The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1893-01-30
Mr.. LIBBY's POSITION.
Favors a Druggists Bill, but Strongly OPP
posed to the Present Draft.

TO tie Editor of the Press:
/ have not intended to concern myself
with the Druggists bill, but I find that
some of my acquaintance who have
known my views take it for granted that
am in favor of this bill.
They are correct in thinking that fa-
vor repeating the agency system. | look
upon the liquor agency system as can
cor upon the prohibitory law which must
be repealed OF the law itself viii be des-
troyed. The druggists are the natural
and best channel through which liquors
can be supplied for purposes contem-
plated by the law and the constitutional
amendment.
Experience in Kansas has proved that,
while human nature can of course not
be trusted, it is possible to frame an act
under which responsible druggists will
supply liquors for lawful purposes with
out turning their places of business into
dram shops.
But in the bill now before the legisla-
ture 1 see nothing but disappointment
and trouble. The most disreputable reg
istered apothecary in the State can de-
mand license as a matter of statute
right and once licensed his license can
not be revoked except upon the con-
certed movment of ten people.
Under former druggists bill in Kan
sas drug shops were no better than tip
ping shops. The stringent features
which have made the present Kansas
druggists act success as viewed from
the standpoint of law abiding citizens
are apparently all of them omitted from
the draft now before our legislature.
In Kansas, instead issuing a license as
matter of right to every applicant, its
issuance is purely in the option of the
Judge of Probate acting as he considers
best for the welfare Of the community.
No license can be issued unless the
druggist first shows that he has stock
of drugs worth thousand dollars, and
also presents petition signed by twenty
five reputable women living in the ward
n which his place of business is located.
Only the druggist himself or such of
his clerks as are registered apothecaries
can sell liquor.
The record of the sale states the per-
son who is to use the liquor and the par
ticular disease or purpose for which it is
to be used.
The licensed druggist is er oficio a
magistrate qualified to administer oaths,
and every purchaser must make oath to
his application of liquors.
The license is liable to be taken from
him at the mere option of the Judge of
Probate with no other evidence than
what the Judge considers sufficient to
show that the neighborhood does not re-
quire continuance of the license.
All these safeguards in the Kansas act
are omitted from the proposed law in
Maine.
The danger in druggists act is that
disreptuble persons under the guise of
druggists will sellifliquors for drinking
purposes. see nothing under the pres
ent draft that furnishes any safe reliance
against this danger.
Just at this time public sentiment is
very much in favor of druggists bill,
and if the druggists of Maine want the
Kansas act they can und ubtedly have it;
but if they want an act which will enable
the nearest members of their calling to
conduct saloons under the guise of apoth-
ecary shops they ought not to get it from
the legislature of Maine, or if they do
will have it taken from them two years
later. G, THORNTON LIBBY.
Portland, Jan. 27.