The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1908-10-13
What 1t Is; What 1t Has Done; Why 1t
Should be Adopted and Opposition
Arguments Answered by F. F. Cain.

The people OF Oklahoma, by vote, adopted
as part of the Constitution, Prohibition for a
period of twenty-one years; which provides
that until amended that It shall be unlawful
for any person, individual or corporate. 10
manufacture. sell. barter or give away, or
otherwise furnish any Intoxicating louor of
any kind or to ship, or in any way convey such
liquors from one place TO another within this
State, etc
Provided: "That the Legislature may pro.
vide by law for one Agency under the super.
vision Of the State In each incorporated town
OF not less than Two thousand population IN
the State; and IL there be no incorporated town
OF Two thousand in any county in this State,
such county shall be entitled to have one such
agency for the sale of such liquors needed FOR
medical purposes" (Read the Consttution)
This Is the law voted by the people and the
only Prohibition law they did vote for No
provisions we're made for the sale Of airy
liquor, for any purpose. excepting they be sold
through the Agencies During the time that
iuteNened between the adoption of the Con
stitutIon and the passage of Senate Dill No. 81,
the law was continually violated by durs.
gists, doctors. and many others, through force
prosecute them, because Of the fact that the
Legislature would soon convene and adopt the
needed Agency law.
This the Legislature did by passing Senate
Bill No. 81. and the Maine Agency law, THAI
has stood the test Of time for almost half
century, with few needed amendments, was
adopted, including the establishment Of the
Agencies in towns OF Two thousand popula,
tion, ono in each county, etc
IT also proposed change in the Constiu
tion. by providing the Agencies may be estab-
lished in towns Of One thousand, or wherever
else Public Necessity Demands. The reason
for this is the fact that IN many counties
there IS but one Agency. some with no rail
ways and men often have to travel as mucn
as forty. and as high as eighty miles overland
TO obtain liquor Gor medicinal purposes. II the
Agency is a good thing and necessity for the
cities, 1t should be established wherever Pub
lie Necessity Demands. This is the only
respect wherein the measure proposes a change
in the Constitution. The Agencies were esta5.
llshed throughout the State, the agents we're
carefully selected from the best men and
women OF the counties as the law provides, and
have given universal satisfaction. No sale can
be made by an agent except for medical pur'
poses and then only when the purchasers have
a prescription from a reputable. licensed ply
slcIan, and after making q sworn aIldayit that
It p being bought for medical purposes. Every
bottle is labeled, numbered, and a record made
OF every sale. the prescription, and what for.
The Agent 10 placed under a One thousand
dollar bond and heavy penalty, as is also
the doctor.
No ngent in the State has violated his bond
or obligation. Not a single bottle has been
sold without the proper prescription and All
davt. No agent has failed 70 account for
every bottle intrusted to his care and for every
penny due the State.
No agency can be located in place not APP
proved by the Superintendent and there is not
one in the State a woman or child would hest.
tate to enter. The agents are ministers, drug
gists. groeermen, and many other classes of
honorable calling. The Agencies are simply
respectable places where a respectable man or
woman can buy strictly. pure. tested liquors
for medicinal and scientific purposes only