Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1884-10-02
THE NORTHWEST.
JAMES G. BLAINE AN ULTRA PRO
HIBITIONIST.
Conclusive Facts From His Record.
let Liberal Men Read and Ponder.

let Liberal Men Read and Ponder.
Chapter l66 of the Laws of Maine.
1855, "An Act for the Suppression of
Drinking Houses aud Tipping Shops,
declared that the term intoXlcatiHg
liquor used IN the act meant and in
cluded ''every liquid preparation that
would produce intoxication-that no
such liquors should be sold except
for medicinal and mechanical uses by
agents duly appointed for that pur-
posa'-that one such agent might be
appointed for each town, city and
plantation-to sell "only for cash and
to keep an accurate account, "always
to be open to inspection" of every
sale by him made" name Of pur
chaser" purpose for which pur-
chased "the quantity, price and date
of sale''-.to give bonds with sureties
in q sum of not less than S600-that
any person selling, "by himself, clerk,
servant or agent" in violation of the
act, should pay a fine of $50 and costs
and be imprisoned 80 days for first Of
Tense, second offense, $40 and costs and
GO days Imprisonment; third offense,
$40 and costs and 80 days, and for the
foruth ,and every subsequent otfense, to
be deemed common seller and fined
5000 and costs, six months imprison-
ment.
Clerks, servants, agents. cor other
person IN the employment or on the
premises OF another" violating the
law, to be held equally gullty with the
principal and subjected to same pun
ishment
No apothecary or druggist to "keep
or use any such liquors for any other
purpose than the preparation of medi-
cines ordered by physician of sober
life and not addicted to the use of in
toxicating liquors." sc. A fine of
$I0O and costs and three months i'm
prisonment for first offense, and for
second and subsequent offenses 5000
and costs and six months in Jail or
house of correction.
Stage drivers, eXprPssmen, common
carriers, teamstels and other agents
were prohibited from carrying from
place to place any such liquors, ex-
eept for the agencies, under a penalty
Of $40 and costs for first otfense; $40
and costs and thirty days imprison-
ment for the second 5000 and costs
and three months for third, and $500
and costs and six months for fourth
and subsequent offenses.
Stringent provisions were provided
also for searching premises, seizlng
liquors and imposing fines and I'M
prlsonment.
INDoRSED BY MR.. BLAINE.
When that law was enacted James
G. Blaine was engaged in editing the
Kennebec Journal
An editorial in his issue Of March
30th of that year reads as follows:
"THE MAINE LAW AND ITS EXECUTION.
"The law carried out in it's spirit
and letter in no way stands IN the way
of, or in opposition to, other inau-
ences. 1t is an outgrowth Of moral
conviction and religious sentiment,
and draws its best force from its prim-
ary source in the human soul. 1t acts
in entire harmony with the lessons of
Christianity and all the best interests
Of humanity
s1s it too much to hope that the
officers chosen to be the agents and
servants of the people, to carry out
their will and do the labor which they
have marked out will faithfully per-
form their duties and guard we'll the
interests of those who have delegated
to them the solemn trusts? TIE law
in its amended form is just from the
hand Of the Legislature. Before 1t
becomes wasted by neglect or time, let
its temper be at once tried and its op-
erations tested. II its edge is not as
keen as Damascus blade and deli
cate as balr in its effect on the often
der, it will teach those who come in
contact with it, that public interests
are not to be sacrificed with impunity,
and that society is capable of protect,
ing itself against its assallants, and
justice sure to be avenged. 1t is pro
pitious for the cause of Temperance
and Of liquor prohibition, that it is nc
longer paralyzed and kept back by the
Indifference or opposition OF those tc
whom have been committed solemn
trusts as guardians Of public interests
and executors of the laws.
sfThat stern and resolute public
opinion which created the law, has ele
waited to power men who will not see
its voice disregarded and public inter
ests and rights trampled under foot
State, County and Municipal Officers
are ready and willing to throw theil
influence on the right side and mora