The Portland daily press., 1878-01-16
WEDNESDAY, MORNING, JAN. Ie.
BY TELEGRAPH.
FROM AUGUSTA.

The Druggist BiIl-PortIand Police-The
Contested Seats, &c.
Especial to Pressl
AUGUSTA, Jan. Is.
The apothecary bill, which was introduced in
tne House few days since, is the subject of
considerable talk, both among the people and
members.o the Legislature. The bill is an
amendment to the Pharmacy act which was
passed last year, and is as follows:
Sec. 8 of chap. 204 of the year 1877 is here
by amended by striking out all after the word
utility In the fourth line and inserting in the
place thereof the words, 'including spirituous
lquors, which they shall have the right to
keep and hold for compromising medicines and
Tor physicians prescriptions so that the said
section as amended shall read as follows:
Sec. .. Apothecarles registered as herein
provided shall have the right to keep, under
such restrictions as the Legislature NAV impose,
All medicines and poisons authorized by the U.
.: Dispensatory and Pharmacop9ia as of recog-
nlzod medicinal utility, including spirituous
liquors, which they shall have the right to keep
ana nolo Tor compromising medicines, and for
physicians prescriptions.
The prominent temperance men of this sec
ton Of the state are bitterly opposed to the
bill. They Say it will set the work back twen-
ty years and that it is but little better than a
license law. gentleman who has been prom
lnent in the temperance cause in this state for
twenty years told me that although the phar-
macy act made monopoly of the drug trade
he did not oppose it, but if the druggists are
going to tack on a license TO sell all the liquor
they please, the whole bill will be in danger.
On the other hand, there are many consistent
temperance men who are heartily in favor of
the bill, and who are signing petitions for its
enactment fhat mill he
liquor traffic for medicinal purposes in proper
hands and protect it and disarm the advocates
of license law of their strongest argument
A hearing will be had upon the bill probably
this week.
By far the livelest session of the season was
held yesterday afternoon. Senator Phillips,
chairman of the committee on the Senatorial
vote, presented his report which seated Mr..
Burleigh of Aroostook. 1t soon became appar-
ent that that part which related to the six
tenth district would not be accepted. On mo-
ton of Senator Martin the report was divided
The first fifteen districts were accepted an d the
Aroostook district was referred to a special
committee of seven to fully investigate the le-
gality of the election in that district, with pow
er to send for persons and papers. A resolve
was passed that Mr.. Burleigh is entitled to
seat on prirad Jtacie evidence and he was sworn
in today. 1t is said that there are over eighty
afidayits in the hands of counsel, showing all
manner of frauds in that district. 1t is not I'M
likely that the moduS operandi of conducting
elections in that famous locality will be shown
up.
The contested election case of Poland against
Bliss has received its quietus by the chairman
of the House election committee notifying Pc.
land that as he had failed to give the required
fourteen days notice of his intention to con-
test he therefore cannot be heard. Mr.. Bliss
generously offered to waive all notice and allow
Poland the fun of contestng his seat. but the
chairman decided that it cannot hear the case
under the law, and therefore it must fall, and
the genial Bliss can remain in the calm and
quiet possession of his seat with none to con-
test or make afraid
The hearing in the Hurricane Island case
has been assigned by the committee on towns
for Friday next Gentlemen are here working
up the case and large delegations from Vinal-
haven and Hurricane are expected to be present
at the hearing.
An order was introduced in the House yes
terday, instructing the committee on public
buildings to see what changes are necessary in
the Representatives Hall to make it comfort
able and convenient. The same order might
be extended with propriety to the whole build
ing.
The fishery committee of the Legislature
will give hearing on Tuesday next on the
fishery bill reported by the Commissioner.
The committee on Judiciary have voted to
reporta bill putting the power of removing
police officers in Portland in the hands of the
Mayor and Aldermen.
The committee on state prison will visit the
prison on Wednesday of next week.
The committee on senatorial votes gave q
hearing on the Aroostook case this evening,
Madgan contesting for Barleghs seat,