St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1880-02-20
Who Shall Sell Liquor---One Respon
sible Agent, or the DoctorsP

Sible Agent, or the Doctorsf
Mr.. Editor Il read with some sur
prise in the last issue of the index a
communication from one of the clergy
men of St. Johnsbury, recommending
the discontinuance of the liquor agen-
cy =; that all liquor to be used for medi-
cinal purposes should be compounded
by physicians. Is the gentleman ignor-
ant that very considerable portion of
the spirits sold at this agency is not ia
ken into the stomach at all-that it is
for external use without compromising ?
Does he not know that large amount
of spirits are used for mechanical pur-
poses and that no intelligent man has
ever claimed that any other article
could replace it for such purposes ?
Shall the physician sell liquor for such
purposes If not, whoq Would not
this be substituting large number OF
irresponsible agents for the one who is
now under the supervision of the Coun-
ty Commissioner and the select men ?
Would their sale of it for such purposes
in open violation of the statute, not
tend to destroy the sanctity of the law9
With the clergyman let us say, enc
traffic is so c0rrupting as that in rum"
and he adds "a community has no NOR
al right to ask an honest man to take
the position of liquor agent" Have
they any moral right to subject the
whole medical profession to this fierce
temptationq
Now 1 do not take quite so dOleful
view of human nature as does the cler-
gyman. 1 do believe that there are
doctors who would use it judiciously
and honestly, even though there was
profit in the traffic. And l know, and
we all know, there are those who claim
such titles who would make the worst
use of such trust if reposed in them.
Think of the extra hazard of giving
the seller himself the profit, and of the
temptation to such men to gain much
larger profits than are now allowed to
the towns, who through their agents
furnish it.
With reference to the physicians
compromising it for use, would not
some of our doctors draw it rather
mildly in the matter of compromising
and would not their diocese as "medica
executioners" be greatly extended
Even the compromising with nauseating
drugs, is no bar to it's use with confirm
ed drunkards who have keen appetites
but no distinguishing palates, and thi:
| is the class which most need the pro,
lection of the law. 1t is not complain.
ed that they get it at the agency. This
would be but another method of trying
to regulate the sale. Which method
gives promise of the greater success
Like everything else, it is liable tt
abuse, and always will be. Marriag,
has not been found to be altogether 4;
perfect invention, but up to the p1esen
writing nothing has yet been suggested
so far as l know which promises bette
success. Shall we therefore dispens'
with this institution altogether9 1t il
also suggested as an objection to thu
agency, that the agent can sell liquo
upon his own hook, as the phrase is
So he could if he were not agent. Blu
he is equally liable to be prosecuted
therefor, and much more exposed t.
detection. His registration of sale
must correspond to the quantity fur
nished. If he should sell without max
ing an entry of sale, he would be il
constant danger of detection. If Their
have been abuses they are only posi-
BILE when the matter is not properl
looked after by those whose duty it i
to see that the matter is properly con
Quoted.
| If the gentleman will point out som
better mode Of regulating the matte
than that now in use, he will find tn
temperance men will join heartily witt
him in substituting it for the tow
agency. TEToTALER.