Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-11-22

NJ. Speetai MeetIng OF Governor and
Council, Friday, Nov. "a, at q p. M.
To still retain Names prohfbitorv
amendment IN modified form and
most of the nrohibitory statutes of the
state ana yet at the same time give a
system of high license for the larger
municipalities, and the smaller ones
also, II they want it. is the legislative
ANOMALY with which the Democratic
leaders nave been wrestling. since
Governor Plaisted first announced that
he would call the Legislature together
IN special session to give the cities To-
cal option.
Although the drafting of the pro-
posed legislation has been kept pretty
Duch OF secret, some Of its pro
visions have leaked out from time to
time especially as to the kind Of sa-
loon that WAS Ia obtain and the NAN
ner IN which the liquor was sold, but
1t was not until within the present
week that the definite form, which the
proposed law is to take, has been men
toned by anyone at all close to the
present administration, and then only
IN very guarded manner
From the Information received, it is
reasonably safe to say that the new
law, first of all Will be combination
OF nuiet and local option law. similar
to that now obtaining i'm the state of
Iowa. 1t was AT first proposed To nut
the limit of the municipalities that
could legally quench their thirst at
10000 and then at 1000. but even shat
number was not sufficiently low to sat
isfy those desiring the fastening of the
liquor traffic upon the State. The lat
est census figures show that only -
places in Maine would come outside
of the 1000 limit, is or the % cities and
J. towns. Therefore. ii is proposed to
have provision in the new local OPP
ton law and in the proposed amend
nent to the constitution that towns
under 1000 population may avail them
selves af the law upon petition signed
by IS per cent. of the legal voters OF
such a town.
The proposed law VIII be In effect a
high license law, allowing those who
comply with it's provisions to engage
in the traffic without suffering tho
penalties provided by the prahihitorN
law. Tho mulct tax Will probably Be-
5 in the neighborhood of $500, ore tax
assessed against the occupant, and an
other against the owner of the build
ing. The revenue from the tax will
he turned into the county treasury.
one~half To be returned to the munich
patty in which the saloon is loea ted.
F "A clause undoubtedly will be insert
cd in tine law. stating that Nothing
in this act shall in any way be con-
E strued to mean that the business OF
the sale OF intoxicating liquor is in any
way legalized, nor is the same to be
construed in any manner of form as
n license, nor shall the assessment or
payment Of any tax protect the person
paving it from penalty. except that in
consideration thereof, certain penalties
may be suspended
Each person who proposes TO engage
in the sale of Intoxicating liquor and
pay the annual mulct tax will first be
obliged to file bond of $4,000 with the
county treasurer by means of which
the county may be protected against
any damage that may result by the
sale, of intoxicating liquor upon the
premises occupied by the person Civ
ing the bond.
No saloon win be allowed within a
certain prescribed distance of Il church
or school and the saloon itself will be
a slngle-room building located ON a
business street, with unscreened bar.
No gambling will be allowed and no
female will be allowed to be employed
within the saloon. No sales will. be
permitted to minors, intoxicated per-
sons, or those who are habitually in
toxicated. The saloons will be required
to close at 10 p. NJ, and to keep closed
during Sunday, holidays and election
days.
Such, in brief, is the liquor law that
is being seriously considered in certain
quarters as a means by which Maine
may still retain some of its prohibitory
statutes and yet legally engage in the