Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1872-02-06
Otforo Democrat.
The Peek Bond Case.

The Oxford Register copies short al
iicle from the Belfast Republican Jour
nal, (democratic) headed Don't do 1t,
/. e. don't relieve the two petitioners who
ask the Legislature for relief as PecS's
bondsmen. The men are Hon. Neal Dow
and j. B. Cummings, OF Portland, the
only two signerS OF the Bond who have
property-the latter being OF moderate
means.
The cases are substantially rs follows
At the close of the year 1858 Legislative
committee examined the rreasurer'S
books, and reported to the Legislature
that his accounts were correct, and the
Treasurer was re. elected. Upon this GER
tiicate and endorsement OF the State, he
obtained sureties for 1859, among whom
were two Of the smeties for 1858. At
the close OF 1859 large deficit was dis
covered and the Sureties Of that year paid
promptly q large amount-the two sure
ties Of 1858 paying their share During
the investigation growing oui OF this de-
alcatjou, it was found that there was
really deficit in the accounts of lSjS, OF
nm amount not easy 10 fix precisely, and
i'm fact. the amount has never been def
uitely aScertaiued.
The surelies of 1873, who had been as
surcl. thirteen months before, by the
State. shat il had no claim against them,
and two of whom, on the strength of that
assurance. had lost rs suyeties for 1889,
were notified of this fact, and a suit COM
meuccl against them-too late to avail
themselves OF the property Of The Treas
mcr. which had at that time been attach
cl by other parties The case has been
pending in court for some years
ia the meantime. the Attorney Gener'
Sis, IN their reports to the Legislature.
have recognized the equities aud hard
ships of the case, and have repeatedly
advised it, reference to a commission for
settlement. The Legislature once refer
red it 10 the Governor and Council. One
Of the suleties who now petitions for re
lief. presented himself before the Ccun.
oil, but through al unfortunate misunder-
standing the others failed 10 appear
Subsequently the Legislature referred It
20 a commission consisting OF three per
sons, one of whom was soon after taken
i,l, aud, after protraoted illness died
Within few months it was discovered by
TWO Oh the SurctieS that no attachment OF
real estate was made when the suit was
brought: and that, though nj that time all
tue suretieS were able to respond, al bit
t,r5 hare since been oUertakeH and rttiHed
JI e9mmerciai disasters. and if the State
exact, lul payment, these two gentlemen
viii be compelled 10 pay not only their
own proportional part OF the deficiency,
bU; in addition, the proportional part OF
the boudsmen, who, in the long years OF
delay that have ensued, have become in
solycut-a sum amounting in the aggIe-
gate, We believe, to upwards of $4,000.
And now these two parties, who, by 4
somewhat strange coincidence, arc the
same ones who were led by the State to
lose SIS boudsmen for 1889, ask the Legis-
M.urc for equitable consideration.
HJi> argued lha, Mr.. Dow had accom-
modations from air. Peck; the reply Is
that they were such a. are usually otfcl-
ed go bondsmen in such eases. and the
STATE suffered nothing on that account
II It is said, the bondSmen resoEted to law
o. avoid their liabilities; the reply is, that
the question OF liability was difficult one
to dctermiue-,he bondsmen Of the two
years being different men. and the Courts
had to be resorted to, 10 determine what
was due on each year. Mr.. Dow has a.
WAYS KEEP, his property open, and while
the others have become irresponsible, it
would be hard indeed. to take nearly all
the Accommodations Of life of industry,
because he i technically holden.
O.her considerations, in Mr.. BOWS
ease, might be brought in. which have
weight though not specially urged, that
we are aware OF. VIZ: that Nh Dow has
done lac State and the cause of humanity
some good by years OF uurequiIed labor
in lifting fallen men from degrade
tion and ruin, aud promoting, by his en-
ergy and clo4uence as q lecturer, the
grea, reform of temperance. Such men
have truly imposed debt of eternal
gratitude upon their country, and deserve
considerations which other men do not
but. as we remarked, the prayer Of the
petitioners is not put on such grounds.
but on those of equity.