New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-04-08
MANI z.
THE PIONEER PROHIBITORY LAW.
NUMBER OF INHABITANTS TO SQUARE MILE, 10
LARGEST CITY. PORTLAND, 31413-TO-
TAI POPULATION, 64s936-AREA,
5000 SQUARE MILES

TAI POPULATION, CAS- 936-AREA,
5000 SQUARE MILES
The present prohlbltory law Of Maine Is the growth
Of over thirty five years. Since 1851, when the Or
icinal law was passed., there have been moro than
forty statutes in reference to the sale of intoxicating
liquors In 1884 the voters of the State decided by
vote of 10 7s3 TO 23s11 to put into their constitu
ton provision forever prohibiting such salo within
the State The statutes this subject are similar
to those in other Prohibition States, with respest to
the means adopted to prevent the sale The build
ings in which sales made declared nusances
both the proprietor of the place whore the sales are
made and the owner who allows the premises to be
80 used are liable to fines exceeding 81 900, or to
Imprisonment not exceeding one year Every hotel
keeper gives bond in 5000 not to sell liquor. To
provide liquor for necessary purposes the Governor
appoints a commissioner x to furnish municipal Off
GERS of towns this State, and duly authorized agents
of other States with pure uDadulterated intoxicating
LIQUORS to be kept and sold for medicinal mechanioai
and manufacturing purposes Tho commissioner
sells at an advance OF seven per cent over cost He
Is under $4,000 bonds for faithful performance lie
keeps official record Of the data OF all sales The
local authorities who purchase OF the commissioner III
turn appoint some suitable person agent for the
sale in that town, village or city. The agent Is COM
pensated by the authorities, but he has no interest In
the profits He also keeps careful records OF all sales
the kind use date person to whom scd The agent
is under 5000 bonds He IS not to sell TO any minor
with parents or guardians authority, to any lniIan
soldier, drunkari or intoxicated person. Tho friends
of Incorporate persons give notice to the local author
files, who forbid their agent selling to him.
manufacturer within the State OF intoxicating
liquor except cider" and the sellers of such, shall
be imprisoned two months and fined 81 ,0o0.' In
defining intoxicating liquors forbidden to be sold
the statute says: "Wine ale, porter strong beer,
lager beer and all other malt liquors and cider when
kept or deposited with intent TO sell the same for
tipping purposes, or IA beverage unless In guam
titles Of five gallons more, delivered and taken
away at one time, as well all distilled spirits, are
declared intoxicating within the meaning of this chap.
ter" The penalties for selling unlawfully vary from
fine Of $50 or imprisonment for thirty days TO q
fine of 500 and Imprisonment for four months. The
provisions for search warrants TO search suspected
premises and for the seizure and confisc alton of
liquors found unawfuly intended for sale are strict
An Intoxicated person may receive punishment rang
ing from fine OF $40 to imprisonment for three
months. A member Of a drunkard's family or any
other person injured by his noxicatlon may have an
action for actual and exemplary damages against the
seller.
THREE REPUBLICAN GOVERNORS ON THE LAW,
Governor Robe in his message to the Maine Legis-
lature in ss5 said Of the Maino Liquor Law
Criminal statistics show that tho law hos been
beneficial In restraining crime and the number Of I'm.
ali our courts and the fines and costs, or sentences
OF imprisonment imposed, prove the general will
ingness OF the people 10 assist In its enforcement
|. . In few localities Its general enforcement Is