Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-03-16
MAINE LEGISLATURE.
Senate.
TUESDAY, March 10.

On motion Of Mr.. CARvrLL, bill an act to
authorize the town of Brunswick TO build
town hall and for other purposes, was taken
from the table
The same Senator moved amendments
marked "D' "E" r. and &c" which were
adopted -The--bill then passed to be en-
crossed.
Mr.. TALBOT, from the Committee on Inte-
rior Waters, on an order, reported bill an act
TO prevent the destruction of roads on ice.
Printed under the rule.
On motion of Mr.. REED. bill an act to A-
thorize the city of Portland 10 aid i'll the con-
struction of the Portland and Rutland Kali
road, Was taken from the. table and indefinite
~ postponed.
Bill an act to regulate the agencies for and
II prevent imposition in the sale Of intoxicating
liquors, being on its passage TO be engrossed,
Mr. REED opposed its passage on the ground
that it was unealled for aad open TO many
objections. rE.E
Mr.. LANG explained that there are but l6
towns reported on the east side of the Penob-
scot river, showing that the other towns must
have obtained their liquors unlawfully. The
agent at one time made an arrangement to
have liquors sent by the Portland agent direct
from Boston without analyzing or assaying;
it was done and the percentage was sent
to the commissioner; such percentage is
charged in Portland that liquors can be OBJ
tanned cheaper from Boston dealers.
Mr.. METcALF thought the principle OF the
bill was bad There are many other cities
that would like TO procure their liquors else
where, and thought it just as proper to esttb-
lish wholesale shops in every city in the State
as in Bangor
Agencies carry corruption with them wher-
ever irtrodnced.
Mr. LANG thought that the commissioner
had done as well as was possible for any man
to do. Is not in favor of increasing liquor
selling.
Mr. CUSHING was opposed to the general
principle of the bill. The truth of the matter
is that the direct trade east of Penobscot river
is more closely connected with Portland than
Bangor. This agency is for the city of Ban
gor, and he thought it improper to favor one
city more than another. You can get better
liquor at the apothecary shops than at agcn-
cles.-
The medicinal traffic would b. better man
aged in apothecary shops than in these legal
rum shops.
Any man can obtain all the liquor he wish
es at any agency. Portland may be more
virtuous but it is doubted No questions are
asked as To the reasons. When You have
a rum shop in every town hedged in by paper
statutes, il is great farce
The greater part of the year Bangor is in
accessible. La tire winter they are blocked
up by ice.i with very little railroad adj
vantages.
Mir. GUSHING NOV cd that the bill be amend
ed by adding " interport, so that it shall read
three commissioners, one at Portland, one at
Bangor, and one at Winterport.
Mr.. LANG thought that this ridicule was i'll
timed. Now tina. prohibition is a plank" in
the Republican platform we should faithfully
carry it out We have passed new liquor
law. Let us not strike at that now.
Mr.. CusnING said that he would go farther
than the Senator from Kennebec. He would
abolishievery rum shop in the State including
the State rum shop. If the State policy is to
be the increase Of rum selling, he claimed
that the town of Winterport las MS much
right to engage in this traffic as the city of
Bangor.
Mr.. BUEFuM spoke in favor of the BILL
Mr.. REED said that this talk of competition
is well enough when applied TO legitimate
traffic. One argument is that liquors can be
obtained cheaper. The main object of the
bill is to salve the conscience of the Bangor
agent who walls over the suffering endured
by the people of Bangor. If one agency is
fraught with wrong doing, why duplicate the
evil?
Mr. LANG asked Mr.. Reed if he favored
plpiIioitioh.
Mr.. REED replied that his standing was too
we'll known to require definition.
Mr.. LANG again spoke in favor of the bill.
Mr.. NEALLEY expressed himself in favor Of
prohibition. and would vote at any time
against extending the sale OF liquors.
Mi. WEBB spoke in favor Of the bill and
thought that there could be no more effective
instrument for suppressing rumsellins.
Mr.. CUSHING is opposed to the establish
ment Of runlshops, but it is "a proper for lndi-
viduals as for the State to traffic in it. Is it
cxpediency to crush out the public rulnshops
and establish State agencies? There is not
one town agency in twenty but which will
sell all the liquor wanted. Is opposed to the
bill. Nine-tentls OF these agencies are public
nuisances. Denys the propriety and cxpedi-
ency of these agencies Either prohibit the
rumselling business entirely or allow all the
people of the State to embark in it. Let us
be consistent and prohibit it in all directions.
Mr. LANG denied that the bill proposes to
establish any such agencies as the gentleman
stated. The people will have liquors for
medicinal and mechanical purposes, and
il is proposed that the State shall regulate
that sale. The law simply proposes that there
shall be two commissioners instead of one
to supply such liquors as are necessary, OF a
proper kind and in a proper manner
Mr.. LANE said he is in favor of trying the |
doctrine of prohibition, and is in favor of a
State police if necessary to carry out the |
measure. Is opposed TO the bill. Business
is not meant by the movers in this MATTER
they are in favor of prohibtion but would es-
tablish another rumshop. Don't let US legal
ize rumshops. 1t is a proposition that bears
its righteousness upon its face. Moved the
indefinite postponement of the bill.
Mr.. WEBB denied the assertion that those |
who favored the bill did not mean business |
Would vote to do away with the agency at
Portland, and will go as far as any man for
the forw arding of the cause of temperance in
the State.
The amendment proposed by Mr.. Gushing
was rejected.
The question then REQUIRED upon the origi-
nal question to postpone indefinitely.
Mr.. Cushing moved that the question be
taken i,y yeas and nays Carried
Nj French moved amendment ''B' which
was adopted. This changes the title of the
bill. Amendment &c" was then adopted.
Air. LANG moved the bill be laid on the Ia
BE 10 be printed. Lost. ,
The vote was then taken upon the bill as
amended, which includes only sections and |
3 of the original bill, and the bill was passed |