Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-07-10
STATE HOUSE,
.EniireAgency System Law
Was Not Repealed.
Agencies May Dispose Of The
Stock Now on Hand.
Maine Naval Reserves Will Embark
On Baitleshlp Nebraska.
STATE HOUSE CALENDAR.
Next Meeting of Governor and Council
Thursday, July 10, at 10 A. M.

-
The fact that the law abolfshing the
State liquor agency system, which be-
came effective July l, while legislating
out of existence the State agency sys-
tenn and the office of State liquor COM
missioner failed in terms to effect the
city OF town agencies, has given rise
to very peculiar situation in regard
10 the closing ;of these agencies and
several municipalities have written the
attorney generals office in order to as
certain. what shall be considered le-
gal method of procedure.
Governor Plaisted Saturday sent to
the selectmen or aldermen of the towns
and Cities maintaining liquor agencies
copies of the opinion of Attorney Gen
eral Pattangall, which is to the effect
that the agencies have right to do
business until they have disposed of
the stock, which they have purchased
from the State agency. Following a
copy of the letter sent by Attorney
General Pattangali to Governor Plais-
ted:
Hon. Frederick W. Plasted, Governor
of Maine. Augusta, Me
Dear Sir-Scvt raj inquiries have re-
Gently been made of me with regard to
the proper course to pursue with re-
gard to the closing of the town and
city agencies now doing business I'M
der Sections IA to So inclusive of Chap
ter % Of the Revised Statutes. and as
amended by Chapter 252 of the Public
Laws of 1909.
The last Legislature passed an act
repeating Sections IA to p of the chap
ter in question, but did not include in
the repeal Sections 26 to 81 ineusiveF
The repeating act entirely abolishes
the State liquor agency and the office
Of state liquor commissioner but does.
not in terms. effect city or town agen-
cies. This has given rise ta an impress
sion in some quarters that notwith-
standing the action of the Legisla ture
of 1911, city and town agencies may
still be maintained independent of the
State agency. think that this is
plainly an error. Although Sections &c
to 50 inclusive Of Chapter % are not
repealed. Your Excellency will notice
that UNDER Section SO, municipal Off
GERS and local agents are forbidden to
purchase liquor from any other source
than die State agency, and the State
agency being abolished no proper
could be supplied. 1t evidently was the
purpose of the Legislature TO permit
the existence ~ town and city agencies
long enough for the stock of liquors
now held by them to be sold. and such
agencies have right to continue do
ing business until they have disposed
of the stock which they purchased
from the State agency. After that stock
is sold they will necessarily go out of
business or become liable to indict-
ment ac common sellers under Section
a.. because of the provisions of Sec
tion 33.
should think it expedient for the
Executive department of the State to
notify each town and city now main.
tanning liquor agency of the mat
ters herein stated in order that all may
proceed uniformly and under com
mon understanding of the situation II
you deem il advisable to do so you are
at liberty to Have forwarded to each
of such cities and towns copy of the
letter
Yours very truly
w. r. PATTANGIALL.
Twelve agencies were in operation
in the State at the commencement of
the year 1911 Randolph. Auburn, Wis
easset, Portland, Bath, Phillips. Lew
iston. Bethel Pennington, Chelsea and
Gardiner Talk was made of invoking
referendum upon the act passed by
the last Legislature for the repeal of
the agency system but nothing was