The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1906-01-11
DRUGGISTS
IN ANNUAL
SESSION

There were two bits OF important busi-
ness transacted at the annual meeting
OF the Rhode Island Pharmaceutical So
ciety in swarts hall yesterday afternoon.
one of them was the discussion OF the
advisahility and the appointment OF a
committee 10 procure the passage OF a
new law regulating the drug business Of
the state. and the other was the decision
TO subscribe IA sum OF money TO contri-
butte 10 the American association for the
purpose OF erecting a memorial TO the
honor OF the man who stands as the
Father OF Pharmacy" in this country.
William Proctor, Jr.. this monument TO
be erected in the Smithsonian Institution
at Washington.
President John F. Croft called the ses-
sion TO order shortly after o'clock and
the reading or minutes OF the preceding
session was dispensed with. The usual
reports were then heard, among them be-
ing that OF the secretary. Mr. Charles II.
Dagger, 10 the effect that for the past
year there were 100 members OF the as
sociation in good standing and that two
OF them had died during the same time.
Arthur n. Sears, for the executive COM
mittee. then reported for that body. The
treasurer's report was received, IL being
given by the treasurer pro tenn, Mr.. L.
r. Cotton, the treasurer. Mr. William
Fenner. being absent on account of Ill
ness.
The executive committe" read n letter
OF regret from the treasurer. stating that
he was III and then the body passed
resolution Of sympathy and regret for
the absent.
The next business was the election Of
the officers for the next year and upon
recommendation OF the committee APP
pointed TO select them the results were
as follows: President. John +. Croft;
vice presidents, Charles III. Gladding OF
Providence. z. T. Write OF Newport s.
II. Hines OF Kent county. W. II. Bufting-
ton OF Bristol and A b. Collins OF Wash
ington: Charles H. Daggett was chosen
secretary and f. Il. Cotton treasurer.
The executive committee was made 10
consist OF Messrs. RI. A. Pierce, y. w.
Vars OF Westerly and A. J. Johnson, Jr.
A motion was then made TO pay the
treasurer for his services and 10 place
him under bond for performance OF his
duties. motion was also made TO In
stall the card system OF bookkeeping.
Then came the discussion OF the propo-
sition TO erect the monument IN honor or
the first pharmacist in America and the
man who has done 50 much by literary
contributions 10 advance the profession.
Mr. William Proctor, Jr., IL was stated
that this action was being taken by all
the associations OF the country and the
individual members were the cohtr.bu-
tors Upon motion the secretDry WAS m
structed TO prepare a formal letter ana 10
mail one to each member, stating tie
purposes and TO collect such con;r!ou-
tions as the members were willing TO give
and 10 forward the same 10 the mead
quarters OF the American association.
The question OF improved legislation
then came UP for consideration and
committee will be appointed by the presl-
dent who shall have the power TO draft
a bill emhodying the changes In the law
relating to druggists that Will meet the
present and the growing conditions.
During the discussion It developed that
the present law was passed as lar oack
as 1870 and was then but "a compromise
measure and only partially effective. In
IL the prosecutions for infractions or the
law result wholly with the state board
OF pharmacy and the expenses OF con-
Quoting the trials must fall upon them
and not the state. Nor has the attor-
ney general any power 10 act in the mat
ter. In addition 90 this the druggists
saw that IL is almost impossible from the
wording OF the present bill To secure any
convictions for illegal drug sales and
new law is needed.
About ten years ago there was an AT
tempt made TO have new law passed
but failure followed and now the NOM
hers of the association feel that there
Is such need for revision and they will
attempt tho same during the present ses-
sion of the legislature.