Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-03-03

A liquor agency bill making radical
changes in the State agency system
was introduced Tuesday in the Senate
by Senator Milliken, of Aroostook
Senator Mlliken, who was then in the
House was a member of the special
committee of the 73d Legislature to
! which was referred the Heselton liquor
agency bill The special committee
consisted of Senators Sewal of
Sagadahoc, Staples of Knox. Repre-
sentatives Miliken of Island Falls.
Reynolds of Winslow, Newbert Of Au-
gusta. Giddings of Gorham, Skidmore
Of Liberty and Stevens of Portage
Lake. The committee after an ex-
tended investigation, covering a period
Of more than year, during which the
State agency system was thoroughly
Investigated, and the affairs of the
State liquor agent and those of the
various town agents gone into in de-
tail, and a number Of hearings held,
presented a divided report, with only
one member of the committee favor
ing the present system. The COM
mittee presented no bill but left it to
the present Legislature to frame what
ever legislation it might deem neces-
sary. The majority of the committee
presented a report favoring a number
of changes in the system, the greater
part Of which are including in the
Milliken bill, such as direct purchase
OF the liquors by the State, competI-
tive bids, the keeping of less grades of
liquor The Miliken bill also requires
a physicians certificate, which was
opposed by the majority of the COM
mittee, but favored by Mr.. Miliken
The minority report, which Was
presented by Representatives Newbert
and Skidmore declared the entire
agency system to be discredited and
severely arraigned the office of State
liquor commissioner Representative
Giddings of Gorham filed brief
statement advocating the retention of
the present law.
The act introduced by Senator
Milliken is entitled, An Act to regulate
the purchase and sale of Intoxicating
liquors by the State liquor commits
sioner and by town agents The act
provides that the State liquor COM
missioner under the direction of the
Governor and Council shall purchase
for the State at the expense of the
State a sufficient stock of liquors to
supply the demands of all duiS
authorized town and city agencies Tor
not exceeding three months. The
stock may jrcude alcohol two grades
of whiskey, one grade of rum, and one
grade OF wine, all of standard brand
and quality, and guaranteed under the
United States laws relating to FOODS
and drugs. Twice a year the State
liouor commissioner shall advertise for
sealed proposals for supplying inc
liquors and the contract shall DC
awarded to the lowest bidder. All
bills for liquor purchased in accord
ance with the provisions of this act
shall be paid by the State treasurer
after they have been certified by the
State auditor and approved by the
Governor and Council Section pro-
vides that the liquor commissioner
with the APPROVAL of the Governor and
Council shall fix the prices at which
liquor shall be furnished to the city
and town agencies not above five per
cent Of the cost of the liquors 10 the
State.
Section provides THAT the liquors
purchased by the commissioner snail
he in sealed bottles, casks or othef
packages of convenient size ana whel
sold to the city or town agencies snail
he reshipped in the original bottles
casks or packages with the seals un-
broken. Every package as soon as the
same is received by the commissioner
shall be labeled with the name OF the
state. the name of the contractor, the
date of invoice and the serial number
and such other words as the Governor
and Council may require
The act further provides that the
CITY or town agent. subject to the APP
nroyal of the Governor and Councll
shall fix the retail price of the liquors
60 that the net profits to the town
shall in no case exceed 20 per cent.
The agent shall not sell intoxicating
liquor to any person except on the
written prescription Of any reputable
physician, which prescription sndli
state the name Of the person. who is 70
purchase liquor, the name OF the per-
son for whose use it is required, ana
shall be signed by physician. NC
nhysician shall issue such prescription
excent for medicinal use. The act shall
take effect July 1, 1909, and any viola
tion Of the provisions of the act shall
be punished by Imprisonment for not
less than 60 days, nor exceeding one
year.
Representative Wing of Auburn IN
the House Tuesday morning moved
the postponement Of the entire list o.
insane hospital resolves, 10 in number
| until Friday, March IL. Representa-
tive Weld of Old Town spoke against
the motion and on a division being
taken the motion Of Representative
Wing was lost by vote of 50 to 80
| Representative Rounds Of Portland
| moved the special assignment Of The
resolves for Friday, March 5. Repre-