Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1878-02-26
The Town A0ency.

The annual March meeting is now at
hand, and one OF the questions which
will DO raised is "Shall the town OF Paris
have liquor agency9" Now there are
few facts which should receive due con-
sideration in deciding this question.
First, wines and spirits are in some
cases beneficial to the system II properly
used. There is not, We think, ply siclsn
in the county who has never prescribed
liquor to any OF his patients. Any man
accustomed to horses knows that rum is
an excellent thing to use upon them.
Every cabinet maker and painter needs
alcohol for his yarnishes. Every man
who ever had headache knows the
value of a solution OF campbor in alcohol
or run. These are only instances OF the
many proper uses to which spirits may
be put.
Secondly, there is great danger OF the
abuse OF these stimulants-s matter
which has been sufficiently discussed in
this S,ate-and consequently
Thirdly. the Legislature has forbidden
general sale of intoxicants and has sub
stituted therefor the agency system, for
the express purpose that persons needing
liquor may be able to purchase it without
violating the law. The act provides for
severe penalty to be recovered from
the agent breaking his statute regulation.
and the only trouble about the system
has been that the protested friends OF
temperance Gin Paris as eisewbere) who
are forever cursing the agencies, have
never troubled themselves TO see that the
penalty is enforced.
Fourthly, if we have no agency there
is no legal way for citizen Of Paris to
obtain a drop OF liquor tor any purpose
even though his wife or children are dying
for want of s,imulant sufficient to sus-
tain them through the critical moment Of
sickness A man is then forced to break
the law, and who shall say that bresking
oae law does not lessen his respect for all
laws?
Think over the question carefully, vo-
tiers OF Paris, without bias and without
prejudice. that you may come to the
polls and vote according to your own
convictions, regardless OF ell other iDaa-
euces.
As basis Tor consideration the follow
ing has been suggested, being declara-
ton OF the statute with one or two addi-
tional restrictions:
Whereas the Statutes OF Maine provide
for the establishment OF an agency 10
each town Of the State.
ReSOlrcl, That the town OF Paris
authorize its selectmen 10 hire a liquor
agent for the ensuing year in accordance
with the statute, paying him for his ser
vices The sum oil -- dollars. and
BsSoired. That this agent shall keep a
record in q book kept for the purpose. OF
the kind and quality of each kind OF in
toxicating liquor sold by him, specifying
the kind, quality, quantity and price OF
each sale. together with the signature OF
the purchaser OF the same; also memo
randum stating the purpose or purposes
/ tor which the liquor purchased by him Is
/ 10 be used which record is TO be open 10
the inspection OF any person qualified
TO complain against The agent for vio-
laiion OF the statute concerning town
liquor agencies.
/! would seem that some such resolu-
tions as these would unite all parties in
an attempt to carry ont the law OF estab-
fishing and by restricting 81 agency.
PARIS VOTER.