Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-11-05

was not possible for him to follow each
customer to find if he really did use
the liquor legtmately. When he had
reason for believing that all was not
straight he always refused to sell.
There has been some criticism regard
ing the quantities that have been sold
to one customer, as some of these have
seemed unreasonably large to some
At the meeting, Mr.. Colby stated that
the largest amount he had sold at any
one time was $40 worth of high class
brandy. This was on a doctors pre-
scription and to a man from South
China.
When asked, Wednesday, if it would moi
be possible to prevent some of the abuse
by selling only in small quantities to each
customer. Mr.. Colby explained the OBJ
stacle i'm this way. A good many from
chase liquors at the agency and as fan
as he knows for strictly legitimate pur-
poses. Some one who lives a long dis
lance out of the country and who comes
to the city only occasionally may call al
the agency and purchase enough to last
them several months for medicinal pur-
poses. He did not consider it right to linn
it these people to small quantity at one
time.
Then in cases of sickness where alcohol
is used for bathing, purchasers usually
want to get enough to last some time
rather than to keep running to the agency
every day or two. He could think OF
numerous other conditions where it would
be strictly legitimate to purchase a con-
siderable quantity for strictly legitimate
q no hot hn Sivl
of single sales could be regulated with
justice to every one.
From the experience thus far it seems
to be established that under the prescrip-
ton basis or not it is comparatively easy
to deceive the agent and in spite of his
best endeavoring to prevent it. This does
not seen so debatable as some other
phases. Some claim that it would be
comparatively easy to prosecute at leas:
a few who practice deception. while 9th
crs. including some who have seriously
studied the matter, believe that this
would be very difficult, claiming that it
prohibitory law and that much the same
obstacles would be encountered.
The amount of liquor purchased at the
agency and used for a beverage only is
another mooted question and one that
does not seem capable of a settlement
Some claim that the amount is very large
while others declare that it is small. Some
seem to believe that much of the drunk
agency. while others say that only a part
at least can thus be accounted for and
that the bulk is to be traced to other
sources. Some believe that pocket ped
ding is rife just at present, and others
that the town is not as dry" as it may
SEEM AT any rate there is drunkenness
enough. although probably less than ma
be found in other cities as large
So now after nearly every policy has
been tried. that of closing the agency up
tight for a stated period. which seems
given a chance and the results closely
watched. 1t is hoped that in this wa
some idea of the amount of illigitimata
use of liquors obtained at the agency may
be gained and what the general effect of
its operatio is. Hence the situation is an
especially interesting one just at present.
If the vacation of so days can prove or
disprove some of the disputed points il
will be considered well worth while. 1t
is expected to show something anyhow.
and just what this will be time will tell