The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1866-03-14


1t is known to our readers that an oroaniza-
tion OF liquor dealers, known as the "Public
Safety Association" has for some time had an
existence in Boston, and been extending
throughout the State of Massachusetts,. The
frequent removal of cases under the Maine
law from the State to the United States
Courts, not only in Massachusetts, but in
Maine, has been understood to be in accord
ance with the determination of this associa-
tion to test the constitutionality of all prohib-
itory laws which apply to articles taxed by the
United States. The liquor dealers claim, es-
sentially, that if the general government col
lects a tax from them it becomes thereby
bound to protect their business. To put the
matter on frmer footing, since this claim
was felt to be rather weak under existing laws,
Mr.. Green Clay Smith, M. c., of Kentucky,
has been induced to offer bill expressly al
lowing the license granted under the Internal
revenue act to legalize the transactions for
which it is taken out We trust our Repre-
ssntatives in Congress will watch Mr.. Smiths
little bill with vigilance
evinced by the following circular, which was
picked up in the streets of Portland last week.
We give Mr.. Hunt the benefit of this adyer-
tisement of his business gratis:
TO THE LIQUOR DEALERS OF MAINE.
Rooms Of the Public Safety Associationl
-..l.sH .l- OF Boston and Mass.
10 Lindall St., Boston, Jan. 10. 1896.
The Executive Committee of the Public
Safety Association of Boston and Massachu-
sets are willing to extend their usefulness to
those who are interested in the sale of Wines
and Spirits in the State OF Maine; and in COM
mencing the undertaking, it is perhaps expect
ed of them to review briefly their success for
the past five months, and to suggest plan
whereby you can join our organization, with
view to break down and crush out an Prohib-
itory Laws, and, in lieu thereof, have substi-
tuted for your present Statutes, a good, fair,
protective License Law.
We organized with 81 members, and now
number more than 1000.
We have successfully prevented the pay
ment of single dollar to the Commonwealth,
by fines or forfeitures. r-... 81
We have succeeded in carrying our Cases,
by petition, to the United States Courts for
trial.
We have efectually cured our Police Off
GERS of seizing Liquors and retaining them in
the Officers custody.
Believing in a fair, open, commercial traffic
in Spirits, Wine, Ale, and Beer, we protect all
members joining in your State, by the best of
legal advisers, whenever members are prose-
cuted, by their paying twenty-five dollars, and
an obligation for twenty-five dollars, to be call
ed for whenever the exigencies of the Execu-
tive Committee of the Association require,
not paying however over one hundred dollars
during the year. Parties complained of or in
dicted before joining, must pay fifty dollars
for Gard of Membership, and guaranty of
twenty-five dollars additional.
All members must obtain a United States
License. @
Members must keep respectable and orderly
places of business, and in no instance do we
defend Sunday sales. w
Will you become member? and assist in
obtaining the privilege of transacting this
branch of business by the Taxpayer only, and
to the exclusion of the State authorities?
Mr.. ii. N. Hunt, OF Massachusetts, will pre-
sent this Circular, and he will personally su-
perintend the enrolment of names in your
States, and will issue Cards of Membership to
all desirous of uniting in breaking down the
modern fanaticism and excessive legislation in
regard to the sales OF Liquors.
Per order Of the Executive Committee of
the p. s a.
JOSEPH A. BoYDEN, Chairman,
CHARLES H. BLANCHARD, Secretary.