Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-02-21
STATE LIQUOR COMMISSION.

To the Editor of the Kenne6ec Journal
The arguments which are used for the re-
peal of the act establishing the State Liquor
Commission are based, mainly, upon the asser-
ton that the Agent or Commissioner has been
unfaithful in the trust committed to him, that
he has sold impure liquors, that he has charged
too much for his liquors &c, &c. Now it is
not my purpose to defend Mr. Shaw, the COM
missioner, only to say in passing that he is a
man of unimpeachable character for honesty
and integrity. These complaints are within
the power and authority'of the Governor and
Council and it is their duty to investigate them
and further have assurance that that inves-
tigation will take place. But suppose these
complaints are well founded. Is that rea-
son why the Agency shall be abolished and the
town and city Agencies allowed to, purchase
any where and everywhere without any re-
straints? Will they be likely to get any pure
liquorsS Will they get the same quality of
liquors at any priceS Will not the effect be
just as it was before the State Agency was es-
tablished, viz: the keeping on sale by these
local Agencies an article, as was the case in
many instances, entirely unfit for use? While
we are obliged to have intoxicating liquors for
medicinal and mechanical purposes, all the re-
straints possible should be thrown around their
sale and the several Agencies should be
kept under proper legal restraint. 1t would
indicate greater wisdom on the part of the leg
islature to postpone the repeal of the law until
another winter, and in the mean time have the
matter of the State Agency investigated most
thoroughly by the Governor and Council and
report the matter to next Legislature and also
report a better plan if one is needed for fur
nishing the people the facilities for the pro-
curing of liquors for legitimate purposes.
1t would be most unwise and disastrous
step for the present legislature to repeal that
law. 1t would impede the cause of temper
ance greatly andwould very much discourage
the true friends of temperance in their efforts.
l write in the interest Of no man, but from my
efforts and labors in the temperance cause for
forty years have right to claim that leg
islature elected by temperance men TO a very
great extent, a legislature pledged to "the
principle of prohibition and its enforcement"
shall not open the flood gates of intemperance
upon US. / know that if the majority of the
present legislature repeal that law they will
do it under misapprehension of the true state
of the cause and in disregard of the wishes of
the leading earnest temperance men of the
State. The ends professedly sought by them
will not be gained, but on the contrary the
local agents unrestrained, will impose upon
those who are required to have liquors for
medicinal and mechanical purposes infinitely
more than they now do. l might, perhaps
say more properly that this imposition will
come through the local agencies from the
liquor sellers of Boston and New York, who
are really laboring for this repeal and who are
ready doubtless to spend any amount of
money to accomplish this purpose. The leg
islature of Maine should pause before they
give their influence to this Liquor Sellers
League"
A FRIEND OF PROHIBITION.