Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-02-04
THE DRUGGISTS, BILL.
Final Hearing before the Committee-Au-
guments ON bOtn side.,

nelu before the committee on temperance, IN the
Hall Of the House. Friday evening.
DR.. n. S. Harlow Of Bangor was the first speaker
lie said the intention Of the apothecaries had been
not to have large number of petitions, but only
representative men, believing the committee could
decide better fiom arguments. He defended the
apothecsries against the charges against them
The object sought is to have the right to prose-
cute branch of their business, which would meet
the approval OF the community. Prominent tenn
perance men in Bangor had given their assent to
have druggists keep liquors for medicinal pur-
poses, among them Hon. j. S. Wbeelwright,
who bad promised to defend the measure
before the committee. Objections to the petition
bad been made by persons who knew nothing of
the character of the petition. We do
not ask for the privilege of selling
| liquor; only the right to prosecute an hon.
orable business. Under the pharmacy act the
proper restrictions may be made, and the drug
gists are willing to submit to any restriction.
The best classes of our citizens come to the
druggists every month of every year for the
article, which if they sell they break the law.
This is true of nearly all the prominent temper
ance men in his city. Unusual care is required
to dispense these poisons, and who in the com
muny is more competant to deal out these than
apothecaries If ss druggist he bad violated
the law, it had been with the concurrence and
consent OF the municipal officers and people Of his
city. The tn ing we ask for does not release us
| at all from the ban of the Maine liquor law.
DIR. j. Q. A. Hawes sald that after the denuncia.
toas at a former meeting against apothecarles, it
might seem presumptuous for tax payer and a
citizen to petition and ask for law that is just
and right. Under the law we have not as had been
asserted, the legal right to keep alcohol. He
showed the Inconsistencies of those who clamor
against apothecares, and then call upon them to
ask them to break the law. The best people of
the place call upon apothecaries for liquors, be-
cause they believe they can get the best there,
and have the medicines carefully compounded.
With the almost universal practice of medicines,
liquors are recognized as medicines. He showed
the inconsisten of those who clamored against
this bill, and still went for town and city ageu-
cies. The present law is inconsistent, creating
hypocracies, evasion in common practice. 1t is
objected to the proposed law that it will fill the
State with drug stores. Those who made it do
not know what they ask for. All who enter the
business must pass rigid examination. He
would like comparison Of the petitions and re-
monstlances, and would be gratied at the result.
Prof. Markoe of Boston, spoke of the progress
OF tue knowledge of pharmacy, and the organiza-
ton Of pharmaceutical societies There are now eight
regular schools of pharmacy In the country. The
educated apothecary stands between you and the
physician. The pharmacist cannot properly per-
form his duties without the use of spirituous lq.
uors. He cannot carry on his business without
IT. The vast majority OF people demand these
liquors as a medicine. II the apothecary is well
trained for his duties, he is the best man to be
trusted with so potent drug as alcohol. He
had, when an apothecary, been disgi aced with be-
ing classed with common criminals. He did not
think this would further the cause of temperance
by stigmatlzing men OF an honorable and phiIan-
thropic profession 1t is well the profession of phar
macy is so guarded. II the pharmacist dsgraces
his profession, he would be deprived of his right
to practice.
Hon. Joshua Nye replied to some the points
made. He thought the last speaker did not I'M
derstand the laws Of Maine There is nothing in
our laws that prohibits the compounding of med
lpines by truUui .fs No hacarv he
convicted unless he sells illegally and for improp-
er purposes. People have been deceived in sign
ing the petition. He had read letters from apoth
ecaries themselves saying they already had all
the law they needed showing that all the drug
glsts of the State do not ask for the privilege Of
selling on ply scisns' prescriptions. 1t lad been
insinuaed by DR.. Hawes that the remonslraIces
were manufactured by the wholesale. He be
heved that the women and children, well as
the men, had the right to demonstrate against
this great evil. 1t has been said that temperance
men had bought of apohecaries, and therefore
they ought to be licensed. What an argument
Agents for the legitimate sale of liquor now
established i'll every town and city in the State.
The agent is placed under severe restrictions; the
| liquor is examined by an assayer, and pure
liquors are guaranteed. Three quarters of the
people of the State believe that liquors are neces-
sary for medicinal purposes, and he would not de-
pive them of an opportunity of procuring liquors.
He referred TO Mr.. Wheelwrght of Bangor Ms op-
believe apothecaries knew about the quality OF
liquors better than the town agents.
If 1t had been known to the people of this State
| month ago that such a law was asked for, a
hu ndred thousand names would have come in on
these remonstrances. The Reform clubs, Ladies
Unions, Good Templars and thousands who do
not belong to any temperance organization, are
opposed to this bill. If submitted to the people
OF the State it would be voted down with crush
ing majority. He knew honorable druggists and
phy srians hut <vonld uiv this RI
class.
Ormandal Smith, Esq made statement in re-
gard to the remonstrance that had been signed in
one handwriting. The original had been produced.
From the localities with which he was familiar
he knew that the best men in his locality, and the
men and women who had suffered from the effects
of strong drink, had signed the remonsirance.
A. c. Otis, Esq, Of Winthrop, had cndesvored
to find out whether this movement was in the in.
teress of apothecaries or in the interests of hui
msnty. A week ago he did not believe that the
apOthecaries were boldly violating the law; but
these high toned apothecaIics stand up here and
boldly say they have. 1t is well settled that
apothecaries have the right to keep and retain
all the liquors for solvents and tinctures and other
purposes Now they want the right to sell the
liquor in every form whether pure or mixed. The
saloon keepers the hotel keepers have as much
reason to cry out for their rights" the apothe-
carries If apothecaries are only competent to dis
pense the poison, why not appoint apothecary as
town sgenti The law is all sufficient in that di-
rection.
The chief motive of these men seems to be dol
lars and cents, and nothing else. 1t seemed to
him to be So He believed that intelligent men
had signed both petitions and remonstrances
The mothers and children have the right to sign
the remonstance, as they those who suffer
from the rum traffic. Whatever those on the
other side may advance in theory let us keep be-
fore us the practical facts that are worked out in
real life. II those druggists sell now. in utter
disregard OF law. what will they do when the re-
strctions are taken Off
Hon. Joseph Baker was the next speaker. He
said when he signed the petition he did not expect
to take an active part in thus discussion; but lis
tenng to the abusive remarks the other evening
on the other side, he felt that his position bad
been assailed, his motives impugned, and it was
high time that the rights of a petitioner to the
Legislature were understood. He alluded to life
long temperance men who had signed the petition,
and who had been assailed by those who had been
drinking men all their lives, and by their own
confession. 1t had been asserted that it was the
proposition of the apothecaries to open the flood
gates of rum To show the error he would read
the bill, which the petitioners proposed 10 submit
The bill is as follows:
An Act to amend section of chapter 2O4 of the
laws of 1877.
BE ii enacted etc.
Sect /. Section s of chapter 204 of the laws
of 1877 is amended as to read as follows:
Sect. s. Apothecares registered as herein
proyided shall have the right To keen under snch