Year: 1871

OF MEssRs. KNAPP AND HASKELL of Portland, in
House of Representatives, on bill to repeal the
act creating State Liquor Commission.


Mr.. KNAPP in the course of his remarks on
the abolition Of the State Liquor Agency, said
| that when the matter was first presented be-
| fore the committee, leave. to withdraw was
granted on the supposition that it was a move
of the enemies of temperance; but on fur
ther hearing it was found to be the voice of the
true friends of temperance, by petitions and
facts, that were moving in the matter, solely
and purelyin the interest of the cause.


| Complaint came up from different sections
that there was great abuse in the Office by some-
| body connected Herewith. There was COM
plant and proof that impure liquors were sold
at the agency, at an enormous price, and even
good liquors of the same brand could be
bought 80 per cent. less at other places. The
bill of liquors sold to one of our cities showed
a charge of 81. per gal. for old rye whiskey
and other liquors in proportion. 1t was also
shown that in certain city, liquors intended
for unlawful sale had been seized, condemned
and ordered spilled, which upon being tested
were found superior to those on hand that
had been purchased of the State Agent. Upon
such a state of facts he saw no reason why the
matter should not be investigated. The agent
has all the opportunity one can possibly have
to be led away by avarice, which acts on all
equally upon the good and bad.


'Lead us not into temptation, is the lam
guage of the Scripture and the question is
whether the temptation had not better be re-
moved from our agent. 1t would seem that
his liquors should have been good as his COM
mission last year gave him over $4,000, yet
we find that he sold to less than one third of
the towns in that State. The towns will not all
purchase of him although they are under
heavy penalties for not so doing. Can the
agency be abolished without detriment to the
temperance cause? If so, abolish it; if not,
let us continue it, although not properly con-
Quoted. olThey say the agent is good man
and was formerly minister of the Gospel.
This is no argument in keeping him with such
unlimited powers. If he was not mistaken
we once had minister for State Treasurer
who Pecked the treasury to the tune of hun
dred thousand dollars. However he thought
we should not act rashly in the premises.
Mr.. HASKELL of Portland defended the
character of the State liquor commissioner
from the insinuations of the gentleman from
East Livermore. He said Mr.. Shaw was a
constituent of his, and from personal acquaint-
ance he knew him to be gentleman Of ster-
ling integrity. He protested against an at
tack by insinuations. If an attack was to be
made it should be something tangible, that
friends may have a chance for refutation. As
regards the State liquor agency, he thought tin
direct opposition to the interests of the State
and of the temperance cause, and he was sur
prsed that the Legislature has suffered this
State disgrace SO long. He maintained that
town agencies can purchase elsewhere as good
liquors and as cheap, as much, if not more to
their satisfaction He did not believe this State
agency favored by majority of the people,
but if it is what its friends claim there should
be three, one at Portland, one at Bangor and
one at Augusta. He trusted and believed
that the Legislature would abolish the Office
by a large majority.