Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1852-02-14
THE MAINE LIQUOR LAW.

As this law, lately enacted in Maine and
now in force in that State, is.creating con-
siderable sensation throughout the different
States, we have thought proper TO furnish
our readers with an abstract of its provis-
ions from the general act, which is too long
for publication. 1t is most stringent law,
and under its operations, thousands of gal
ions of liquor have been seized and turned
into the gutter. In New York there is
now fierce contest going on for the enact
ment of this law, and similar bill is now
or soon will be, before the legislature Of
Pennsylvania.
The first section enacts that
"No persons shall be allowed, a, any time
10 manufacture or sell, by himself, his clerk
servant, or agent, directly or indirectly, any
spirituous or intoxicating liquors, or any
mixed liquors, part Of which is intoSica-
ting, except as hereafter provided"
Section . requires "the Select men of any
town and The mayor and Aldermen of any
city, to appoint suitable person as agent,
in said town or city, 10 sell for mechanical
or medical purposes, wines spirits, or other
intoxicating liqors &c."---and by the 3rd
section, such agent, is required 10 enter into
bond, in the sum of six hundred dollars.
with two good. and sufficient snreiies, for
the faithful performance of his duties as
such agent for town or city, after which he
receives his certificate of office from the
Select men or The Mayor and Aldermen as
the case may be.
The 4lh section prescribes the punishment
for selling spirtuous or intoxicating liquors,
which for the first Conviction is fine of
$40, for the second $50, and for the third
$40 and six months imprisonment.
The 5h section authorises The penalty 10
be recovered before any Justice, and makes
it the duty of officers or select men Of the
town TO enforce the law
The 9th and 7th, prescribes the mode Of
appeal and the proceedings against person
violating the conditions of their appoint
ments.
The sih section enacis that no person
shall be allowed to be manufacturer of any
spirituous or intoxicating liquor, or common
seller thereof, without being daily appointed
as aforesaid, on pain of forieiiing on The frs
conviction, the sum of one hundred dollar;
and the costs of prosecution, and in default
Of the payment thereof the persons so con
victed shall be imprisoned sixty days in the
common Jail /; and on the second conviction
the person so convicted shall pay the sum o
Two hundred dollars and cosls of prosecution
and in default OF payment shall be imprison
ed four months in the common Jail aud oI
the third and every subsequent conviction
shall pay the sum of two hundred dollars
and shall be imprisoned four months in th'
common Jail Of The county where the ofenc
was committed.
The 9th section enacts that no "lawles
rumselersn shall be competent TO set on an,
jury, but he may decline 10 answer, in whlc
case he will be discharged by the Court
The 10Th section enacts that all such case
shall stand first ON trial.
The 11h section is an important one an
reads as follows:
/ lfany three persons, voters in the town
: city where the complaint shall be mad
shall before any justice Of the peace O
} Judge of any municipal or police cour
make complaint under oath or affirmation