St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1873-11-14

Temperance.--The Matter of Druggists
and Agents.

NJ. EditOr In my communication
of oct. 12nd. there was an error. as was
Justly observed in your editorial. Hav-
ing been miSiutolmed. it was mistake
to say that 1--WE have a druggist who Is
authorized to sell whatever liquors are
needed for medicinal. chemical or man
ufacturing purposes" He simply held
IL United States license and can go only
50 far aS this license will permit in his
sales of liquor. For the credit of the
town it may hc said that our druggist
evidently means to keep within the linn
its of both the letter and the spirit OF
the law.
1t appears then. that if ardent spirits
aIe wanted for chemical or manufacture
ing puposeS. and in some cases even in
sickness. it can hc legally procured only
at the town agents. There is then Il
need of the agency for some purposes
how great the need, may he Il matter
of question hut that the agent holds a
highly responsible position i not il mat
ter of question. for the peace and wei
fare of community rest III IL measure i'll
his hands, and depend upon his diScre-
tion and firm adhrrance to the law, i'll
.lcttcr and spirit" If then an agency
i necessary. it j. also necessary that
the agent hc held to the closest reSpon-
>iblitl. 1t Is left with him. in certain
cases. to uSc his discretion. If il person
calls foI liquor, stating that it is toI
medical purposes. and the agent has
reason to hclicvc that il will hr used for
other purposes. to the intoNicati"n or
injury of any one. it is his duty to re
I Now do all town agents do this i'll every
Instance Ii not. they are liable to
prosecution. hut the difficulty is to pro-
cure the evidence I" support proSccu-
ton: tur it Is very easy for the agent
1" SAY Il am not supposed to know
what will he done with the liquor sold
t" any person only a> they signify the
purpose i"r Which they want it, ut the
time of purchase. Then what can be
dome This. at least. ii amy portion of
community is satisfied that an agent is
not faithful in thi, regard they may
call ion his removal and persist in call
ing Till he is removed. They may and
should insist i'll having a person of strict
integrity for an agent. This interest.
and the interest of the whole c0mmum-
l., demand thi~ and they >hould hc sat
i>ilrd with nothing less.
1t world hc wise prov i>ior. and
/ help even TIA" agent in his duties 10y
lc>>ruiug the number OF Illicit calls tul
liquor. II the law. required the agent to
Icc"ld in Il town book. the name of cv-
cry person buy ing liquor ct him, the
quantity bought, and the purp">c for
, which the purchaser stated it WIS to be
r~rd. ANY one ~ hu wished to procure
liquur ion any worthy purpose would
not object to hay ilg the record made.
! While some Of lh">c wishing it to drink
/ M"uld hesitate about giving The agent Il
call. besides this. Whcir il was pro-
cured through deception, there would
hc statistics recorded that would help
Ia tcuct ont the evil dncr. 1t would bc
the nIcan> "t bringing t" light paItics
who pretend aS middle men between
| he thinker and the agent procuring
liquor for the former under ial>,. pre-
lenses. In this and other WAYS all
friends of temperance need To he look
ing after THEN agents and following up
the temperance work. ONWNED.
! West Concord. Nov. 9TH.
Noh.- ON West Concord coIrc>rnm-
dent is Yet somewhat in error respect
ing druggists and their right to sell
liquor. Druggists are Just a> liable to
the penalties of the Ncrmnnt liquor law
If they have Il I. :. license il> il they
had none. The /. =. license simply
protects them from prosecution under
the nitrd States laws: and under the
present Vermont law druggists have no
more right to sell liquor than il clergy
man " blacksmith. Many druggists
take out Il /. :. license for the reason
that if Uncle sam catches them selling
liquor without one, il i Il more serious
matter than simply Il Justice court, and
Five dollars and costs" The only man
VIII" sells Intoxicating liquor legally in
Vermont L. the town agent.
And further. our state law has al
ready just the wise provision that our
correspondent suggests ~ an amend
! m"nt !. c.-thc agent is required to
keep record and report +" the Com
missioner, the amount of liquor sold.
! who to, the cost. and date of sale We
| have often heard it said that ON state
prohihItoIy law is we'll cnougII-all it
needs To make it effective is thoroughly
energetic and active officers of the law.
and Il healthy public sentiment behind
them. ED. CAL.
A Letter from Guelph"
DcGr Mage Il I've been to visit the
old Academy. No. it isn't the old any
longer. except as we may say the old
friend with new face. You'll find
nothing aS it used to he in the DAYS
IL I.t VA, .,,,,I I ,,.,,..