committed tl paid aud for every
subsequent offence, so and costs, and be
imprisoned three 10 six months
Sec >. Provides the mode of prosecution
and dcsgnaies that the penalties shall 90
for ihe support Of the poor.
Sec 6. Provides that bonds shall be given
IN cases of appeal, for the prosecution Of
the appeal, and the payment Of all fines aud
costs
Sec. = Provides for the appointment Of
persons who may manufacture intoxicating
liquors 10 be used for medicinal purposes
and ia the arts.
Sec. s. Provides for penalty OF 500
and az default thereof Imprisonment Tor
sixty days ior the first offence aud for
double the penalty for every subsequent Of
fence, ia cases where persons undertake to
manui ciure without such legal appomt-
mcut
See o Provides that no person engaged
iu the unlawful traffic shall be competent to
SIT on aIury
Sec. 10 Provides that cases arising uu-
der the act shall take precedence IN all
courts OF insuce except ia certain criminal
cases named
See. H. Provides lhat any three persons
being voters, on making oath that IN their
belief liquors are unlAwiuIly stored or kept
ipr sale pa ANY given place, the Justice be-
fore whom such oath Is made shall issue his
warrant for the siczure of the same, and I
found, 1t is atcr proper lnqpry, to be de-
>iro}cd. Il The owner sets Up "a claim that
said liquors aia ,mputed aud that duties
huyc beeu paid ou .hem tO the government,
ae may recover 81 he can prove that they
ue $50 Imported; bnt nenher the certificate
ot Importation nor lhe Custom house marks
on The casks are to DE taken Ia evidence.
Sec. ~. Provides some safeguards against
DESTROYING liquors seized, until properly adj
terti>ed, la case where the owner may not
be known.
Sec 3D. Makes provision for appeals in
certain cases.
Sec. II. Provides that il any liquors are
found at public trainings or other gather
iug>, the person owning or selling the same
shal be Imprisoned Tor 30 days and the IL
qaor destroyed.
Sec. 10. Makes provision for sureiies in
case OF appeals.
Soc. l6 Makes all payments for liquors;
ail notes gwen lo5 hquorsi all mortgages,
&c. given tu secure hqlor debts, &c. &c.
unlawful, aud null aud VOID.
After 400 experience, under this law, Of
th'ea months, The Mayor OF Portland has
sent forth a statement from which we quote
the following passages
The results OF The law SO far, have been
more salaiary and decisive than lis most ar
dent friends had any reason TO anticipate.
Although extremely stringent in its proyis-
ions, and summary IA AS processes, 1t was
received by the great uajprity of the peo-
ole q lhis ciiy and of The state, with appro-
batioa-and by all, with quiet acquiesence
AM ia this city It's vigorous execution has
been attended w,th as much quiet as has
been experienced ia the execution of any
other law upon the statute books. The law
holds out no inducements to resist It's pro-
visions, but makes il decidedly for the IN
iore-, Of all TO yield prompt If not cheer
ful obedience to IT'S requirements aud The
result Of II will be, that the traffic IN lntox-
ica'ing liquors TO be used as drink, will
be entirely suppressed in this State.