Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-02-24

the law to destroy all forfeited liquors, were
passed to aid in accomplishing this object.
1t could not have been any part of the design
of the friends of these measures to furnish
these liquors with as little expense as possible
to the people; for 1t must have been apparent
to destroy all competition and create a single
monopoly would tend greatly to enhance the
prices. If everybody is compelled to pur-
chase of the State Agent and pay seven per
cent. more than the bills show that he paid, IL
is clearly no object for him to purchase at
a low price, for his commission is not on the
quantity sold, but on the amount of sales.
Of course it is easier to obtain $1,000 as
commissions, on liquors at six dollars per
gallon, than it would be at three dollars per
gallon. If, however, the agency has accom-
plished and is accomplishing the main object
sought, namely, the furnishing Of pure liquors
to the people for medicinal use, then say
that, however desirable it may be in general,
that everything should be supplied to the
people at as low a rate as is practicable, the
additional price on the very small quantity Of
liquor that is absolutely required for medici-
nal use, should not be regarded as a very
strong argument in favor of abolishing this
agency. 1t certainly would not be very
heavy tax on my patients; for believe that
five gallons of liquors of all kinds for external
and internal use, would cover the whole
amount of what l prescribe for my patients
in any one year.
The main question then is, as think,
whether or not the people are supplied with .
better quality of liquors for medicinal use, by
means of this agency, than they would be
without it,
In anything which have said or may say
in the course of these remarks, do not in
tend to reflect in the least degree upon the
s-k@ -c H. CkHkn r-rv<A
Commissioner; for he has always treated me
and the members OF the profession to which
belong with uniform courtesy, SO far as
know. He has also taken great pains to Sc
cure the confidence of the profession in the
present plan, and his methods of carrying out
that plan of furnishing liquors. Aud still
know that it is the almost uniform sentiment
of the profession that the plan is radically
defective; and that the liquors obtainable at
the city and town agencies are not on an
average equal in quality and purity with those
obtainable from other sources. also think
that the people pretty generally share IN TINS
sentiment. l know it is SO with my own
patients. Those of them, pretty generally,
who never use liquors, except purely as
medicine are not satisfied to have me give
them an order to go to the agency, and
get what have prescribed. They wish me
first to examine the quality of the liquor, or
assure them that have done so; or else they
wish me to furnish it to them direct, from
source that know is reliable. have pur-
chased some liquors of agents which | con-
sidered every way suitable for medicinal use;
and have also purchased other specimens at
the same prices, which considered vile stun.
And | have the testimony of liquor agent
that at one time he had very desirable quail
ity of gin, which gave satisfaction to the
physicians and to all who purchased 1t. when
the supply was exhausted he sent to the State
Agent for more of the same brand and num-
Der, and received supply which was 90 un-
satisfactory that he returned it; and received
in explanation that it was sent BY mistake,
but was equally as good in quality a. the for
mer specimen, and Of the same price, out was
indeed different brand. 1t is true tnat ior
the past year, have no knowledge OF wnat
kind of liquors have been furnished to the
people through town agencies; for our Town
has had no agency, within this time IL II
however my sincere belief that the people are
in nowise benefited by the establishment and
continuance of the State Liquor Agency; and
l cannot see how it can be claimed, that an
institution which sells $l05, ,59l.56 worth OF
liquors to less than one-third of the towns ana
cities of this State is in the interests OF the
cause of temperance.
l certainly most earnestly desire to sustain
and aid any and all measures, which give rea-
sonable promise of affording the rising gen.
Grafton assistance in becoming temperate,
educated, and virtuous people; and believe
that my vote to repeal such monstrous legis-
lation as the bill now under discussion is in
tended to repeal, can in no way be construed
to the contrary.