Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1878-01-29
state Temperance Convention.

STATE temperance NVfsSS's'''
On Wednesday and Thursday the an
nual State Temperance Convention was
held at Augusta An unusual number oil
the leading temperance men Of the state
were present, brought out by the great
interest excited by the contest over the
Druggists Bill, hearing on which has
been held for several days before the Leg
islative Committee. Owing to the absence
of Gov. Conner on account Of slight indis-
position, Eli Jones, the venerable Quaker
preacher was called to preside on Wednes-
day. and at the evening session Uov'
Dingley took the chair.
Gen. Neal Dow presented views IN Ia
vor Of Selling liquors In process OF trans
portation.
Speeches we're also made by james \.
Hal Of Damariscotta, Rev. Father Ad-
anus of Winslow, Major f. ROwell Of
Hallowen and several reformed men.
Resolutions were unanimously adopted
expressing qualification at the success thus
far attained in the cause, due to the CON-
bined efforts Of the various Temperance
Societies. Reform Clubs, Churches, &c :;
regretting the prevalence Of the belief
that liquor is absolutely necessary as
medicine and affirming belief that
where public sentiment regards liquors as
indispensable in serious dSeases,no system
can be devised liable to so few abuses as
tina, Of town agencies. The fourth reso'
luton condemning the proposed law au-
thorizing druggists to sell Is as follows
Resolved; That We earnestly protest
against the passage Of the bill now before
the legislature, authorizing druggists to
sell malt and intoxicating liquors for
medical purposes. No law, however
guarded. which authorizes any class OF
men to sell, for their own profit, intoxica-
ting liquors, whether mixed or unmlxed,
under the guise Of medicine, can guard
AGAINST wholesale abuses which viii dan
gerOusly impair the efficiency ofthe Prohlb-
itory law. And a law ike the one pro-
posed-which lecalizes a large number OF
places Of sale in every city, which exacts
no bond Of the person so authorized, which
does not allow the withdrawal Of any IL
cense by municipal officers, which requires
no registration Of sales open 20 public IL
speetion, which contemplates no analysis
by State Assayer Of liquors sold, and
above al which makes il Tor the pecunla-
~ interest Of every druggist 10 sell al
that his conscience VIII Peruit---will event
ually injure the standing Of dvuggists,and
open this state to dram shop evils from
which It has largely escaped after forty
years fight against King Alcohol.
In addition TO this resolution Gen.
Neal Dow presented protest against the
Druggists Bill which also passed, thus
putting double seal Of condemnation on
the measure, on Thursday Gen. Dow
presented a memorial to the legislature
which reviewed the progress which had
been made in the cause Of temperance II
the past twenty years, and urged upon
the legislature the necessity Of adopting
further measures to repress the liquor
traffic.
The memorial was adopted and CON-
mittee Of which Gen. Dow was chairman,
was appointed to present it to the Legis.a-
ture. A State Executive Committee con-
sisiing of one from each county was chos-
en-. Of which Joshua Nye was made chaig-
man. f. c. Harrington OF Fryeburg was
elected for Oxford County.