Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1909-07-28
Liquor Handling by Druggists.

Gle by F. J. Kinney Of Orleans. at the
recent state meeting of pharmacists
'For the past few months there has
been an increased agitation through
out our own country and. in fact, in
many of the other countries of the
world, concerning the temperance
question, including not only the sale
of liquors but also opium, cocaine, and
morphine as we'll.
This question is vital one and
directly interesting in various ways to
each and every druggist both fnan-
cially and, above all, morally and pro-
feSsiOnally.
"It is fast becoming acute as there
is more or less prejudice and suspicion
against drug stores, thus endangerlng
the reputation of each and every one
of US.
1.-The present situation is indirectly
result of the adjustment of saloons
in many sections of the country, not
affecting US so forciEly in Vermont
perhaps as in some other states, where
it is understood that many ex-saloon
keepers open saloons under drug store
disgui e, thus deepening the wide
spreading belief that drug stores il.
general sell liquor illegally.
"But although we may not be direct
ly affected from such conditions in our
own state, yet our influence as state
organization will have strong ten
dency to help other organizations in
the decisions concerning the question.
1.-The closing of saloons turns GER
tain class of trade to drug stores. thus
indicating that the next best place to
obtain liquor is drug store. and VIII;
blot on our profession of pharmacy
and what an unenviable position for
an honest, conscientious pharmacist
"Should we not, as members of our
profession, take time and courage at
just such a gathering as this to look
the situation fairly and sQuarely in
the face and endeavor to decide upon
some definite means of handling the
proposition?
"Shall we consider the advantages
and disadvantages of handling liquors
in drug stores? And the writer would
be pleased if this article might be the
cause of good, lively discussion on
the subject in hand, thus giving all
present an opportunity to forward any
suggestions andsideas.
1.-The first generally acceded ad-
vantage of liquor sales in drug stores
is this: This is the place where med
icines and sick room requisites are OBJ
tanned and. of course, liquor is certain.
ly necessary many, many times and
doubt if any of US would be without it
in our homes to guard against en-
ergencies, but, / believe there are a
few large towns in our state where
there are no druggists licenses, al
though the same towns have not even
| saloons, and /, for one, would be pleased
to hear from the druggists of these
towns as to their opinions concerning
the helpful or detrimental effects to
their business by having no licenses.
eff the people of no license towns
can secure liquors, why can they not
send away from any of our towns and
secure them, in fact, we would be
better off if many of these people
would do the same thing rather than
come to US to furnish them This, by
the way, refers to an undesirable
element which exists in nearly every
town but our town. you know.
Perhaps some of this very element,
and, in fact, some of the better class
are already sending away for their
goods, but, no doubt. we have all had
the same old story repeated to US,
when they get short and come to us in
J their extremity, that they can buy
such and such goods at just what they
actually cost US and We pay the freight.
Think of it-mail order competition
in liquors and we must pay our license
fees and some Others if We happen to
get caught
"Secondly: We wish to handle liqu-
or in Our drug stores to accomm odate
our patrons. and, Of course, this is a
privilege which We may appreciate iii
view of the fact that many desire it
for strictly medicinal use and feel that
their druggist is not inclined to abuse
that privilege and confidence given him.
''But at the same time, there are
certain ones in this class, as we all
know, who, although they help form
temperance laws, do not seem to real
ize that state and government laws
in regard to liquors were made for
them but are especially applicable to
some one or every one else, and these
very same people will feel greatly in
jured if the druggist cant sell me
what liquor | need and can accept nc
explanation from the druggist as to
why he cannot lay himself liable to a
fine or Imprisonment. But how dra.
hands in horror when a druggist is
/,
"A third striking reason for hand
ling liquor in drug stores is the finan
cial gain or profit, and right here is ar
opportunity to closely question cul
own selves and find if we are in dan.
: ger of being trifle over Jealous il
the financial end of the transaction.
. Of course we are not in bushes:
consisting of cut prices, close confine
ment and long hours simply for oul
own health but solely for the health
! OF others, and incidentally for wha
meagre returns our business may
e afford US. However, if the power!
, that be- should levy liquor tax which
more than covered our profits OF
liquors. have an idea we would con
!, slider the profit part Of the transaction
{, and disregard our deep concern for tn
. physical welfare of our delicate pa.
. rOns.
. "Thus again our scruples and pocket