Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-01-25
Another Hearing on the Apothecary pnl.

Another Hearing on the Apothecary NIL.
The committee on Temperance Of the legisls-
ture gave another hearing last evening, in Rep
sentatives' Hall, on the apothecsry bill, the hall
being crowded with ladies and gentlemen, inter-
esed in the matter under consideration. The
chairman announced that this evening would be
devoted to hearing the opponents Of the bill.
| Mr.. Nye SAID they proposed tonight to intro
| duce ref jrmed men, who had forsaken their cups,
and who formerly procured their liquors at apoth-
| eearies.
Il. 5. Kelly of Winthrop, thought the people
! did not call for the amendment. Twenty five
years of his life had been thrown away
! by rum, and his first glass and last WAS
| from spOthecary shops of high standing
Had drank in almost every village in Maine,
and would say that 80 out of every 100 drug
shops are ium shops. The apoihecary's circular
| is signed by spothecary who had sold him
rum repeatedly. He thought the passage Of the bill
would open Hood gates, and drag down many re-
| formed men. The prohbitory law is the saliva
ton Of our reformed men, Thought 1t would
be as reasonable to give grocers right TO sell.
Thought there are some apothecares who are
honorable men. In regard to physicians pre-
scr1ptlons, be knew a physician who would give
| an order for rum for 10 cts. The physicians of
Maine are OF high standing, but they are too
free with their prescriptions for whskey.
Thought DIR. Gerrish must have an in6nite mind
II be could KNOW n he said, whether alcohol
had ever saved life. lie read origi-
nal poem on the "Drugglsts Bill.
Jordan Rand Of Lisbon, had CONNIE need drink
ing rum III drug store, buying Of man with
shiny hat and nice coats. All the folks over
his way were opposed to liquor selling. lie
spoke with great enthusiasm, and his remarks
caused uproarous applause.
Mr.. A. {. Otis of Winthrop, said that when the
petition was first presented ID him, it seemed
quite plausible it seemed proper that apo hecaries
should keep liquors; but he had now made up his
mind that the evils growing out of it, greatly
oveIbalanced the good Very many spothecaries
are to-day selling liquor in defiance OF law; and
when we give them the right to keep liquors, and
compound the same, 1t would be very dangerous.
he glitter Of respectability about the apothecsry
shop would form great temptation TO the youth.
If liquor agencies are bad, then this bill multplles
agencies. Thought The law would kill the reform
clubs
n. B. Mutt, Esq, Of Eastport, had made this
his first visit TO Augusta on account of the drug
gsts BILL to which he was opposed. Thought we
were discussing a dead measure. The passage of
this act Is equivalent to repeal of the prohibitory
law. If the druggists all honest to-day, this
law will make them dishonest. as it will appeal TO
their self interests.
Rev. Campmestlng John Allen made a charac-
terstic speech.
Rev. MIR. LeLacheur of Hallowell, appealed to
the committee as minister of the Gospel, in OPP
position to this bill that ad been sprung upon the
legislature Thought there was liquor enough
now sold for medicinal purposes. Do not multi.
ply f.cIltles for getting liquors. Apothecaries
now abuse the powers they have; confident that
the republican party In which the temperance men
have pat their trust, will not 20 back on the
reform movement. III igher than that, he believed
that God would hear the prayers that were going
up.
Gen. Neal Dow said this movement was one of
amazing eifrontery on the part OF druggists. The
whole movement is fraud. The public not
IN favor Of licensing apothecaries good comes
from the liquor traffic; 1t Is opposed to every in
terest. Apothecai les have become SO demoral-
lied by their trade that they have the presumption
to ask for this thing. The medical adm inistra-
ton OF alcohol Is all a sham. he cited Engli
authorities to prove that such medicines kill, and
not cure. The drug shops worse than the low
grog shops. and he would not think OF licensing
them. lie would sooner advocate a law allowing
men TO rob, than to pass this bid.
MIR. Nye made a lew closing remarks. He said
that during the temperance convention just closed
no one bad come forward to advocate tue bill, but
the universal voice was aganst 1t.
The committee then adjourned to this afternoon
At three O'Clock, when hearing will be bad in
Representatives Hall, on future temperance legs
lsuon. TIE other side will be heard ON Friday
evening.