The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1878-01-18
The Druggfst,s Bill.

To the Editor of the Press:
Upon first thought the demand of Druggists
of this State for the right to "keep and hold
spirituous liquors for compounding medicines
would seem to be reasonable and of sanitary
Importance. But upon careful and close scru-
tiny of all its bearings, and upon the feasibility
of granting such request there comes up in
surmountable objections, that cannot be over
come without radical and entire change of all
previous prohibitory legislation. And, observ-
ing the good results of the fair and impartial
enforcement of the law in this State during the
past two years we think the temperance people
will be very reluctant to make new depar-
ture involving SO much Of uncertainty and risk
as this proposition does; to say nothing of the
great liability of abuse that would naturally
result in the event of any such ''class legisla-
tion."
The first question that prssentslitself to the
candid and unprejudiced mind is, What are
the necessities Of the demand? Have the nhar-
macists of this State, heretofore been impeded
in the prosecution of their legitimate business
by the want OF opportunities of obtaining alco-
holic compound medicines or of spurious
liquors of any kind to fill the requirements of
we can see no reason or necessity for
changing the law that has now grown into pub
lie favor blythe result of its grand accomplish
ments.
And furthermore, the proposition Is incon-
sistent in that it virtually asks for change of
principle from Prohibition to License, or rath-
er prohibition to one class and license to an
other class of traders. TO grant the request of
the apothecaries would be to practically license
the druggists of Maine to traffic in Intoxicating
liquors to the extent their consciences and hon.
esty might dictate. The druggists of Maine are
as honest as any other class of traders no
doubt, and they can also equally subject to all
the weaknesses and sordid desires of other NOR
tails and dishonest practices would be sure to
follow this wide opening of the door to legisla-
tive liquor traffickng. 1t is true the large ma
jority might not abuse the privilege il It was
granted, but there would be sure to be some
who would take advantage of this privilege to
enrich themselves at the sacrifice of the morals
of community, and fellow trader would be
unwilling to make complaint against his neigh
Dor, and the general public would feel that it
was none Of their business and the violation
would consequently go unpublished.
License and Prohibition engrafted into one
law is inconsistent and cannot be made to har-
monte. Unless the people of Maine are pre-
pared to establish 'cass-legislation' giving
exclusive privileges to one class and denying
the same to another. For If the apothecaries
are to be allowed to use spirituous liquors for
compromising medicines and for selling upon
physicians prescriptions, why not allow the
w
sale for arothecaries' use? What shall be
done with town and state agencies?" abolis b
them and invite an invasion of the rum hosts of
every State in the Union?
The question of how best to regulate and re-
strain the sale of intoxicating liquors is all inn
portant. 1t is an intricate and delicate cues
ton, upon the solution of which to a great ex-
tent hang the destinies of not only the pres
ent but of future generations. 1t is ques-
ton which has long been discussed in
Maine as well as in other States, and
We had INDUCED the hope that in
the Pine Tree State, at least, the question
was definitely settled; that prohibition of the
traffic wasthe fixed and irrevocable sentiment
of the people, and close and IMPARTIAL observa-
ton of the working of this principle in our
city and state especially during the past two
years, leads us to declare for the temperance
people of Maine that they will never consent
to submit tamely to the overthrow of this prin-
ciple until something better can be offered to
obliterate the traffic in Intoxicating liquors.
1t has been declared upon the floor of Con-
gress, by an honored son of Maine, that the
liquor traffic was the Gigantic crime of crimes,
aud the people, too well understand the danger
and evil entaled upon the community by the
traffic to again permit it to be sanctioned BY legs-
lativs enactment. And finally, the popular vote
Of the people of Maine gave emphasis to the
enactment Of this law, and If it is to be nulli-
fed or Numerically changed, lot the people
again have opportunity of voting upon the
question. F. G. B,