The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1866-06-22
I'VE copy the following from Boston zions Herald Of
" June 18TH.
TIE STATE LIQUOR AGENT VINDI-
GATED,

Hon. Edward F. Porter, now one OF the Alder.
men of this city. more than six years ago was ap.
pointed State Liquor Agent, to keep pure liquors
for medicinal aud other necessary purposes, and
sell them according to the provisions Of the Mas.
sachusetts Prohibitory Law. His we'll known
temperance principles, combined with good busi-
ness habits and integrity of character, made him
the choice of the friends of temperance for this
important and responsible trust As the prohibi-
tory law made the sale OF liquors contrary to its
provisions illegal, tho men illegally engaged in
the liquor traffic have been persistently hostile
both to the agency and the agent. Nopains have
becn SHARED by the active cmissaries OF rum to
iriure both the business and the reputation OF the
agent. but from oil their false charges he has been
yindicated, and nothing worthy OF censure has
been proved against him. Wcpu6lish the follow
ing extracts taken from papers somo Of which are
by no means friendly either to the prohibitory
law or to any engaged In efforts to sustain 1t:
L,ouop LAW The former law partner lR. s.
Spoiiori, Jr.l of the distinguished counselor re-.
tainel and employed by the 80 callei public
Safety UiIuor) Association" Is making quite o
noise In tho Legislature. We wonder II he Is also
retained by that Association with m understand
inc that he Is To make his plcadngs in the House
of Representatives ?-"License Law .ddrocatc,"
in Transcript.
Cancellations from the State Agency ln-
vcsiigntion.
Mr. EpIroR:-Wc think the greatest argument
ever made In favor OF the present liquor law Is in
the fact that Mr.. Porter has sold over million
dollars worth Of spirits and wines during his nd
ministration of the office, which have been pro-
nounced pure aud unadultcrated by DIR. Hayes;
one of the State Assayers. DR.. Hayes testified be
fore the Legislative Committee that he had visited
Mr.. Porter's place of business once or twice
week since Mr.. r. took the office, and examined
the liquors and wines to be sold at the agency.
Notwithstanding the persistent efforts that have
been made by the able counsel and feeble witncs
ses TO find something to the injury Of Mt. Porter,
and for n damaging effect against the law, no
evidence has been introduced that any but pure
and unadulterated spirits and wines tit for med
icna purposes have been sold Mt the agency;
that these were sold at the cost or q low market
safes for the expense to the State OF the examna-
tion, and Is, undoubtedly, q source OF deep re.
gret and modification to those who were so free
In grave charges against the agency. Friends OF
the law in the country haye for the past six years.
felt Obliged to use, for medicinal purposes, the
articles delivered to the town agents by Mr por
ter the State Liquor Commissioner; They nave
State agency, been protected from the use OF vie
and poisonous mixtures and authorizations, oftener
calculated to kill than cure when used In the
''healing art"
Upon charges made by Omar Binney, the man
ngement of the agency was investigated in the
summer Of 1864, by committee OF dov, An
drew's Council. Bnney had then just lett the
Liquor Commissioners office. full of disappoint.
ment and indignation because Mr.. Porter would
not increase his salary, and with every motive to
break him down, as therein lay Binney's chance
of keeping from public exposure his embezzement
of ~, 200. After this investigation was closed,
Gov. Andrew stated that Mr.. Porter Ind carried
out the law as we'll rs any man could do; that
Gov. Andrew beloved this no one will doubt, else
he would not have continued Mr.. Porter In office.
Gov. Andrew must feel great satisfaction ut the
course he took in the matter; he will also, doubt.
less, be pleased that the recent investigation prov
Cd nothing against MIR. Edward Z. Porter.
That Omar Binney should have the eifrontery
to reterate statements last Friday evening, that
had only few minutes before been fatty contra.
dicted by the testimony Of the Hon. Dwight Fos-
ter, shows the desperate position he occupies.
Whether or not much capital will be made, by
the investigation, for the Hard.Fisted Democrat
from Newburyport, or whether or not the rever.
end gentleman from Chelmsford Is likely to get o
License Law for his friends by the part he has
taken in the matter, Is somewhat doubtful
Trarellsr.
TuE STATE LIQUOR AaESCY.-The investigation
, which has been made by the Legislative Commit
tee into the transactions Of the State Liquor
Agent have been reported nj length In our col.
umns. The Erening Commercial, which would
not be apt o have auy political affinity with Hon.
Edward Z. Porter, has given expression to the
following opinions, which are endorsed by the
many personal friends Of Mr.. Porter:
Tas Stat, Liquor Agsney.-The State Liquor Agency
has been OF late the subject Of Legislative scrutiny
by committee holding its sessions in the Green
Room. No disclosures Of any particular interest 70
the pablo have been made. Quite number OF wit
ne,ses have been examined. and Attorney have ap,
or Mr. Porter OF the Agency.
While We have no iaith in the efficacy OF the Maine
Law md Its nstrunisnalties to accomplish the oh.
tia, the State Liquor Agency, as msnassd for tho
past six and half years, has actually afforded 70
the community those most important desidsfate lor
the sick, pure liquors, both dlstle and feImsnted.
has besn OF great the people Of this and
neiyhborng States II has had tho advantage of Oh.
tanning Us supply OF FOREIGN haa. upon ~ e yn,tsr mvs.
&Tsylor, one o. the largest imPe,tng houses ~ Tie
United states. Tho testimony Of Dr. uhyes, He As;
saycr Of the Agency. IN reference 70 the purity OF
It's yoods, Was most fall and intesesung: ana isu no
the branss, gins whisky and wines furnished by tho
Agency have been OF the best quality. And this 10
the most important point In the whole business.
When the community - assured thst u has been
complaint The seandalous disclosures brought 70
Iight by similar scrutiny into the management Of
the Agency By foEsner agent caused the public 70
BE- resdy % beleys almost snyi.hing ass might 6s
to develop anything Of moment. sud tho rspsrt Of
the COMMITTEES oaunot 10 othsrwiss than favorable.
One or two instances OF Watering liquors were tssti-
ned b.t !hs LIQUORS thus wsssrsd were much ssots