Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-01-23

before he can legally conduct a leRiumste ousl-
ness; il is then supposed TO throw its protecting
rgis over his head while engaged ia ths necessa
" duties Of his profession according to the usages
OF civilized society but this is a mistaken notion
through the in1cHole bearing Of other statutes or
by their construction 10 the courts, he s virtually
placed IL the position Of an habItual law breaker,
nasmuch a. the holding Of alcohol IN is various
forms subject him to fac suj imprisonment. Now
all the best authorities agree to the medicinal nee
cs.itv Of stimulants in certain e1igences. The
most radical prohibit iJnist comedies the principle
wLel be agrees TO the establishment Of town
agency" There Is hardy a medicine ia the prep
aration Of which alcohol IN some form Is not IN
dispensible. The apothecaiy peroIce, Is Gus
todi4u Of alcoholic liquors, but the general laws
are construed to make no distinction in his favor
II a malicious person makes complaint Al, officer
enters bis premises and SEXES such medic as
may be contraband Of laY. The selling or hnd
iug conyicts, unless the unfortunate apolhecaly
can swear that Ae would not dispense such msdi-
cire under auy circumstances, even were II pre-
srribed to save bis ninistsr OF mayAap some good
sister Of the praying band, or even his mothei-in-
laws life; unfortunate indeed must he be, il 50
morally obligations a. to take such an oath.
Unless the sale Of alcoholic spHits for mejiei-
nal use. is to be entirely forbidden hy legislation
The proper place for it is on the shelves Of spoth
Eecalies with other medicines. Let sensible per
son look At this question ia ali moral or Legal as
poets AMI he will fnd the apolAecary Is The prop.
Ell custodian. Il 1t is not wrong for a com uu nifty
10 sell spiiit through al agent, certainly from a
moral standpoint it is not the chine which the
statutes make it for spDthecary ID dispense it,
when required by the physician, for the use Of
the invalid. On the other hand Il wong for an
spothecary to dispense 1t ulder such circumstances
it Is crime for acommunity TO authorize an sgtnt
TO self it in which every citizen shares the guilt
and moral stigma.
But Ter u. see if these apotAecsiies ask license
in the Fl &c rum sense, as has been 50 unblu,hng
" assered--their bill, drawn with a view
VI according with the real temperance sentiment
Of the state is TO amend that section of the lhar
macy act which gives them the right to keep, sub
cct to legislative restriction all medicines and
4 poisons. 1t proposes to add the words including
/ spiiluous liquors which they shall have the night
to keep and hold" Subject to legislative restiic-
! ton OF course for compromising medicines ana
/ for physicians Prescriptions Good lawyers say
say it is extremely doubtful if this would
give them the atenuated night Of dispensing
clear liquors on Prescriptions. Be this as it may
/ the following the principal objections uigei
against the bill by persons who mouth them all IN
the same breath, regardless OF consistency or log
! &c.
First. 1t is seriously argued that druggists have
these rights already.
Second. Physicians would prescribe Stimulate
when unnecessary aud make drunkards.
Third. 1t sweeps away all iesrant on the liquor
traffic and makes oven two handred free rum shops
IN the State.
Fourth Any community can already license
aai run by law an agency for the sale Of lun )
(which would make over 400 free rum shops il
the state.)
Fifth. 1t is class legislation.
Sixth. Alcohol IN any form IS not noccessary
as medicine.
In reply to the frat objection. il an apothecaty
has already the privilege asked for, why refuse to
put it on the statute book in many words and
not leave the inference Of the law, now con-
strued, against him The section if amended as
asked would certainly give the pharmsceutist no
privilege which public opinion does not already
accord him, and coniers right not admitted to
be reasonable by the most ultra temperance man
in private conversation. To illustrate: Here in
Augusta, the druggists made effort during tho
past year to conduct their business according 10
the intent of the prohibitory statutes as construed
by the courts. No alcoholic stimulsnts were dis
pepsed by them for any purpose iof at least five
months What was the result They were
charged by the very men now weighing against
! legalzng this right, with cOnspring to break
down prohibitory legislation and defeat the end,
of temperance! The inference then would seem
TO be, that the proposed legislation would be in
the interest Of temperance and morality.
Second. If trusted family pay stefan is not
( supposed 10 know when stmuants are necessary
who is? Who cser heard e "town agent le-
fusing physician. prescrp.ion,-i could read
If there are dishol orable ghy,iciaus who make
drunkards by prescribing ,timulants when need
less, let our law makers who are paid to legslate
for the public veal, guard against this in the
enactment.
Third. 1t does not sweep away the restrictions
Of the traffic in favor Of the apothecary, mas
much as he remains liable TO all the pains and
penalties of the prohibitory laws should he abuse
any privilege Conferred.
Fourth. II any community can authorize an
agency, even admitting this apohecaries, bill gives
the privilege Of sale under certain circumstances
where Is tae Argument against granting this priv
icge It is simply sheer nonsense to assert that an
apothccary with individual RESPONSE illty the law
cannot be as well controlled as an irresponsible
agent Of a community, with restriction on med
icnal sales except his individual Judgment, which
is generally, to say the least no better than that
CT the physician.
Fifth. The class legislation objection is the
most serious in the minds cr many but the cir.
cumst4nces which have made such legislation a
necessity in all countries, to regulate the sxcep-
tioually hazardou, business Of apohecarics, would
fully Justify discrimination in favor Of the phal-
maceut,ts rightto conduct has legitimate business
IN legal manner.
The sixth objection needs no answer. The ply
sicians Of the State, almost 10 a man, demand this
measure ia the interest q the invalid and humanity
while the thousand. Of our citizens Representing
property, temperance and INTEL gence. who have