Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1859-10-29
THE STATE LIQUOR AGENCY.

The House, yesterday, was again the thea
ter of lively and animated discussion on the
question of modifying the present liquor law
of the Commonwealth. The question pend
ing was on Mr.. Spoford's motion to strike out
the eleven sections of the law which pertain to
the State Agency. We copy from the report
of the Boston Traveller -
Mr.. Brown of Lowell said he was one of the
trio in the House who voted for the bill which
passed in 1866. The complaints against the
Commissioner for selling bad liquor had been
SO numerous that he had been led to believe
that the office had proved a failure and he
thought it should be abolished
Mr.. johnson of Abingdon said he had always
been suspicious of the State Agency since the
developments of last winter, and the attempt
to hush up those developments. The liquor
agency was gigantic rum shop, and the
whole affair was a swindle. 1t was mon
strouS inconsistency rum shop to suppress
the evil of intemperance! What would be
thought of establishing large house of pros
ttution in the city of Boston, and then dstrib-
uting prostitutes all over the city He was
opposed to the agency because it was MAIN
tanned by improper outside inhuences-be-
cause it was not the function Of the govern
:
because it was inconsistent with the Christian
character of Massachusetts. He thought a
stringent license law would be preferable to the
present law. He closed by asking temperance
men in the House why the investigation into
the frauds of the liquor agency were strangled
last winter
Mr.. Stearns OF Chicopee, said that the State
Agency had done more to spread desolation
and death among the community than all the
liquor shops, but he should vote to sustain it.
because he wanted its harmonious monstrosities
continued on the statute book from the Alpha
to the Omega. He was opposed to the whole
law, and ridiculed the Legislature of 1855
which passed it. He would let the law stand,
and he would join in the cry vive Ia humbug
The hour having arrived to take the ques-
ton on the amendments of substitute of Mr.
Merrill, were rejected without a count The
question then required on striking out the first
eleven sections on motion of Mr.. Spofford
The yeas and nays were taken, and the motion
was lost by vote Of AZ to 154.
Mr.. Russell of Boston, moved an order to
the effect that a special committee of five be
appointed TO enquire whether the firm of John
FELTON, Co., have aduterated liquors which
have been furnished to the State Agent, and if
so by whose request.
Mr. Spoford spoke in favor of the order and
said the office of State Liquor Agency was
prostituted to the basest purposes, and that the
Agent used the office to fill his pockets with
money to the injury of the health of the peo
pie OF the Commonwealth. The speaker held
in his hand the day book or memorandum
book Of FELTON, & Co upon which were re-
cords made of pure brandy with no name.
Upon turning to the index the name of John
Brochouse, page 366, and turning to said page
he found an account of pure brandy 900 gal
lons) with 205 gallons of added spirits, with
no name upon the memorandum or day book.
Mr.. FELTON, was ready to swear, as Mr.. S. had
been informed, that the transaction was on ac-
count Of George z. Burnham, the State Liquor
Agent. Mr.. S. further said that there were
other accounts on the book of a similar char
acter, thus showing, as Mr.. S. supposed, that
the alcohol was adulterated with POS gallons of
spirits.
MIR. Lothrop of Boston objected to the order
and thought the proper way was to have the
facts investigated by the proper authorities.
The Legislature was not the court to try this
case lie read the law relating to the bonds of
the State Agent and said if the allegation
made against Mr.. Burnliam was correct it
should be laid at once before the District At
torney.
Mr. Peabody of Lynn did not agree with
the last speaker, and asked why the Governor
had not moved in the matter, and taken meas
ures to punish the guilty party. He was not
disposed to let the matter slip on account of
the inaction of any one. The House should
take cognizance Of the affair, and thus expose
the frauds of the agent. If guilty, he had
committed one of the greatest of offences, and
the rumors should be investigated.
Mr.. Rice of Worcester moved the previous
question, and it was ordered. The order of
Mr. Russell was then adopted, with only two
dissenting votes.
Mr.. Russell wished to be excused from serv-
ing on the committee, but stated that he did
not mean to escape the responsibility, but
wanted committee that would attend to the
duty.
The Speaker then appointed on the commit.
tee--Messrs. Russell Of Boston, Page of Brim-
field, Eldridge of Canton, SpofIord of New.
buryport, and Chase Of Salem.
On motion Of Mr.. Merrill of Boston, the re-
part Of the committee on the right of Mr.. Crit
fin to his seat in the House, was assigned for
consideration on Monday next at II o'clock
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