The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1883-06-20
LIQUOR IN MAINE.
A Picture Of n Town Agency In tho DiriGs
state and the Manner In which Il is Run.
From the Bath independently

From the Bath independently
II is a prevalent opinion among many
that the city agency is place where our
respectable citizens obtain their rum.
This is fact, inasmuch as nobody who
is known to abuse liquor is allowed to
obtain any from the agent. Upon the
counter Of the small shop in Music Hall
block are two books, in one of which
goes down the name Of every person who
purchases liquors, with the amount paid,
the quantity of liquor purchased, the
kind, etc. These boob are open to in
spection by all. Behind the counter are
casks Of rum, whisky, etc., and the
heads are covered with small bottles filled
or empty. 1t is picture, in fact Of
m old-fashioned barroom, and differs
only in the restriction imposed.
Any individual known to the agent as
nm abuser OF liquor never gets drop.
Hard cases now and then drop in and
argue with yehemcnce only known TO
thirst, hut In vain. Mr.. Tarbox is up to
most OF the lodges. In order to obtain
liquor II n not necessary to obtain in all
cases physicians certificate. II man
is known favorably he may obtain lis
spirits without the additional cost of
physicians prescription. 1t is interest.
ing to turn over the pages Of the register
Of names and notice the frequency with
which certain parties, most emincntly
temperate and respected obtain their
supplies. A large number purchase once
or twice each week, another class uso
only half pint in two weeks, presum.
ably, as they state, for medicinal or
cooking purposes. The names of the
persons which rccur frequently are those
Of cmincntly temperate persons, who
prove by their lives that they properly
use liquor. Alderman Elliott, who has
charge OF the agency, purchases only the
best liquors from the State agency. Mr..
Elliott informed our scribe that he per.
sonally had never touched drop of
liquor of any kind in his life, and yet
Mr. Elliott has obtained for the Bath
agency in spite of this failing, the best Of
liquors, as Agent Tarbox says. During
the past few years the liquors have given
entire satisfaction.
In stock are the following liquors,
with prices by the gallon and pint
llum, $3.50 per gal; 80 cts. per pint.
Whisky, 81, IS and $3.50 per gal; 3d. 60 and
10 cts, per pint.
Gin, "A per gal 60 cts per pint.
Brandy, 10 and Is per gal so cts. and u
per pint.
Alcohol, SO per GAL. ~ cts. per pint
California wines, $3.50 per gal. 40 cts. per
pint.
Imported wines, 80 and &c per gal. 10 and
81 cts. per pint.
Jamaica rum, 90 per gai.
Porter s2.75 per doz. pints rs cts. per pint.
Porter Si.5O per doz. quarts
Bass's ale, the same AZ porter.
| Cherry brandy, Il per pint.
Export lager, SIPS per doz. pints two bot
ties for rs cts
Among the wines are madeira, old port,
and sherry, for use entirely in sickness.
The value of the stock on hand varies
from $500 to 81 900, ahd no insurance is
put upon either it or the agency.
The prices are placed ut about % per
cent. above the actual cost of the liquor
when placed in the agency, and the
design is to sell at cost which shall
simply cover expenses. Last year few
hundred dollars were cleared, and this
was covered into the city treasury. This
year it will be the same, owing to in
crease in population, and next year there
will he probably scaling down of prices.
The agents salary is $3.50. Out Of
this he has to ply the rent of the agency,
which at present is $50; fuel and light
cost $50 more, 40 That it leaves the agent
$3.50. Take from this house rent 800,
and IL doesn't leave very magnificent
salary. Certainly not equal to the income
of the rest Of the liquor agents in town.
Mr.. Tarbox tells us that many funny
incidents occur. Heightened ladies', for
instance, will come in for liquor and beg
not TO have their names put in that horrid
book. But their names go down just
the same if they get their tonic.
When out-of-town parties buy, they
have to bring IN order from the select
men of their town in order to obtain
their liquor.